a start-up company to a market-leading bandwidth wholesaler has died while on a business trip to Singapore.

The company announced the death of Baldo Sutich, the company's president and chief executive officer, who passed away suddenly on March 18, 2001 at the age of 60.

Mr. Sutich arrived in Bermuda in April 1999 to head up the Southern Cross project and was due to retire next month. He had planned to return to New Zealand. He is survived by his wife Denise and two daughters, Emma and Nicola.

Just two weeks before his death the final segment of Southern Cross cable network between Spencer Beach, Hawaii and Morro Bay, California entered into service.

The submarine cable system which makes up the network links Australasia with Hawaii and then on to California for broadband Internet access.

"It is with much sadness that Southern Cross Cable Network announces the sudden death of President and Chief Executive Officer, Baldo Sutich,'' a spokesperson for the company said.

Southern Cross Chairman John Tibbles paid tribute to Mr. Sutich for his role in guiding the company through its network implementation phase and for creating a strong financial platform.

During his three years as president and CEO, Mr. Sutich played a pivotal role in steering the company through planning and construction of the 30,500 km trans-Pacific system, the company said.

And they paid tribute to the man for turning the company into a financial success from being a start-up.

"Mr. Sutich made a great contribution to the success of Southern Cross and will be sadly missed by all of those who worked with him,'' the company said.

BUSINESS BUC