In a significant development within Belize’s telecommunications sector, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has formally declared its opposition to the proposed acquisition of Speednet by Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL). The union’s position comes with a clear mandate from its membership, following a decisive vote during recent consultations with affiliate organizations.
NTUCB President Ella Waight confirmed that the membership vote resulted in a strong rejection of the merger proposal, with the union now demanding an immediate suspension of the acquisition process. The organization warns that proceeding without comprehensive regulatory approval and an independent business valuation could jeopardize Belize’s entire telecommunications infrastructure and create dangerous market concentration.
According to Waight, the vote against the acquisition was based on multiple critical concerns raised during membership consultations. Primary among these was the potential risk to Social Security Board dividends, given the board’s substantial 33% ownership stake in BTL. Members also expressed apprehension about how market consolidation would affect customers of both BTL and Smart services, alongside broader implications for Belizean taxpayers and telecommunications workers.
The union president highlighted additional concerns about media freedom, noting that telecommunications monopolies could potentially compromise independent journalism through controlled access to communication channels. Waight particularly emphasized the questionable $80 million price tag associated with the acquisition, describing it as difficult to justify without transparent financial documentation.
The NTUCB’s position emerged from what Waight characterized as insufficient information and unsatisfactory responses to stakeholder questions during consultation processes. The organization now calls for a deliberate slowdown of the acquisition process to allow for proper public disclosure and thorough regulatory examination, arguing that Belize cannot afford to gamble with such crucial national infrastructure.