The Boom of the Internet and its Impact on Belize

These days, internet connection is more than just a luxury, it’s a necessity. Every day, billions of people use the internet to communicate, learn, and stay updated on the latest news. Many of you at home might be using the internet right now to watch this newscast. But have you ever wondered about the early days of the internet in Belize and how it has evolved over the years? In tonight’s episode of Kocha Tuesday, News Five’s Britney Gordon delves into how the internet has shaped Belizean culture.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

In 1994, the Belize Telecommunications Authority (now known as BTL or Digi) launched internet services in Belize, sparking widespread excitement across the country. Back then, BTA was the only internet provider, and the launch was a big deal. Ervin Marin, who worked at BTA at the time, recalls the buzz and celebration surrounding this groundbreaking event.

 

Ervin Marin, Former BTL Employee

“ We started out with the dial-up internet. That was the only thing available. People were excited about it because it moved away from the telex and the telegram and we moved over to the dial-up. People were excited. You had homes that were connected and you had most of the offices that were using it as well.”

 

Belize may have been late to the internet party, arriving nearly a decade behind, but once it hit, Belizeans jumped right in. They flocked to chat rooms like AOL and MSN to connect with family, friends, and even strangers. Crios Munnings, who owns Sigertronic Systems in Belize City, remembers the explosion of popularity these chatrooms enjoyed.

 

Crios Munnings, Owner, Sigertronic Systems

“It took a few years before BTL, who was the primary ISP at that time, brought about internet and that was using a telephone line, what we call dial up. And at 56K, it was our lifeline in order to connect. To the world before cell phones, before it was our primary means of communication, reaching out to the online chat boards such as America Online, as we know it as AOL, and it was the only way of really reaching out to the world, hello world, and communicating, getting information, getting advice, communicating with people, sharing resources at that time.”

 

Before long, Belize rolled out its first internet-capable cell phones, and Belizeans couldn’t wait to get their hands on them. People rushed to the stores, eager to experience the new technology and stay connected on the go.

 

Ervin Marin

“When we launched the CDMA phones we had introduced, I think it was about a thousand phones for the entire country. I’m not sure the exact amount, but that was a crazy launch. There was some smart phones, but we had, I think one of the offices, I think it was in PG, the doors were broken down by the customers wanting a phone. They were really excited about getting the first cellular phone launched in Belize.”

 

The internet is more than just a way to stay connected, it is a means of accessing knowledge. Nowadays, the answer to most of life’s questions is a few taps away, but before Google, there were chat rooms.

 

Crios Munnings

“Again being the birthplace of chat groups, it was how we could gain knowledge and learn basically right now where we have Google, that was a precursor to Google, where it was there wasn’t a database of all this information, nor was there even a search engine. But there were means of just basic communication with others out there that, that were sharing their knowledge that was, that were coaching Belizeans and others.”

 

Marin notes that many customers initially struggled with computers, facing a steep learning curve. However, the younger generation, who grew up with the internet, quickly outpaced their parents in tech skills, becoming household experts.

 

Ervin Marin

“I think the young people are more knowledgeable of the way to use the internet and  I think it comes natural for them. I’m still learning. I still have to ask my daughter what to do here, what to do there. It comes very easy for young people.  It’s struggling sometimes. It’s hard.  I’m getting there.”

 

In 2007, Facebook overtook Myspace to become the world’s top social media platform. Its knack for showing users content based on their location and interactions drew millions. In Belize, where it’s often said that everyone knows everyone, Facebook’s popularity soared just the same. Today, with features like Groups and Facebook Marketplace, Facebook remains a hit in Belize, helping many small businesses advertise their products and reach a wider local audience.

 

Crios Munnings

“Businesses can use it to reach the masses of the people. As actually as a media for news, entertainment, for everything, just as you’re saying, it actually has migrated a lot of people away from television screen or from the movies or from, from many of the traditional ways of reaching the eyes of everyone.”

 

The internet is vital today. Marin advises all Belizeans to remain involved in online spaces so that they do not miss out on life’s most important developments.

 

Ervin Marin

“I think technology is moving very fast and  it’s exciting to see what would be next. You’re always thinking about what would be next. Everything is done online now.  I think eventually  that will be the new norm. Everything is online. So to me,  I speak for myself. If you don’t keep up with the times you’ll be behind.”

 

Britney Gordon for News Five.