PM Claims No Role in BTL Buyout of Speednet

Talk of a major shake-up in Belize’s telecom sector has intensified as BTL is exploring the purchase of Speednet Communications and several cable companies. The potential move has raised public concern about monopoly control and political influence.

Prime Minister John Briceño dismissed suggestions that his family’s ties to Speednet create a conflict of interest on his part.

“Belize is a small country. I have never lived off my government salary. I do investments with my family. I do not have any direct investments with Speednet, so I have none. It’s my brother,” Briceño said.

He added that even though BTL is 95% government-owned, the company operates under a commercial structure, and “as a private company, we allow them to be able to manage the company and for them to make whatever decisions they believe are in the best interest of the company. I am not involved in that discussion. I’ve stayed away from that,” Briceño stated.

The issue has grown more complex since June, when SMART’s parent company, Speednet, was granted leave to seek judicial review against the Government of Belize. The dispute centred on two “ConnectED” contracts awarded to BTL to provide internet to schools, which Speednet claims should have gone through tender under the Finance and Audit (Reform) Act, which requires competitive tendering for contracts above $5 million. The high court allowed Speednet to challenge the government, effectively putting the administration in court against a company partially owned by the PM’s family.

However, concerns are now focused on the possibility of one dominant telecom provider controlling mobile, internet, and cable services.

PM Briceño said the Public Utilities Commission is the safeguard against that. “The PUC regulates. The PUC has to set the rates. The BTL, BEL, and BWS just can’t set any rates as they wish.”

He added, “The PUC now will have to become even more vigilant in ensuring that the rates that are being set will not be taking advantage of the Belizean public.”