In a significant development within the telecommunications sector, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has officially confirmed Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) as the dominant market player following an extensive year-long investigation. The regulatory body conducted a press conference on February 3, 2026, to present its comprehensive market analysis while explicitly distancing these findings from the pending BTL-Speednet merger evaluation.
PUC representatives emphasized the distinct nature of these parallel proceedings. Internal Legal Counsel Stacy Grinage outlined that the dominance determination enables the commission to implement specific regulatory remedies designed to maintain market competition and protect consumer interests. These measures would be activated should the commission formally designate BTL as dominant based on the study’s findings.
Communication Affairs Manager Sheena Garnett provided further clarification, stating unequivocally that the market assessment ‘does not approve, reject, or impose any penalties regarding mergers, acquisitions, or transactions.’ She emphasized that the consultation process began well before the proposed BTL-Speednet acquisition emerged, establishing it as an independent regulatory exercise.
Director of Regulated Services Abraham Tech confirmed the investigation commenced approximately twelve months prior, establishing a timeline that predates the merger proposal. This chronological separation forms the foundation of the PUC’s position that the dominance study should not be interpreted as signaling any predisposition regarding the merger decision.
The commission’s careful delineation between these matters reflects its commitment to transparent, evidence-based regulatory oversight while maintaining procedural integrity in evaluating the potentially transformative market consolidation.