Belize, a Central American nation, faces the inherent challenges of dispersed population centres and varied terrain in the deployment and maintenance of telecommunications. The majority of Belize's populace resides near the coast and in larger cities like Belize City and Orange Walk, while the difficult-to-reach northern regions have sparse population. This distribution requires unique strategies for service provision. The Belize Telemedia Ltd (BTL), the leading telecom provider, has pioneered measures to bridge the digital divide, including installation of submarine fibre optic cables for coastal regions and satellite connections for isolated areas. Nonetheless, the rate of technological adoption and automation remains relatively low, reflecting the need for ongoing efforts to promote technological literacy and infrastructure modernisation.
Mobile Network Operators
The are 2 companies operating mobile networks in this region.
Digi, previously known as DigiCell, is a prominent telecommunications network operating in Belize. The company was established in 2000 by Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), a leading telecommunications provider in Belize. BTL, the parent company of Digi, is a public utilities company founded in 1902 with the Government of Belize as the majority shareholder.
Smart Belize, registered as Speednet Communications Ltd, is one of two telecommunications company operating within Belize. Founded in 2003, the company opened its doors two years later in 2005 with a CDMA based cellular network. The company forms a part of the country's communication infrastructure, providing a services to both individuals and businesses.