Wireless intends to charge its customers and the move has prompted C&W executives to question the sincerity of their competitors.

And C&W has called on the Telecommunications Commission to "look beyond the blatantly self-serving motives'' of the TBI objections and make a decision that promotes the "general good''.

But TBI has stood resolute and claims that its objections have been made to force C&W to come to the table with a proper plan.

And TBI further alleges that the entire "Thanksgiving discount scheme'' may be a ploy because the Bermuda Telephone Company -- the billing agent for both C&W and TBI -- is unable to shift rates for one or two days.

C&W has sent a series of rate reductions to the Telecommunications Commission for approval.

C&W wants to offer a special discount rate over the Thanksgiving period of November 27-30 for calls to the Caribbean, United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

This special discount, if approved, would have the effect of allowing residents with relatives and friends in the continental United States, to make calls at a special rate of 75 cents per minute at any time between November 27-30.

And moves are afoot to permanently extend the existing discount and economy rates to North America, Ireland and the United Kingdom and to introduce new discount calling periods to the Caribbean.

However C&W allege that TBI's objections demonstrate that they are not interested in bringing the benefits of competition to customers.

In a prepared statement, C&W spokesman John Instone said:"We are very sorry that the result of the introduction of competition into Bermuda's international telecommunications market has so far resulted in loyal Cable and Wireless customers being disadvantaged.

"We believe competition should benefit all international users and not just those who choose to go with one particular carrier.'' But Ken Spurling, TBI vice president administration and external affairs, said that this reaction from C&W was the result of jealousy about the "good news'' developments within his company.

"I do not know what their motivation is really,'' he said. "I prefer to take the high road. Cable and Wireless should get on with whatever they are doing and stop castigating what we are doing.'' Mr. Spurling explained that it was true that TBI had objected to the "one and two-day'' discounts such as the one that C&W has proposed for Thanksgiving.

He added: "What we want them to do is to put forward a proper pricing plan.

That way, we can all sit down and start doing business in a proper, competitive way.

"This idea of giving a special rate for a few days does not address what we want for Bermuda which is a proper competitive reduction in prices and increased quality and service.'' Mr. Spurling said the entire issue was a "red herring'' because Bermuda Telephone Company did the billing for both C&W and TBI and he was not aware that BTC could change its billing system for just a few days.

"If that is the case,'' he continued, "they are just throwing this out knowing full well that it cannot be done anyway.'' Yesterday BTC spokeswoman Karla Lacey Minors said she did not know if BTC could or could not vary rates over a one or two day period. She promised to look into the matter.