Cell Service In Belize: What To Expect When You're There

Belize has a national telecommunications company, Belize Telemedia Limited, and several mobile phone companies providing coverage across most of the country and certain marine areas close to major coastal population centres. The country's telecommunications system is making progress towards being more developed, with the national phone company providing good coverage, including 4G in certain areas. However, there are still some remote, small villages, protected areas, and uninhabited areas without cell phone coverage.

Cell service in Belize is provided by Belize Telemedia Ltd. and SMART SPEEDNET

Belize has a national telecommunications company, Belize Telemedia Ltd., which offers cellular service under the "Digicell" brand. This is a digital service on the GSM dual-band 850/1900 MHz technology and the 4G LTE network. Belize Telemedia Ltd. offers both postpaid and prepaid plans, with the former being more attractive to businesspeople, Belizeans, or expatriates as the cell number is permanent.

The second cellular service provider in Belize is SMART SPEEDNET, a privately held company. SMART offers similar services to Digicell, except it uses the CDMA network spectrum and offers slightly lower prices. SMART has been operating since March 2005 and delivers all its services over WiFi and air spectrum.

Cellular phone and internet access rates in Belize are the highest in Central America. While the country is well-served by cellular service, there are still some remote, small villages, protected areas, and uninhabited areas without coverage.

If you are visiting Belize, you can avoid roaming charges by purchasing a local SIM card or eSIM for your smartphone. You can buy a SIM card in person at mobile provider stores or online before your trip. It is important to note that you will need to bring your passport to purchase a SIM card.

To use your cell phone in Belize, it must be GSM-capable as the country uses GSM for its cellular communications. If you have a locked phone, you should get it unlocked by your service provider before travelling to Belize.

You can use your cell phone in Belize if you have a US-style SIM card

Belize has good cell service, provided by two major companies: Belize Telemedia Ltd. (Digicell) and SMART. Both companies offer 3G and 4G services, with good signal coverage in major cities and tourist locations.

If you have a US-style SIM card, you can use your cell phone in Belize, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure your phone is unlocked. If your phone is locked to a specific carrier, you may not be able to use a different SIM card. Check with your carrier before your trip to see if they can unlock your phone.

Second, your phone needs to be compatible with the local telecommunication system. Belize Telemedia Ltd. uses GSM technology, while SMART uses CDMA. Check with your current provider to see if your phone is compatible.

Third, international roaming charges can be very high. Instead of using your regular SIM card, consider purchasing a local prepaid SIM card from either Digicell or SMART. This will allow you to take advantage of local rates and avoid expensive roaming charges. You can buy SIM cards at the airport, mobile provider stores, convenience stores, or online.

Finally, data services in Belize can be expensive compared to some countries. If you need internet access, be prepared to pay for it. It's a good idea to research the different plans and prices offered by Digicell and SMART before your trip to find the best option for your needs.

Wireless internet is available but the signal is weaker than in the US or Canada

Wireless internet is available in Belize, but the signal is weaker than in the US or Canada. While you can use your mobile phone in Belize, there are some things to keep in mind.

Firstly, it is important to note that not all areas of Belize have cell phone coverage. Some remote, small villages, protected areas, and uninhabited regions lack coverage. Therefore, it is essential to check the coverage of your chosen provider in your specific area. Secondly, if you are visiting from the US, your US carrier may offer service in Belize, but it will be very expensive. It is worth checking with your mobile provider, as some plans may already include free roaming and data while you travel.

If you are staying in Belize for only a few days, you can activate international roaming on your mobile phone. However, international call prices can be high. Alternatively, you can purchase a local SIM card or a prepaid SIM card from a local provider. To buy a SIM card in Belize, you will need your passport. You can also buy a SIM card online before your trip to ensure you have data as soon as you arrive.

It is worth noting that Belize uses GSM for its cellular communications, so your phone must be GSM-capable. If you have a locked phone, you should get it unlocked before travelling and ensure it is compatible with the frequency bands used in Belize.

If you plan to stay in Belize for a more extended period, you may want to consider other options. You can buy or rent a mobile phone or get a landline. Landlines are mainly used by residents and companies in larger cities, but you can subscribe to a landline if you have a residence permit or are willing to pay a substantial deposit.

Additionally, internet coverage in Belize is decent, but it is slow and expensive.

To avoid roaming charges, you can buy a SIM card or eSIM before travelling to Belize

To Avoid Roaming Charges in Belize

Belize has a fairly good cellular service covering most of the country and certain marine areas close to major coastal population centres. However, if you want to avoid roaming charges, you can buy a SIM card or eSIM before travelling to Belize.

Buying a SIM Card

Belize has a national telecommunications company, Belize Telemedia Limited, and several mobile phone companies providing good coverage. DigiCell is the cellular division of Belize Telemedia Limited, and it offers four different types of prepaid plans:

• M plan: 680 MB, valid for 3 days for BZD 5 ($2.51)
• L plan: 1.7 GB, valid for 7 days for BZD 12 ($6.02)
• XL plan: 5.5 GB, valid for 30 days for BZD 35 ($17.55)
• XXL plan: 7.5 GB, valid for 30 days for BZD 45 ($22.56)

DigiCell SIM cards are widely available all over the country: official stores, gas stations, convenience stores, and electronic repair shops. The SIM card costs BZ$20 (USD$10) plus tax, and comes with BZ$10 in credit.

Buying an eSIM

An eSIM is a virtual SIM card that sits inside your phone. It is a convenient way to get data in Belize if you want to be connected as soon as you arrive. Airalo is a popular choice for eSIMs, offering coverage in over 200 countries and regions. You can purchase an eSIM from Airalo for Belize with the following options:

Cho!: 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $9.50

Latamlink also offers eSIMs with coverage in 19 countries, including Belize:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $15
• 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $28
• 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $39
• 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $60

Other Options

If you are planning to visit other countries during your trip, you may want to pick an option that offers coverage in those countries. You could also purchase a global prepaid SIM card online or a regional eSIM plan.

DigiCell and SMART offer eSIMs to their customers

Belize has a fairly good cellular service that covers most of the country and certain marine areas close to major coastal population centres. The country's telecommunications system is making progress toward being more developed. However, it should be noted that there are still some remote, small villages, protected areas, and uninhabited areas without cell phone coverage.

Belize has a national telecommunications company, Belize Telemedia Limited, which offers its cellular service under the "Digicell" brand. SMART SPEEDNET is the second company and is privately held. Both companies offer 4G services in certain areas.

As of April 2023, DigiCell and SMART offer eSIMs to their customers. This means that visitors to Belize can easily switch to a local data provider without having to change their physical SIM card. eSIMs can be purchased from anywhere in the world and offer instant connectivity at affordable rates. This is a convenient option for those who want to stay connected while travelling, without incurring high roaming charges.

DigiCell and SMART each have their own requirements for postpaid service. For DigiCell, a current passport or Belize Social Security Card is required. Non-Belizean residents must provide evidence of intended residence in Belize for the next 12 months, and a deposit may be required. SMART, on the other hand, offers slightly lower prices compared to DigiCell. It is important to note that your mobile phone may not be compatible with Belize's telecommunication system, so it is advisable to get it unlocked before travelling.

In addition to eSIMs, DigiCell also offers SMS bundles and promotions such as double or triple credit on certain top-up amounts.

Frequently asked questions