Transact yesterday announced that it is to be the first Internet service provider in Bermuda to offer secure email and full web access to the wireless BlackBerry handheld.

Bill Dickinson, senior vice-president, sales and marketing for Igility Ltd., parent company of Transact, said: ?This is a significant move in the direction of providing the consumer and small business in Bermuda with complete mobility, at a price they can afford.?

The company said that until now only businesses that purchase and install the BlackBerry Enterprise Software (BES) were capable of achieving the full benefits of the BlackBerry, a hand-held phone-cum mini-computer.

Transact said that this can be expensive if purchased outright, but now customers can subscribe to Transact and pay a small monthly fee and still receive all the benefits.

The Transact solution will allow consumers and small businesses to have their email routed to and from the BlackBerry handheld in real time, said Mr. Dickinson.

He added that customers did not need a separate email address as the customers? primary email will be delivered to the BlackBerry through the secure servers managed at Transact.

He added that this solution is built on ?push? technology, which means Transact will automatically push the email to the handheld, through the AT&T Wireless network, immediately upon it being received into the inbox.

The Igility Group of Companies which includes Sbi, Transact and Bermuda Computer Services, currently use the BlackBerry extensively and rely on the wireless capabilities to manage daily email, calendars, address book and tasks.

?This product is not just suitable for the business professional and is now available to everyone in Bermuda,? said Mr. Dickinson.

?Your BlackBerry becomes an extension of your mailbox and allows you to send, receive, forward and reply to messages at your convenience which means you maintain wireless control of your desktop.

?You can also synchronise with your calendar and never miss another appointment or meeting.

?While away from the office, you can initiate, accept or decline meetings, invite attendees from your address book and view your calendar.?

The initial service will be considered ?beta? until Transact more clearly understands end-user requirements and demand in the local market, added Mr. Dickinson.