Public Response Split Over Starlink’s Belize License as BTL Employees and Business Leaders Weigh In

A great deal of Belizeans and companies have expressed its support in the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) granting an internet license to Elon Musk’s Starlink Company.  Love News has received a copy of the reviews with over ten letters objecting to the license including Belize Telemedia Limited. For BTL, they had dozens of its employees sign onto a petition asking that the license not be granted based on several factors.  Among those factors were the competition it would bring for DIGI.  According to its letter, Digi notes that the market is already highly competitive with 16 operators who have to share a mere population of 400 thousand.  The other factor involved the safety of data collected, with Digi stating that local data could easily be routed and stored outside the country’s boundaries, comprising data sovereignty.  Another point had to do with employment, where DIGI notes that Starlink would require little to no manpower thus leading to a reduction in workers if the competition landscape shifts.  Also objecting to the license was the CEO for Social Security Board as the SSB is a shareholder in BTL.  There were several other letters submitted with objections, but there were more in favor of giving Starlink access to the Belize market.  Several individuals based their approval on the lack of reliable internet in rural areas while some businesses indicated that with the online services and the digitization of most everything, a more stable internet platform would be needed.  Among those in approval of Starlink are Bowen and Bowen; Ronny Plett of Spanish Lookout and the Belize Natural Energy.  The 200-page document compiled by the Public Utilities include a copy of all letters submitted to the commission following its request for feedback from the public.  We will keep following this story as it develops.