Despite complaints, B.T.L. says all is well

Belize Telecommunications Limited made the switch over to its new seven-digit phone system on Wednesday, and while it was not as dramatic as Y2K, the company had plenty of staff on standby. They were kept busy with hardware adjustments, software tweaking, and thousands of customer inquiries, but although today many people were still grumbling, B.T.L. says all is well.

Suzette Tillett, B.T.L. Public Relations Manager

“As far as we know it, there isn’t a problem with the new number system. We did our conversions during the process of yesterday; all numbers were converted to the new system. There was a period where customers were only able to dial the new way, which was in the process of converting; I think it was yesterday morning. After that period, for the rest of yesterday customers were then able to dial both existing numbers and the new way.”

Jacqueline Woods

“Some customers have been calling to Channel 5, saying that they have problems getting through to certain phone numbers… and in general they have been having problems getting through to numbers.”

Suzette Tillett

“For those customers having problems getting through, we ask the to call 113 to verify what the number is. Because in some cases, what would happen is they would be calling an econo-phone or a prepaid phone, which you would have to dial 2-0 or 3-0, and they wouldn’t realise that that number is a prepaid phone. So in those cases, where you wouldn’t get through, it’s not because of the system, but it’s more because of you not knowing that it’s that type of service. So we ask you call 113 and verify that new number.”

Tillett reminds customers who are still unsure that a new brochure has been published explaining how the new system works and is available at all B.T.L. offices. Both old and new numbers will be used in parallel for a three month period.