Belize-based telecommunications firm Digi, operating under the national telecom brand BTL, has delivered a landmark annual financial result even after its high-profile attempt to acquire its largest competitor fell through. The company announced a record net profit of $36.9 million, marking a robust 31% year-over-year increase, with earnings per share rising to 70 cents in what company leaders are calling a banner 2025-2026 fiscal period.
Weeks after Digi’s proposed merger with rival Speednet collapsed, public observers and government officials have been weighing in on the firm’s strong performance. Public Utilities Minister Michel Chebat shared his perspective on the results in a recent interview with local media, acknowledging the success while highlighting the significant public stake in the company.
Chebat emphasized that Belizean taxpayers injected $700 million in public funds to bail out BTL under the previous administration led by Dean Barrow. “I am glad that they are making a profit, after the seven hundred million dollars of taxpayers funds that Dean Barrow paid for it, we need to find a way at some point in time to recuperate those monies,” Chebat stated. “BTL is the national telecom, whether we want to accept it or not. Belizean taxpayer funds have been invested into that company and I think we have a reason and we have to ensure that BTL survives so that when they are making profits, kudos to them.”
Looking ahead to the Belizean telecom sector, Chebat confirmed that new competitors are preparing to enter the market, a shift that has been widely anticipated in local industry circles. Even with the coming increase in competition, the minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the national carrier. “But we need to make sure that BTL survives no matter where the attacks come from,” he added.
Notably, Digi achieved this record profit even while absorbing unplanned costs associated with a legacy employee severance obligation that the company inherited as part of its ongoing operational restructuring. This detail underscores the underlying strength of the firm’s core business performance, even in the face of unexpected financial burdens and a failed major acquisition.
This report is adapted from a verbatim transcript of an August 24, 2026 evening television news broadcast from Belize.