TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary .......................................................................................................... 4 An Introduction to Belize ................................................................................................. 10 Geographical and Population Distribution ................................................................... 10 Economy ..................................................................................................................... 14 National ICT Strategy Background ................................................................................. 16 ICT Strategy and National Socio-Economic Development .......................................... 16 ICT Strategy Methodology .............................................................................................. 21 Belize’s Approach to ICT Strategy Development ........................................................ 21 The Current State – ICT in Belize 2011 .......................................................................... 23 e-Readiness Defined ................................................................................................... 23 Belize’s Technology Penetration ............................................................................. 25 Internet Affordability in Belize .................................................................................. 26 Internet Access in Belize ......................................................................................... 27 ICT Education in Belize ........................................................................................... 28 ICT in the Belizean Workforce ................................................................................. 29 ICT in Government of Belize.................................................................................... 30 ICT in Belizean Commerce ...................................................................................... 34 ICT in Belizean Businesses ..................................................................................... 35 ICT Legal Framework in Belize ................................................................................ 36 ICT Trade Policy and Regulations in Belize ............................................................ 37 Telecommunications Policy in Belize....................................................................... 38 Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 39 Belize National ICT Strategy 2011 - 2016 ....................................................................... 40 National ICT Vision ...................................................................................................... 40 Enhancing and Harmonizing the National Telecommunication Infrastructure ......... 44 Enhancing Education Using Ict ................................................................................ 46 Developing the eCommerce Infrastructure .............................................................. 47 Connect Belize – Bridging the Digital Divide ........................................................... 51 Creating Jobs – Developing the local ICT Industry .................................................. 55 Modernizing the Public Sector Using ICT ................................................................ 59 Summary of Key Programs ................................................................................................. 62 Belize ICT National Strategy 2

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