Belize’s Internet infrastructure lags behind global standards and even regional Caribbean nations, and this poses a serious problem if we want our nation to compete globally. In order to become more globally competitive, our Internet connectivity needs to evolve further.
At last, things are improving! BTL has joined with Huawei to lay down the Strategic Evolution Underwater Link (SEUL) submarine cable between San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, and mainland Belize.
Connectivity
Belize’s connectivity to the global Internet is an integral component of its economic development. Not only is it a means of communicating with outside sources, but also provides invaluable business opportunities that would otherwise remain unavailable. Prior to Internet access becoming widely available, businesses communicating with foreign counterparts was predominantly through fax transmission; an expensive process that took considerable time and was less interactive than today.
As soon as the Internet became an effective communications option for businesses, a whole new level of international trade emerged. Tourism-related businesses were among the first to recognize its power; tourism firms could market their products easily across borders for minimal costs while other businesses such as agriculture, aquaculture and manufacturing took full advantage of it and significantly expanded revenues and recognition in international marketplaces.
Belize must develop infrastructure necessary for its modern economy in order for residents and businesses to flourish, with Internet being of vital importance in this regard. In this effort, the government of Belize has made an undertaking with UNICEF and ITU called “Giga Initiative,” to connect all schools across Belize with internet.
DigiCell, one of the country’s premier Internet Service Providers (ISPs), provides postpaid and pre prepaid services through its GSM dual band network using 850 and 1900MHz connections, recently upgraded to 3G service, and is now offering 4G/LTE running on 700MHz spectrum.
Satellite Internet service can be obtained through numerous local Belize and expat installers for approximately US $120 a month for unlimited usage, providing fast connectivity that supports multiple devices simultaneously.
BTL has pledged its efforts towards upgrading the country’s Internet connectivity by offering high-speed, symmetrical data speeds broadband services that can compete effectively against larger ISPs that can offer these services at lower prices. This investment will increase Belize’s teledensity and lead to higher standards of living for its population. Furthermore, this project could position Belize as one of the leading Internet economies in the Caribbean region. It will also have an enormously positive effect on Belize’s economy, drawing more investors and aiding to increase exports – an especially crucial consideration in countries that rely heavily on foreign trade like Belize.
Fiber-Optic Networks
As digital technologies advance, more businesses have turned to web services as they rely on them for operations. BTL of Belize is making strides to upgrade its copper wire network with fiber optic connections for faster Internet speeds and increased bandwidth services.
This will make it easier for people to work from home or conduct business throughout the nation, and support economic activity by connecting to online education or services; but only if BTL can keep pace with demand – otherwise the country will continue to suffer connectivity gaps.
The government has taken steps to address this problem by creating a new national broadband plan. Not only will the plan increase high-speed connections, it will also include expanding fiber to the home in rural areas – helping bolster economic development by giving residents better access to e-learning, telemedicine and online public services; additionally a local exchange point will facilitate ISPs sharing connections.
One of the greatest obstacles to expanding broadband services in rural Belize is limited access to high-speed Internet connections. Most rural residents rely on satellite, which is both expensive and slow. But BTL recently unveiled plans to bring fiber optic networks directly to remote regions across Belize.
Implementation has already started in San Pedro and will expand across the country over three years, giving high-speed Internet to over one third of Belizeans. A fiber optic network will replace current copper wire infrastructure, giving Belize access to data infrastructure on par with cities like London, Singapore and Seoul.
BTL will soon be linked to an undersea cable expected to be completed by September. This cable will link mainland Belize with Ambergris Caye and deliver ultrafast Internet speeds. Diginet, BTL’s mobile subsidiary DigiCell’s flagship Internet service will offer this superfast connectivity service.
High-speed Internet will bring many advantages to Belize, but the process will require both time and money. In order for it to succeed, BTL must end their obscene profits and invest in its nation’s future – not simply offering cheaper prices but instead building out an infrastructure capable of competing against world class networks if possible – otherwise Belize may never reach its true potential – though if they succeed they could see an explosion of new businesses emerge and an expanding economy!
Impact on Web Hosting
Belize is home to several highly-recognized web hosting providers who provide high-speed connections and advanced features, including unlimited storage, cPanel control panels and SSL certificates. Most hosts also offer flexible plans that can be tailored specifically to your business needs while remaining cost effective with top customer support service.
Now is an ideal time to launch or expand a website in Belize, but before making your plans known it’s essential that you gain an understanding of its current infrastructure situation.
Belize’s National Digital Agenda includes programs focused on connectivity and access. The aim is to ensure reliable Internet connection is available to all, particularly rural areas, so people can take advantage of online services like education and e-commerce.
Even though the government has prioritized this effort, it must be remembered that its implementation won’t happen overnight and requires the efforts of various ministries and organizations collaborating together on this initiative. But it remains an integral step toward turning Belize into a digital society.
This initiative will establish an Internet Exchange Point, or IXP. By doing so, this initiative will reduce reliance on international connectivity for local Internet traffic exchange and make it much more resilient. Furthermore, this IXP will lower per-bit delivery costs for local ISPs while significantly decreasing round trip time between networks.
One of the key recommendations from the event was for Belize to establish an Internet Exchange Point (IXP). An IXP connects local Internet Service Providers, allowing them to trade traffic locally and avoid more costly international routes for trading traffic. ISPs will then be able to offer better, more cost-effective broadband packages as they will find it quicker and cheaper to deliver content to their customers.
As part of efforts to increase network quality, another recommendation was expanding bandwidth capacity. By offering more bandwidth to users, they will have access to additional online resources and enjoy a smoother browsing experience – leading to economic expansion through more people being able to work online or shop.
According to international studies, increasing broadband speeds by doubling can result in an average GDP increase of 0.3% for any country. Belize’s economy has recently been experiencing difficulties, so this improvement will prove hugely beneficial to Belizeans and the country as a whole.
This event, organized in cooperation with the University of Belize and sponsored by BTL, attracted over 65 attendees representing ISPs, businesses, government agencies, and civil society groups from Belize. PCH staff Bill Woodcock and Bevil Wooding hosted this meeting that explored both economic and social benefits associated with improved Internet service in Belize as well as strategies to achieve this in a country with limited resources.
