A recent survey of the Caribbean showed that Belize's internet rates were the among the highest and its bandwidth among the lowest.
Telemedia, the nationally owned phone company has been roundly criticized and condemned for it.
,p>
And now, the company is doing something about it: they're doubling the speed again, but halving the price at the same time.
The Prime Minister broke the news at his Business Forum this morning. Here's how he explained it:..
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister of Belize
"Now comes what I consider to be a seminal new development; icing on the cake, with whip cream and cherry on top. Yesterday the BTL boards of directors agree that the company will once more give its internet customers increased bandwidth at reduce prices. According the 128k internet speed will go from $49 per month to $25 per month. All other DSL internet speeds will double but for less than the current price. As examples: one megabit which currently cost $300 will now sell for $140 per month, and two megabits sold now for $500 will cost only $240. So that going to back to the one megabit example; the customer currently pays $300 per month but that customer can now go up to two megabits for $240 for less than $300 that he currently pays for one megabit he can go up to two megabits. I really think ladies and gentlemen this is something."
"These reductions will take place later this month so that our people can make their new arrangements and enjoy the reductions on the December bill. I want to make the point that these developments are happening against the backdrop of the 4G roll out which will be fully operational next month - by the end of December. Ladies and gentlemen, how about that for helping the business climate."
As the PM noted, the speed increase and price decrease should go into effect at the end of this month.