AmbergrisCaye.com Home
Posted By: Chris BTL Internet very poor for last 24 hours - 06/16/06 02:07 AM
If responses to your emails to Belize are slow it might be because the BTL Internet service has been very sketchy for the past day or so.

I'm paying $500.00US plus tax for two 1Mb connections and I'm barely able to browse at dial-up speeds. It's very intermittent. I've called BTL about 7 times today and they're "looking into it."
I have to agree. It appears that BTL has been fiddling with their filtering software lately. I've found a new speedtest that everyone should try to verify they are getting the broadband performance they are paying for. It also tests your VoIP capability...

http://myvoipspeed.visualware.com/

Just click on the START button...

You should get at least 75% of your stated BTL traffic level.
Posted By: Anonymous Re: BTL Internet very poor for last 24 hours - 06/16/06 03:10 PM
It's still dreadful. Are these people really incompetent or are they working on some new scam to trick the public?
Posted By: knowell Re: BTL Internet very poor for last 24 hours - 06/16/06 03:16 PM
Here is another free speed test you can use (unless the block it).

http://us.mcafee.com/root/speedometer/default.asp

Nothing worse than slow internet access.
Posted By: SimonB Re: BTL Internet very poor for last 24 hours - 06/16/06 03:28 PM
60K on a 128K line (McAfee) and it took 5 tries to get the page to load and 3 tries to get this post through.
Posted By: kwalkpt Re: BTL Internet very poor for last 24 hours - 06/16/06 07:19 PM
Was told that the PUC is having a press conference on Monday about VOIP.
Posted By: JZB Re: BTL Internet very poor for last 24 hours - 06/16/06 07:29 PM
Cable company's internet is affected by these same problems.
We are on coral cable and the past 2 days slow as molassis (sp?) and could barely get oon this morning.

Any conection between btl and coral cable?
Geeeeezzzzz...at least now I know it isn't just our connection!!! Can't even open an email without getting booted off! Vonage has worked for the last couple of days and then off again today......what's up?
Scuttlebutt is we'll be happier with PUC decision than BTL will be, but it doesn't sound like a whole lot more happiness. And laws too vague to stop BTL from humbugging voip in the interim and in the process, slowing down everyones speed. Which sits well with BTL,who ring in more dough from dial up customers. Aye!
SOOOO can someone explain to me how BTL's boondoggling effects people using Coral Cable? I don't understand how that can be....
cause coral cable uses btls system. btl has an exclusive link to the outside world.
seems way better tonight...but tests out at 8% vs 5% this afternoon. All relative..
Posted By: SimonB Re: BTL Internet very poor for last 24 hours - 06/17/06 02:06 PM
Hit 100K this morning, seems better and yesterday several people around town told me they had called in to complain (in one case 7 times), maybe they got the message.
MUCH better this morning...almost "normal"
Posted By: Chris Re: BTL Internet very poor for last 24 hours - 06/17/06 03:59 PM
The problem has not been with download speeds, streaming video, music etc. The problem is browsing using http and https and it's still pretty bad. Multiple attempts are often required to connect from page to page. We are far from being back to normal.
ditto Chris......getting from one site to another takes forever.
Posted By: Anonymous Re: BTL Internet very poor for last 24 hours - 06/17/06 04:44 PM
Taking up Chris' point, it makes accessing (a sequence of) secure sites well nigh impossible, as every time you're thrown out you have to go back to the start.
Posted By: SimonB Re: BTL Internet very poor for last 24 hours - 06/17/06 05:16 PM
Didn't have that problem earlier this morning but low and behold, we're back to the same sh.t again.
I have a few questions I'd like answered by somebody... PUC, legal experts...

1) Is VoIP illegal in Belize? I presume the answer to this specific question is NO.

2) What are the consequences of violating BTL's terms of service which specific prohibit the transmission of voice/video? I would imagine worst case scenario is they disconnect you, nothing criminal or civil. Has anybody ever been disconnected for violating the TOS? Has anybody ever been approached and slapped on the wrist?
Posted By: sdh Re: BTL Internet very poor for last 24 hours - 06/17/06 09:06 PM
Obviously BTL have been preparing for Monday.
Seems they have suceeded in blocking Skype.
Posted By: SimonB Re: BTL Internet very poor for last 24 hours - 06/18/06 12:41 AM
It's starting to feel like that they're blocking this site. Tonight has been disgusting!
Posted By: SimonB Re: BTL Internet very poor for last 24 hours - 06/18/06 03:09 AM
Blocking Skye! It's almost impossible to get to any site right now! The only thing that seems to work is SPAM.
ditto Chris......getting from one site to another takes forever.
Posted By: Tillie Re: BTL Internet very poor for last 24 hours - 06/20/06 03:38 AM
I am trying to reach my grandson and no email reply yet, how is the internet now today?
Posted By: SimonB Re: BTL Internet very poor for last 24 hours - 06/20/06 02:14 PM
Last 24 hours have been fine for me (of course now I've said that...)
I emailed Ramon's Dive Shop last week and finally got a response yesterday since their email was down. Now today I can't even get an email to go through. Guess I'll just have to go there and talk to them in person. Bummer! :-)
Not just BTL, DSL also!! What a pain in the arse!! They told me today to unplug and replug to get back the speed we use to have! Gotta Love It!
Posted By: spl Re: BTL Internet very poor for last 24 hours - 06/21/06 02:48 AM
BTL is DSL.
© Ambergris Caye Belize Message Board