B.T.L. to extend fiber optic line to Corozal

The first effort by B.T.L. to run a fiber optic cable from Belize City to Belmopan ended up with the U.S. contractor fleeing the country in the middle of the job. This time they hope things will be different. On Wednesday the telephone monopoly will sign a contract with a Mexican company, Alcatel Indetel Industria de Telecommunicaciones, to install an underground fiber optic cable between Belize City and Corozal Town. The eight point three million dollar project will, like the existing link to Belmopan, increase line capacity as well as open the possibility to emerging digital communication services, including live television transmissions. Construction will begin in May and is expected to be completed by the end of September.