Internet portal mBermuda will close its news channels this week to allow for technical upgrades and adjustments to be made in anticipation of the January 1 rollout of the project's next stage.

mBermuda president Teresa Cameron issued a press release saying that the closure was necessary for additional channels to be added, including a shopping channel and a service for mobile telephone users.

“mBermuda wants to create a full service to mobile users, taking advantage of the increasing popularity of receiving data on mobile phones and devices,” said Ms Cameron.

“This involves our installing an emulator, which would allow the viewing of mobile sites on the web through an online mobile phone, enabling a user to bookmark favourite sites.

“There is a whole mobile world out there that Bermuda should benefit from.

“mBermuda will also use the time to develop local ring tones and graphics for mobile phone use.”

Ms Cameron said she regretted having to shut down the channels in order to do this, as she said they have become quite popular.

“However, I think this is going to be the fastest and most efficient way to proceed,” she said.

“We hope customers will bear with us in the meantime. I can assure them it's going to be worth the wait.”