Government Says Telecom Monopolies Regulated, Not Banned

As discussion continues around the proposed Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) acquisition, questions have been raised about whether Belize’s laws ban monopolies, particularly in the telecommunications sector.  Under Belizean law, monopolies are not outright prohibited. Instead, dominant positions in sectors such as telecommunications are regulated, primarily through the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), which is responsible for oversight of pricing, service quality, and competition. The law focuses on preventing abuse of market power, rather than banning consolidation outright.  Speaking on the issue, Minister of Public Service, Governance and Disaster Risk Management, Henry Charles Usher, said the government is not at a stage to consider any changes or amendments to legislation in relation to the proposed BTL acquisition.

Henry Charles Usher, Fort George Area Representative: “I don’t think that’s on the table right now to look at any changes in the legislation. I’ve seen this person say that that’s what the act says, but I haven’t got any legal advice to say that it is requiring that. I’m just saying I think it says it has to advocate for that which is something different, you know, but we need to get that legal advice and we need to make sure, as I said, that we get the information properly and in a way that the citizens can also get that information. I think that if the people want to advocate for a certain position they have a right to do that I don’t think that we’re at that point yet I certainly don’t think the opposition is anywhere close to organizing anything that they that they would be able to do anything like that. So you asked me a hypothetical. I just think that we need to have that information. We need to be able to dialogue, we need to be able to consult and that’s what I’ve always advocated for.” 

Usher stressed that the transaction is being reviewed within the existing legal framework, and that speculation about legislative changes is premature.  Government officials say consultations and regulatory review will continue, with any decision guided by current laws, consumer protection, and the national interest.