after surveying a number of its users.

The directory has been produced annually since 1988 and distributed free of charge, as a collection of telex listings. The 1994 directory, the last one published, contained addresses, telephone and fax numbers of almost 900 local businesses.

C&W spokesman, Mr. John Instone, estimated that it would cost about $16,000 to produce the next issue.

With the decline in the use of telex services, the firm said the guide was being used more as a local fax and business address directory.

In a letter to its users, C&W said: "Unfortunately, it could never hope to become completely successful in this role as it contained only those businesses who had asked to be listed.

"This is in contrast to the Bermuda Telephone Directory where all numbers are listed unless otherwise requested. Consequently, the (business) directory was not comprehensive and this was one of the criticisms encountered during the survey.'' The survey pointed out that while the service was useful, it was not vital to the needs of the majority of the business community. The telecommunications firm said that as a result, they "reluctantly concluded that it can no longer justify the increasing expense of producing the directory''.

The firm proposed a future, smaller directory devoted solely to telex users.