Internet Access in Belize is very expensive, at least compared to European or United States standards. High speed Internet Access is available, though, and you have three main options to access the Internet in Belize: DSL, Wireless or Satellite.
ADSL (Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line)
ADSL (or DSL) is a technology that provides internet access over the copper lines also used by your telephone. These lines have a larger capacity than what is needed for only voice, so voice and data can be transmitted on the same line and at the same time. You must install some equipment (a DSL modem) in your home to split the signal into voice (i.e. for your telephone) and data (either a wired network or a wireless access point, or both).
The government-run BTL (Belize Telemedia Limited) company provides insanely expensive high speed internet access on the ADSL network.
| STANDARD HSI PLANS (Monthly Service Charge) | ||
| 256K 512K 1MB 2MB 4MB |
$100 $179 $300 $500 $850 |
|
Price list for High Speed Internet service from BTL. Note that these prices are in Belize Dollars and exclusive of tax.
I guess these prices are what you get for having a state-run monopolist dictating prices. Fortunately there is some competition, which may force these prices to come down.
Check out our article on High Speed Internet Availability Belize for a list of locations where High Speed Internet from BTL is available as of march 2011.
Wireless Internet
Wireless internet is also provided by BTL, and it is intended for area’s where DSL is not available. The prices appear to be the same as for their ADSL offerings.
Smart is another provider of wireless services in Belize, including wireless internet. It is a privately held enterprise that is competing with BTL. Their mobile plans may include data transfer, but it is currently unclear how much data traffic may be generated and what speed the service is.
Satellite Internet
To access the internet through a satellite, you will need to set up a satellite dish that is both a receiver and a transmitter. These dishes are slightly larger than what you would need to view satellite television. Setting up an internet satellite dish is also more complex than setting up a satellite television dish, as the alignment needs to be much more accurate.
Speeds of satellite internet access vary.
In Belize, you have two main choices for providers, these are:
- Direct TV
- Starband
Satellite Internet with Direct TV
Direct TV is a US based satellite services company, offering both Television and Internet services.
On their website, they currently (march, 2011) have the following offer:
Satellite Internet powered by WildBlue™
DIRECTV delivers high-speed Internet (up to 1.5Mbps) powered by WildBlue™ to any home, virtually anywhere in the country. You don’t even need a phone line. For as low as $49.99 a month for 12 months (up to 512 kbps) you can keep an “always–on” connection — watch videos and download photos and music. This is the best offer you can get on satellite Internet. And it’s available only from DIRECTV.
Note that these are US Dollars, and not Belizean Dollars. So while still not cheap by European standards, it is strangely enough, cheaper than the ADSL services provided by the telecom monopolist. And, it is reported that Skype will work flawlessly other this satellite link while BTL reportedly blocks this service.