phone prices drop for the public, it has been claimed.

Opposition Senate Leader Maxwell Burgess said he was not interested in a redistribution of wireless technology profits amongst companies but only in the community.

"I am not interested in money going from shareholder X to shareholder Y in the name of competition, I want the average Bermudian to benefit from the dismantling of telecommunications,'' he said.

And he called for regulations to allow small businesses get a toehold in the business.

He was speaking as the Senate passed the Telecommunications Amendment Act 1999.

Government Sen. Michael Scott said the legislation -- which had been driven by the litigation between Telco and Quantum -- would encourage competition with the aim of reducing costs.

It also gives the Telecommunications Commission more power, to arbitrate complaints and resolve disputes.

Sen. Mark Pettingill (UBP) said the language in act was too broad on the subject of interconnectivity. Constitutional questions arose on the lack of appeals process, he said.

Sen. Kim Swan (UBP) said competition was good but it was important to ensure a proportion of the community was not left behind in the technology advances.

He said many people were jumping on the bandwagon and trying to make money, but it was vital that in that rush the people themselves were not forgotten.

Government Senate Leader Milton Scott hinted at an announcement to be made soon, which would put Bermuda on a sound footing to compete in global telecommunications.

He agreed with Sen. Swan's call for the community to be included in the technology drive, but added it would cost $12.5 million to give every child access to a computer.

Senate President Alf Oughton (Ind) said the fast moving world of telecommunications would ensure that the act would be back for amendments in the future.

Sen. Michael Scott said there was an appeals process to the Minister and through the courts, adding that the legislation was designed to stimulate entrepreneurship.