By Horace Palacio: The debate around Starlink in Belize has exposed a deeper truth that goes far beyond internet access. It has revealed how parts of our economy and media still think the solution to disruption is protection, consolidation, or special treatment instead of adaptation. And that mindset is dangerous.
BTL and Speednet say they are worried about Starlink entering the Belize market. Traditional media says it is being crushed by Facebook and Instagram. Radio and TV complain that advertisers now spend money on Google ads instead of local stations. But here is the hard truth. Technology does not ask permission. It does not slow down because you are uncomfortable. It moves forward, whether you adapt or not.
Evan “Mose” Hyde said something important when he pointed out that media houses now watch advertising dollars flow daily to Google and Facebook, platforms that do not pay GST or local taxes the same way traditional media does. That frustration is understandable. But frustration is not a strategy. Complaining about Netflix did not save cable companies. Complaining about Airbnb did not save hotels. Complaining about Facebook did not stop social media from dominating advertising.
The same applies to Starlink. Belize cannot block innovation just because it disrupts existing players. That is not how strong economies grow. Strong economies compete. Weak ones protect inefficiency until it collapses under its own weight.
Starlink is not the enemy of BTL or Speednet. Facebook is not the enemy of radio. Instagram is not the enemy of newspapers. The real enemy is refusing to evolve. Media that survived did so by adapting their content, diversifying revenue, and embracing digital platforms instead of pretending they did not exist. Telecom companies that thrive are those investing in fiber, data services, cloud infrastructure, and value-added products, not those lobbying to keep competitors out.
The world has already voted. Consumers want faster internet, cheaper access, and global connectivity. Advertisers want reach, data, and measurable results. You cannot force people back into old systems by regulation alone. At best, you delay the inevitable. At worst, you make the country less competitive.
Belize must decide what kind of economy it wants. One that protects legacy models at all costs, or one that encourages innovation and competition while updating regulations to be fair and modern. That includes revisiting tax structures, yes. Global platforms should contribute fairly. But fairness should not be confused with fear of competition.
Starlink entering Belize should be a wake-up call, not a threat. It should push telecom companies to improve service and pricing. It should push media houses to rethink content, distribution, and monetization. It should push regulators to modernize rules instead of freezing the market in time.
You cannot regulate your way out of disruption. You can only innovate your way through it. Belize’s future will not be built by blocking new ideas. It will be built by competing with them.
The future is already here. The only question is who is ready for it.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author, Horace Palacio, and do not necessarily reflect the views or editorial stance of Breaking Belize News.
The post The real threat to Belize is refusing to evolve appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Horace Palacio: The debate around Starlink in Belize has exposed a deeper truth that goes far beyond internet access. It has revealed how parts of our economy and media still think the solution to disruption is protection, consolidation, or special treatment instead of adaptation. And that mindset is dangerous. BTL and Speednet say they
The post The real threat to Belize is refusing to evolve appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
