Staying connected when traveling abroad is of utmost importance, and Belize provides excellent internet and cell phone coverage – including a national phone company as well as several providers who provide WiFi and 4g services.
Digi (formerly BTL) is the largest internet service provider in Belize, serving many hotels, restaurants and bars that provide either free or fee-based internet service.
Wireless internet
Belize Telemedia Limited, commonly known as Digicell, offers wireless internet service from several providers. Their primary provider is government-owned company Belize Telemedia Limited which primarily offers GSM on dual band 850/1900MHz technology as well as 4G LTE in certain locations. They also offer broadband with speeds reaching 200Mbps down and 100Mbps up for US$110 monthly subscription service that is accessible from various retail shops or cable providers in Belize.
Belize’s telecommunications industry is making strides toward becoming more advanced, but there remain areas without cell phone coverage – especially remote villages, protected areas and uninhabited forests. If you wish to remain connected while visiting Belize it’s wise to plan ahead for keeping in contact.
Most US carriers have agreements with local providers in Belize to enable you to use your phone without incurring international calling and texting fees, for instance Verizon has partnerships that cover most of the country. But you will require a device capable of supporting GSM technology; additionally it is smart to purchase an international SIM card that will save money when calling internationally.
DigiCell SIM cards can be found at most electronics stores, gas stations and convenience stores across the United States. Their plans provide minutes, SMS and data bundles. You may also opt to purchase a MiFi device to gain free internet access when connected with hotel WiFi networks or home WiFi networks.
Belize’s telecom landscape is quickly changing. Cellular networks are expanding and data and voice call costs are decreasing, but broadband Internet speeds still trail those found elsewhere in Latin America. Yet despite these challenges, Belize remains poised for an exciting future ahead.
Staying connected while traveling is key for successfully exploring unfamiliar terrain and staying in contact with loved ones, but high roaming charges can quickly drain your budget. To protect against such expenses, purchase either a Belize prepaid SIM card or use an eSIM before leaving home.
Cell phones
Belize generally boasts strong cell phone coverage; however, in remote inland areas it may be limited or nonexistent. If you plan on visiting these areas, consider purchasing a local SIM card before leaving home in order to use your phone without incurring expensive international roaming charges; most electronics stores and gas stations offer this option.
Belize boasts not only its primary cellular network but also a number of public WiFi hotspots. Many hotels and restaurants provide wireless Internet access; you may also find free WiFi in certain parks and museums. You can rent a MiFi device (wireless router) to connect multiple devices simultaneously to the internet; several American and Canadian providers provide satellite Internet services here as well; these may prove more costly though.
Digicell is Belize’s most prominent telecommunications company, operating a national GSM cellular network that makes use of smartphones compatible with this technology. DigiCell provides pre-paid bundles and monthly subscription plans suitable for cell phones, laptops and tablets that include unlimited text messaging/data usage as well as voice call minutes – these plans can be found at most electronic stores/gas stations/convenience shops across Belize.
DigiCell may offer more reliable service in Belize than its rivals; however, other providers such as Smart! Belize and Channel Broadcasting Cable – CBC are less renowned and offer slower speeds. Both these companies offer various prepaid plans with data and minutes for voice calls that cost more than those provided by DigiCell but provide greater coverage.
Your options for buying a Belize prepaid SIM card range from in-person mobile provider stores and online retailers to buying the SIM before leaving home – both can save money on roaming charges if purchased prior to travel, though before doing so it would be wise to consult your provider on if their plan includes free international roaming. US travelers will require their passport in order to buy SIM cards in Belize.
Land lines
Though Belize’s telecom system is improving, it still does not cover every part of the country. Therefore, Skype, WhatsApp and FaceTime video calls remain effective means of keeping in contact with friends and family – they provide affordable ways of connecting. WiFi hotspots can also be found at many hotels and restaurants, which is an easy way to avoid data charges while staying connected with loved ones.
For those in Belize looking to subscribe to a land line phone line, this process can be accomplished by visiting any branch of their local phone company and providing identification as well as deposit. Once complete, you will have access to connect online services with ease as well as making use of all related benefits.
Most residents in Belize opt for satellite or wireless internet service as a method of accessing the web. This type of access eliminates the need for ground connections and can be found both rurally and on cayes (islands). When selecting the appropriate service, take into consideration your individual needs (WhatsApp video calling, FaceTime video chatting, iMessage/Google Maps/Waze directions etc), travel plans and budget.
Digi (formerly BTL) is the dominant provider of internet service in Belize. Many see them as an unfair monopoly, though government action has helped increase competition and speed. Unfortunately there remain issues related to pricing and speed which must be resolved.
Your Verizon cell phone can easily work in Belize due to their network using frequencies compatible with most GSM devices and supporting VoWiFi – an option that enables calls through wifi connections rather than traditional cellular networks.
Belize mainly utilizes GSM phones and services provided by GSM service providers offer reliable coverage throughout the country. Furthermore, there are various wireless internet service providers offering monthly subscription plans or affordable prepaid cards which cover Belize. When moving to Belize it’s essential that you select suitable service providers with clear pricing structures in place before making a move decision.
Satellite internet
Satellite internet is a popular choice in Belize as it can be accessed from virtually any location and offers much faster connections than traditional connections, enabling users to quickly gain access to the web and quickly use it without being affected by weather or environmental conditions. As it doesn’t depend on these external factors, this makes satellite an excellent solution for rural areas of Belize where traditional connections might not exist.
At present, there are multiple providers in Belize offering satellite internet. However, their quality varies greatly and it is essential that one does their research thoroughly when choosing one. Many companies have been accused of disregarding local regulations or charging exorbitant prices for services rendered; it is essential to pick a provider with an official license from Belize’s government.
The Belizean government is taking steps to enhance its infrastructure and connectivity, with projects that will bring broadband services to all parts of the country – including installing fiber-to-the-home networks and replacing copper wires with state-of-the-art fiber optic cables – enabling it to compete with top countries worldwide in terms of digital infrastructure.
Belize provides various wireless Internet options, from mobile networks and fixed lines, to Digi Belize as the country’s primary telecom provider offering nationwide 3G coverage, supported by BTL’s broadband services to businesses and households; BTL is currently building out their fiber-to-the-home project which will connect up to 90 thousand households over three years.
WiMAX wireless Internet service in Belize provides another alternative. Available in most urban areas and offered by multiple providers, this option provides easy and inexpensive Internet connectivity across most parts of the country. Prepaid cards from certain providers can even be easily bought at most major banks’ kiosks – another great advantage to WiMAX’s convenience!
Cellular service in Belize is generally reliable, with affordable monthly plans from Digi Belize and Smart!, an upstart competitor that recently entered the market to dislodge DigiCell from its dominant position. Both offer competitive monthly plans; with Smart! providing excellent coverage in key tourist centers.
