A roundup of ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region during the period Monday 21 July to Sunday 27 July 2014.
Monday, 21 July 2014
Johnson Bows Out At BTC
Bahamas – MARLON Johnson, vice president of sales and marketing at the Bahamas Telecommunications Company, was tight-lipped yesterday over the terms of his resignation from the organisation… more
Vietnam shows interest in Dominican telecoms sector
Dominican Republic – The government of Vietnam has expressed interest in investing in the telecommunications sector in the Dominican Republic… more
PM Lamothe threatens lawsuit for Digicel articles
Haiti – Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, in questionable propriety, sent two government officials and an agent of the administration to threaten on three occasions in the past 48 hours a lawsuit against Defend Haiti over articles published in The Haiti Sentinel; articles regarding Digicel’s block of VoIP applications which, less than a month later, forced it to reverse… more
Towards computer interconnection of 10 Departmental Directorates of Education
Haiti – As part of the modernization of system of information management, the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training wishes interconnect the 10 Departmental Directorates of Educations (DDE) of the country with the central office of the Ministry… more
Digicel close to complete first phase of fibre project
Jamaica – Digicel Jamaica expects to complete the first phase of its fibre optic deployment in the country by the end of July, The Jamaica Gleaner reports… more
Computers stolen from the differently-abled
Saint Kitts and Nevis – MEMBERS of the St. Kitts-Nevis Association of Persons with Disabilities (SKNAPD) has been dealt a huge blow after five computers – among other items – were burgled from their computer lap located in the McKnight Community Centre… more
Public Sector Information Security Prioritized
Saint Kitts and Nevis – A two-day workshop designed by The Department of Information Technology to strengthen and preserve the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information within the public sector concluded today (June 20)… more
TATT & UWI working together in new cyber safety project
Trinidad and Tobago – The Telecommunications Authority of T&T (TATT) and The University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine will launch a cyber safety awareness project on Wednesday at 4 pm… more
Tuesday, 22 July 2014
BTC introduces ‘Everyday Bahamas’ photo and video contests
Bahamas – BTC is introducing two contests that will highlight Everyday Bahamian culture, and will offer big prizes… more
Opposition says Paulwell ‘hustling’ Spectrum licences
Jamaica – Opposition spokesman on Science, Environment and ICT, Dr Andrew Wheatley, says that Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Phillip Paulwell has been “hustling off” the country’s spectrum resources to help meet short term government commitments… more
Caribbean businesses, governments and people could be losing millions to cyber criminals
Regional – The Caribbean cyber security center (CCSC) continues to urge the Caribbean region to take the growing threat from cyber criminals and hackers seriously… more
Computers for Persons with Disabilities Stolen over the Weekend
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Just days after receiving specially customized computers and other pieces of equipment from the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation [SIDF], the St. Kitts-Nevis Association of Persons with Disabilities [SKNAPD] was dismayed to learn of the theft of some of the new equipment… more
blink | bmobile Introduces Hotel Entertainment Solutions
Trinidad and Tobago – A new element of the BLINK Entertainment product has arrived to the shores of Tobago, and according to TSTT, it is specifically designed for the hospitality industry… more
Wednesday, 23 July 2014
BTC CEO says share transfer deal concluded
Bahamas – Nearly six months after Prime Minister Perry Christie announced the new Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) deal, BTC CEO Leon Williams said yesterday the deal is finalized and a public announcement will be made very soon… more
Williams: BTC not ready for competition
Bahamas – As the government undertakes the process of bringing another company into the telecommunications sector, Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) CEO Leon Williams said yesterday that BTC employees’ jobs are at risk as the company faces competition… more
B.T.L. and B.E.L. Nationalizations Heard at CCJ
Belize – The seemingly unending litigation involving the government’s acquisition of the country’s telecommunications and electric utilities became complicated long ago… more
Open Mobile moves call centre to Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic – Puerto Rican telecoms operator Open Mobile has dismissed 50 employees following the company’s decision to migrate its call centre to the Dominican Republic… more
Forum of National Centre for Geo-Spatial Information
Haiti – From June 23 to 26 will be held at the Hotel Karibe the Forum of National Centre for Geo-Spatial Information (CNIGS), this Forum marks the end of the Programme of Territorial Information for Sustainable Development (PITDD) (started in 2006) co-funded by the Government of Haiti and the European Union… more
Battle for social media
Jamaica – THE fierce rivalry between telecoms giants LIME and Digicel has now moved into the social media arena as both companies battle for supremacy in the fast-growing communication medium… more
Distribution of tablets to teachers for e-Learning project begins
Jamaica – THE distribution of 25,000 tablets to teachers and students under the Tablets in Schools (TIS) Pilot Project began Monday with the delivery of approximately 180 devices… more
Don’t allow telecoms firms to drag Ja backwards
Jamaica – RECENTLY our telecoms providers have indicated their intent to block our access to VoIP services, and in so doing undermine the significant advances Jamaica has made in the manner in which we conduct business… more
No Widespread Problems With Alcatel Phones – Digicel
Jamaica – THE EDITOR, Sir: I write in response to a letter from Digicel customer, T.C., which was published in The Gleaner on Saturday, July 19, regarding challenges he experienced with the Alcatel DL 600 device purchased from one of our dealer stores… more
IT Specialist Bemoans Move By Telecoms Companies To Block VoIP In Some Caribbean Territories
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Over the last month Digicel and LIME have blocked access to VoIP providers, such as Viber, Tango and Nimbuzz in Jamaica, Haiti and Trinidad, claiming these companies use their networks to provide services but do not pay for access… more
New computer lab for Children’s Home thanks to GTECH/Caribbean Lottery
Saint Kitts and Nevis – RESIDENTS of the St. Christopher Children’s Home are expected to reap many technological and educational benefits from the launch of the After School Advantage (ASA) Programme – an imitative of Caribbean Lottery’s parent company, GTECH Corporation… more
Thursday, 24 July 2014
BTC CEO Leon Williams pays courtesy call to Dr. Hubert Minnis
Bahamas – Recently appointed BTC CEO, Leon Williams, made a courtesy call to the Parliament Street offices of the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Dr. Hubert A. Minnis… more
BTC Targeting Global Dropped Call Standard
Bahamas – Newly-appointed Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) chief executive, Leon Williams, is aiming to reduce the carrier’s dropped call levels to below the international standard of 1.8 per cent… more
GT&T hosts 40 work study students
Guyana – Forty students from various secondary, technical and tertiary institutions across the country on Monday began a six-week work study attachment programme at GT&T… more
Natcom denies rumors of acquisition by Digicel
Haiti – Wednesday at a press conference in the office of Natcom, Trien Nguyen Dang, the CEO of the Natcom, categorically denied the rumors that have been circulating for almost a month at his competitor distributors, leaving believe that Digicel intends to purchase the Natcom… more
Jamaican regulator to analyse VoIP blockades
Jamaica – Jamaica’s Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) said it plans to further analyse whether VoIP services can be considered as illegal bypass before deciding whether local mobile operator Lime and Digicel can continue to block VoIP applications from its networks, The Jamaica Gleaner reports… more
Pittsburgh residents warned to look out for Jamaican scammers
Jamaica – A warning has been issued to residents of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania in the US to be on the look out for the Jamaican lottery scam… more
How Caribbean Media Content Is Being Disrupted By Digital
Regional – The much maligned but highly useful Wikipedia defines content creation as: “the contribution of information to any media and most especially to digital media for an end-user/audience….” more
Nevis Disaster Management Department launches smart phone application
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The Nevis Disaster Management Department (NDMD) launched an Application “app” on July 22, 2014, at a launching ceremony at its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at Long Point… more
TSTT finalising $1.5 billion loan
Trinidad and Tobago – State-controlled telecoms company Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) is finalising a $1.5 billion loan to transform itself into a more streamline, more technologically advanced mobile and internet services provider… more
Friday, 25 July 2014
Dominica to host workshop to establish national CIRT
Dominica – The Ministry of Information, Telecommunications and Constituency Empowerment in collaboration with the Ministry of National Security, Immigration and Labour and the Establishment, Personnel and Training Department will next week host a Training Workshop on “Forensics, Strategy Development and Establishment of a National Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT)… more
Natcom denies rumours of Digicel acquisition
Haiti – Trien Nguyen Dang, CEO of Vietnamese/Haitian state joint venture cellco Natcom, has refuted speculations that rival operator Digicel is planning to acquire the company, Haiti Libre reports… more
Columbus offers IT solution for logistics hub entrepreneurs
Jamaica – YOUNG entrepreneurs looking to capitalise on opportunities from Jamaica’s logistics hub are urged to consider a revolutionary communication system being offered by Columbus Business Solutions (CBS)… more
Consumers happy with LIME, dissatisfied with JPS
Jamaica – THE Jamaica Public Service (JPS) and LIME Jamaica came out on opposite ends of the latest consumer survey of utility companies conducted by the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR)… more
KSAC seeks to improve efficiency through ICT
Jamaica – THE Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) is seeking to improve the efficiency of its operations through the introduction of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solutions… more
LIME targets US$45 million in operating profit
Jamaica – TELECOMS provider LIME Jamaica aims to make US$45 million (J$5b) in operating profit for its financial year ending 2015, or 80 per cent more year on year… more
Cable & Wireless Communications Plc First Quarter Interim Management Statement
Regional – This interim management statement provides an update on the First Quarter performance and financial position of the Group since the year ended 31 March 2014… more
Caribbean Telecommunications Report Q3 2014: New Research Report Available at Fast Market Research
Regional – Despite the relative small size of the individual Caribbean markets, they are drawing a lot of interest from third parties, with a number of opportunities arising in the Bahamas and Trinidad & Tobago for additional players… more
Hill predicts TSTT’s return to profitability
Trinidad and Tobago – TSTT acting CEO George Hill said the majority state-owned telecommunications provider expects to make a profit in the financial year ending March 31, 2015, as the company completes the second year of a five-year strategic plan… more
Wilson notes rise in Telecom sector
Trinidad and Tobago – TELECOMMUNICATIONS Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) chairman Selby Wilson has noted a four percent growth in the value of TT’s telecommunications and broadcast sectors to a figure last year of $5.5 billion… more
Saturday, 26 July 2014
WestStar blamed for LIME internet crash
Cayman Islands – Local telecommunications firm LIME suffered a seven hour fixed line and internet crash Thursday afternoon because one of its competitors cut through one of its cables… more
LIME launches Top-Up & Win Sweepstake
Dominica – LIME Dominica has announced that it is giving customers another opportunity to gain more value for money on the LIME network… more
LIME Jamaica sees big jump in subscriber base
Jamaica – Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) has announced that its Jamaican operation continues to record strong growth in its subscriber base… more
Sunday, 27 July 2014
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Image credits: Eleutheran News; Wikimedia Commons; Wikipedia
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