The Bermuda Telephone Co. Ltd. (BTC) is finally making a tentative first step towards becoming an Internet service provider. The company put out an advertisement in Monday's newspaper for an Internet product manager.

"We are presently seeking a Manager to manage the life cycle of our Internet Service Offerings,'' the ad states. Aside: Don't ask who writes this corporatespeak. Probably the same person who wrote the manual for my Hitachi MX notebook. Why do people feel inspired to use such opaque language? The person for the job will be able to understand "internet based services to be able to explain the nature, uses and benefits of services provided to novice clients, technical professionals and management with equal comfort and clarity,'' the ad states.

In other words BTC is going after a full fledged Internet service for home users and businesses. The move is not unexpected. After all everyone has been speculating BTC was hankering after Internet business for a long time, just like other telecommunications companies worldwide, and just like Cable & Wireless and TeleBermuda International.

I've even been told by a supposedly "reliable source'' that BTC, two years ago, bought server equipment that was rusting away in the "basement''. The Internet venture was allegedly stopped in its tracks by a reorganisation. Not true said BTC top gun Lorraine Lyle, who is a bit more cagey about the proposed venture, compared to when she took on Government, civil servants, and Cable & Wireless in a speech which might have given some Lions indigestion from their usually placid weekly luncheon. Brave person.

She said no decision had yet been made as to whether to get into the Internet service business. Internet users have to use BTC's lines to log into Internet Bermuda Ltd. server any way. Why not get a piece of the action? "It's a business that is impacting us and we have to get closer to it,'' Ms Lyle said, adding that the company would be making a final decision "over the next few months.'' All telephone companies are getting worried about the competition on the Internet, including from those developing software which allows surfers to bypass long distance telephone charges for one price connection to any place in the world. For example NetSpeak Corp. has recently released WebPhone 3.1.

The updated software allows video and voice communication over the Internet.

Competition -- don't ya just love it? Mecklermedia is holding the fourth annual Internet World Canada '98 February 3 to 6 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The conference will feature workshops and conference sessions focusing on new rules and strategies for Web marketing and advertising. Contact Jane Dysart at 416-484-6129 for information. "Is there Real Money in Internet Advertising?'' will be the topic of one seminar which will use case studies from major corporations.

Mastercard International Ltd. has made a full scale launch of a new electronic cash system, Mondex, in Hong Kong this week. The system has been tested for bugs in New York City, Swindon in the UK, and Guelph, Canada. Hong Kong is the first place Mastercard has made it fully available to customers for all participating banks.

Mondex is an international debit card which can be used for small value transactions, such as buying a newspaper, where credit card purchases are not economic. Up to the equivalent of US$388 can be stored on the Hong Kong cards.

The cards are designed to hold up to five currencies. Mastercard will introduce the Mondex system to other places as consumers take to it. Spokesmen for the two banks in Bermuda have said in the past the companies will wait until the technology runs smoothly before introducing it here.

Another interesting development is the involvement of the Bank of Canada in the scheme. In other places it's the private banking system that's involved but in Canada its the central bank which wants to push the technology further.

Not only is the central bank a participant but it may eventually take over from the participants in Canada as the originator of electronic cash, making it an alternative to printed and minted currency according to Bloomberg business news. Look ma, no change! I envy all of those from Bermuda who will be attending the COMDEX/Fall '97 computer industry lovefest in Las Vegas beginning November 16. The event is a showcase for all the nifty new gadgets, software and developments in the industry. If those who are going could pick up any of the brochures and information which would be of interest to readers of this column I would appreciate the effort.

Tech Tattle is a weekly column which focuses on technological developments and computer industry issues. If you have any ideas for topics please telephone Ahmed at 295-5881 or 238-3854.