A Bermuda-based company has developed a system which will iron out one of the more irritating problems of the computer age -- how to get through to someone while they are on the Internet. Witchity Capital Corporation has developed the system using Canadian software and has formed a joint venture with telephone operator Redstone in Britain. Redstone, which plans to float on the UK stock exchange in October, is offering Online Call Manager (OCM) free software through its website which will allow Internet users to screen incoming telephone calls without the need for an expensive second line. When calls are made to the engaged number, the system sends an automatic message to users' computers, which offers them the option of answering the call immediately through their PC or diverting it to an answering machine. Redstone would make money from the UK venture by taking a proportion of the 10 pence a minute divert when busy charged by British Telecom for re-routing calls. The system is likely to be popular among the estimated 92 percent of Internet users in the UK who do not have a second line and Redstone is negotiation with a number of Internet service providers to supply the software directly to their customers. Bob Cushing, director of OnLine Call Manager Limited and marketing director of Redstone said: "This joint venture represents our route into the Internet services and telephone market, offering completely new services to existing Internet users.'' Witchity Capital Corporation, which was set up in March this year, is the European business partner of Internet company InfoInterActive Inc. of Canada. The company is incorporated in Bermuda and has its offices in London. Currently Witchity is marketing the same call management services throughout Europe. "Creating joint ventures is a powerful way to release a new service into a market,'' said Neil Haverty, president of Witchity. "Forming a partnership with established players which have existing customers allows us to build a subscriber base much faster than entering a market as a brand new player.'' Today Redstone is also offering a free download at www.ocm.uk.com from 4pm Bermudian time. Redstone also has plans to roll out further Internet-based services over the next year. The call management system will be available exclusively from OCM Ltd in the UK.

InfoInterActive has also signed a letter of intent to pursue an agreement with Witchity to market the OCM in both New Zealand and Australia.