Two rival cellphone carriers have reached an agreement that allows their clients to exchange text messages, ending a year-long dispute.

Digicel and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company said Saturday that their clients can start text-messaging each other by June.

Disagreements

The companies said technical details were worked out a year ago, but disagreements had remained over contract terms.

The pact was reached the same day regulators were scheduled to begin hearings on the issue.

Meanwhile, Jamaica-based Digicel is challenging Guyana T&T's 18-year-old monopoly on international calls.

The Guyana company is owned by Salem, Massachusetts-based Atlantic Tele-Network.

- AP