Tonight, the Briceno Administration and the Prime Minister in particular has been given some breathing room after an unexpected announcement came in today's house meeting. After weeks of agitation by civil society and the opposition, months of raising the alarm by this newsroom, the Minister of Public Utilities announced that the Speednet acquisition by BTL is being put on pause:
Michel Chebat, Minister of Public Utilities
"Given the level of public interest and the importance of the telecommunication sector to our economy, it is important that this process proceeds carefully, transparently, and in accordance with the law. The Prime Minister has instructed that there be a pause in discussions related to this matter."
"This pause is intended to allow the parties involved to further engage the public in a genuine, open, and cordial way, and to ensure that the proper regulatory process is followed. Any proposed acquisition of this nature must first be reviewed by the Public Utilities Commission, which is the independent body mandated to regulate the telecommunication sector. The expectation is that a formal submission of the proposed acquisition will be made to the Public Utilities Commission if and when the boards of the Social Security Board and the Belize Telemedia Limited approve the acquisition, allowing the PUC to consult thoroughly, deliberate on the pros and cons, and make a determination based on evidence, law, and the public interest."
