by giant international players, Opposition Leader and Shadow Telecommunications Minister Pamela Gordon said yesterday.

And she said people were worried that an Act passed yesterday giving former monopoly overseas phone company Cable & Wireless new status to reflect competition would lead to international companies having a free rein inside Bermuda.

Ms Gordon said: "There are some broader concerns in the community as relates to licences -- they can do business to Bermuda but not in Bermuda.

"There is a belief that, once this Act has passed, these large companies will be able to operate within the confines of Bermuda..that these large companies could subsume and kill these small Bermuda companies.'' Ms Gordon added: "It's very important and imperative that the Minister gives a clear indication so that we can be clear that certain companies which might have ideas of doing business here when they are not entitled to, and perhaps cause another law suit, cannot.'' But Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb said technology was changing fast and that some areas had never been legislated.

And she said any decisions which would be taken would be in the best interests of Bermuda and its economy.

Earlier, MPs clashed over a new Act designed to reflect the loss of C&W's monopoly on overseas phone calls.

Ms Webb said the new legislation came about as part of "a settlement agreement'' between the previous Government and C&W over a $100 million claim for compensation for the phone company for the loss of its monopoly.

But Ms Gordon insisted the new law was not a result "of a deal or a settlement'' of this $100 million case.

"The Government had it in its ability to counter-claim, which would have basically negated the claim of Cable & Wireless.

"No deals were cut -- it comes across like something sinister went on. That was not the case.'' Shadow Finance Minister Grant Gibbons said: "Once it was decided that there would be a change from a monopoly situation, it was very clear that the way Cable & Wireless was licensed and the services were registered would have to be essentially changed to bring Cable & Wireless under umbrella legislation as one of a number of suppliers, not a sole supplier.''