halted yesterday for appeal judges to weigh up legal arguments.

Cable and Wireless and TeleBermuda International (TBI) are appealing Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb's decision to allow Logic and North Rock Communications to run a voice over the Internet service.

They are arguing those firms should only be allowed to have a commercial Internet service.

Last week President of the Court of Appeal Sir James Astwood adjourned the appeal to decide whether Puisne Judge Vincent Meerabux was correct in barring certain parts of the Cable and Wireless and TBI appeal to go forward to the appeals court.

Sir James did not say when the Appeals Court would announce its decision.

The hearing follows last September's decision by Mr. Meerabux to allow the continuation of the 44 cents-a-minute long distance rate introduced by Logic Phone early that summer.

Mr. Justice Meerabux had ruled that the carriers had no grounds on which to lodge their case and said Ms Webb had the authority to make the decision.