A roundup of ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region during the period Monday 8 September to Sunday 14 September 2014.
Monday, 8 September 2014
Cable: URCA In ‘Uncharted Waters’ Over Price Caps
Bahamas – Cable Bahamas has warned regulators they will be “in uncharted waters” by proceeding with implementing price caps on its pay-TV and broadband Internet services, arguing that the latter’s costs had dropped by up to 45 per cent in the past two years… more
Harvard Prof Headlines Venture Capital Confab
Jamaica – Venture Capital expert Josh Lerner, Harvard Business School professor of investment banking, and chair of the university’s Entrepreneurial Management Unit, will be the keynote speaker at the Development Bank of Jamaica’s second annual venture capital conference to be held tomorrow at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston… more
ICT/BPO Risky, But Investors Motivated To Make Plunge
Jamaica – While supporting concerns raised about the wisdom of investing without a guarantee on returns, investors in the business of constructing ready-to-use facilities for the information and communication technology/business process outsourcing (ICT/BPO) market believe that such a venture is worth the risk… more
LIME increases its rates
Jamaica – LIME has increased call rates for some international destinations. The telecoms firm last week announced rate increases ranging from 62%, to as high as 700%… more
The Art Of The Curve: Samsung Style
Jamaica – Clear open skies, partnered with high-fashioned wellwishers and flashing paparazzi, made last Tuesday night one to remember… more
Technology: Using digital currencies to increase Caribbean participation in the internet economy
Regional – This article looks at a defined problem facing small Caribbean content creators who are attempting to monetize opportunities on the global stage but are left with the headache of resorting to traditional payment infrastructure to actually receive payment… more
Mobile developer opens T&T office
Trinidad and Tobago – United States mobile development company C7 Creative has expanded its operations to T&T. President and creative director Calvin Bryant, who confirmed the move in a recent newspaper interview… more
Tech tools to help autistic children
Trinidad and Tobago – If estimates are true, there are thousands of people with autism in this country. But only a few hundred are being treated… more
TSTT expands Tobago operations
Trinidad and Tobago – TELECOMMUNICATION Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) is nearing the completion of what will be the company’s largest customer experience store in Trinidad and Tobago…. more
E Jay Saunders to step down from post of Digicel CEO
Turks and Caicos Islands – CEO of Digicel TCI, E Jay Saunders has confirmed that at the end of October he will be leaving his post at the telecommunications company… more
Tuesday, 9 September 2014
BTC outlines USD170m spend; new player to sell shares in Bahamas
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC’s) main shareholders – the Bahamian government and Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) – have hailed the company’s USD56 million investment package for this year as its ‘largest single’ capital investment… more
Cable Appeal Over 27% Basic TV Price Rise Set For October
Bahamas – The Utilities Appeal Tribunal (UAT) will hear Cable Bahamas’ protest against the rejection of its request for a 27 per cent increase in the price of its basic (PRIME) pay-TV package over a three-day period in October… more
BUSINESS BYTE: Digicel and Samsung ignite excitement for WCMF
Dominica – Digicel Dominica joined forces with leading electronics manufacturer, Samsung, to bring the excitement of the World Creole Music Festival (WCMF)… more
iNet selects Eutelsat satellite solution
Guyana – Global Technology Group has selected Eutelsat Communications’ IP Easy broadband service to bolster the delivery of high speed internet services across Guyana. Global Technology will utilise Eutelsat’s solution to provide broadband with downlink speeds of 512kbps-10Mbps via its local unit iNet Communications… more
NMFU is not the competent authority to grant a telecoms licence
Guyana – Dear Editor, I read with passing interest the September 4 Kaieteur News article, ‘Ramroop internet company launches hi-speed service without telecoms licence.’ … more
Jamaican credit unions move forward with mobile wallet pilot
Jamaica – Mozido, a mobile financial services provider, and the Jamaica Cooperative Credit Union League, through its subsidiary Centralized Strategic Services Ltd, have partnered to create a mobile wallet, branded as Jamaica Credit Unions E-payment Services… more
CARIRI and CANTO Sign MOU
Regional – The Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) and CANTO signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday 3rd September 2014 to work together to strengthen the region’s ability to develop, promote and commercialise mobile applications… more
Wednesday, 10 September 2014
BTC Has Paid $244,000 Fine
Bahamas – THE BTC has paid in full a $244,000 anti-competitive behaviour fine recently levied against the company by the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA), according to Chief Executive Officer Leon Williams… more
CEO: BTC must be ‘smarter’ after URCA fine
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) must “work smarter” in the future to avoid further penalties from the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA), according to Leon Williams, CEO of BTC… more
Relief From Poor BTC Service Is Pledged ‘By November’
Bahamas – AMID numerous complaints of poor cellular service from Bahamas Telecommunications (BTC), company Chief Executive Officer Leon Williams promised customers yesterday that they could expect relief “by the end of October or November.” … more
Williams: BTC’s service may not improve for another two months
Bahamas – Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) CEO Leon Williams yesterday suggested that previous upgrades to BTC’s mobile network were not effective enough and service may not improve for another two months… more
Jobs lost at WestStar following takeover
Cayman Islands – At least 12 people, including some senior managers, have been made redundant as a result of the takeover of cable company WestStar by rival telecommunications firm Logic, the Cayman Compass has learned… more
15,000 Youth to Benefit from US$20 Million Digital and Animation Project
Jamaica – Some 15,000 young Jamaicans are to benefit from employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in the digital and animation industries under a US$20 million five-year project being undertaken by the Government… more
Digicel moves one step closer to Cable TV
Jamaica – Telecoms giant Digicel moves one step closer to providing cable TV service to Jamaicans when the company engages in a symbolic handover of Telstar Cable on Thursday, September 11… more
IDB approves $60m for mobile money
Jamaica – THE Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) yesterday approved a US$530,000 ($60-million-grant to help expand the ongoing mobile money for microfinance (M3) project… more
Parenting with technology
Jamaica – This week we introduce a new feature, Parenting with Technology, where parents will share how they use technology to help their children learn… more
Start-Up Jamaica Got Off The Mark
Jamaica – START-UP JAMAICA (SUJ) moved into gear recently with the start of a five-day intensive workshop for the 60 entrepreneurs who were selected from a large number of applicants to participate in the inaugural phase of the initiative… more
Step Up And Act, Broadcasting Commission
Jamaica – I have been following the situation regarding the piracy of television signals in Jamaica very closely during the last 12 months and had the opportunity to attend a seminar hosted by Samuda & Johnson on the protection of intellectual property in February, during which this topic was explored… more
Viber, other free call services are like squatters, says CEO of LIME’s parent
Jamaica – PHIL Bentley likened Viber and other free call services to squatters… more
OneSimCard reduces roaming charges in LatAm countries
Regional – OneSimCard, a global provider of low cost international mobile roaming services for businesses and travellers, announced roaming rate reductions for voice calls and internet data throughout Latin America… more
Thursday, 11 September 2014
Gov’t Told: Abandon Vat On E-Commerce
Bahamas – The Government is being urged to abandon plans to levy Value-Added Tax (VAT) on e-commerce transactions, and thereby avoid “stepping over dollars to get pennies”… more
Trendy app-approach to business
Barbados – Gregory Hughes is the head of a young small business that he expects to do big things. Interact With Us Inc. was registered in October 2007 and for the last seven years, unknown to most Barbadians, the company has worked on the development of a special mobile app… more
Over $60,000 For Digicel 4G Computer Lab In St. Patrick
Grenada – The community of Mt. Rose and the St. Rose Seventh-Day Adventist Comprehensive School in Mt. Rose, St. Patrick are the beneficiary of a full Digicel 4G Computer Lab… more
Digicel completes purchase of Telstar Cable
Jamaica – Telecoms giant Digicel announced Thursday that it has completed the purchase of Telstar Cable Limited in Jamaica to increase its cable TV footprint in the Caribbean market… more
Art Of Graphix: Face Up To Internet Presence Necessity
Regional – Many small business owners believe their company will not benefit from having a website due to its size, or possibly because of their inability to use a computer… more
Minister Glenn Phillip to host Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) meetings
Regional – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunications, the Hon. Glenn Phillip is getting ready to host a high-level group of Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) members in St. Kitts… more
LTE: Preserving culture and promoting business
Trinidad and Tobago – DEEP in the southland, amidst cocoa estates and sprawling landscapes, is a small farming community known as Rancho Quemado. Often regarded as a model community, Rancho Quemado is perhaps most recognised for its environmental uniqueness and commitment to preserving its cultural heritage… more
Friday, 12 September 2014
Antigua offers a new proposal to end Internet gambling dispute with U.S.
Antigua and Barbuda – In the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail there’s a scene where The Black Knight valiantly defends a tiny foot bridge. Despite pleas by Sir Arthur to step down, the Black Knight refuses and fights the king… more
Customer service in the palm of your hand – Digicel
British Virgin Islands – From today, Digicel customers in the British Virgin Islands can take care of many of their customer service needs straight from their handsets thanks to the new My Digicel mobile app, available now in the Google Play Store… more
“Three telephone companies; one will die” – Skelton
British Virgin Islands – Another minister in the National Democratic Party government, Ronnie Skelton, has lamented the fact that a third telephone company was allowed to operate in the British Virgin Islands, adding that one of the three will collapse mainly due to the relatively small size of the local market… more
CVM Hit By ‘Da Vinci’ F-Bombs
Jamaica – THE EDITOR, Sir: Recently, several people have come forward lashing out at CVM TV’s acquisition of the rights to a number of American cable shows… more
Digicel Plans To Go Nat’l With Cable TV Service
Jamaica – Digicel and Telstar Cable Limited have closed the deal on the mobile company’s acquisition of the subscriber television company, whose services the new owner eventually plans to grow nationwide… more
Gov’t Eyes Nationwide Monitoring System
Jamaica – AN AGREEMENT between the Government and telecommunications operators will see the creation of a platform that will allow state agents to view activities at critical locations on the island from a central point… more
Digicel completes acquisition of Submarine Fibre Assets across the Caribbean Government and regulatory approvals in place
Regional – Digicel has received the required approvals from Government and regulatory authorities with regard to its purchase of a submarine fibre network across the Caribbean region from the Guadeloupe-based Loret Group and Caribbean Fibre Holdings and the transaction is now complete, it was announced on September 12, 2014… more
Phil Bentley Positive About LIME’s Future
Regional – Phil Bentley, Cable and Wireless Communications’ chief executive, made a quick trip to Jamaica recently and addressed journalists on many issues during a LIME press conference held at the telecoms company’s corporate offices in St Andrew… more
Digicel Re-Launches App
Saint Lucia – As of today Friday 12th September, Digicel customers can take care of many of their customer service needs right from their handsets thanks to the new look My Digicel app… more
AG sues Rowley over E-mailgate
Trinidad and Tobago – Attorney General Anand Ramlogan has filed yet another defamation lawsuit against Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley, this time for his role in the controversial E-mailgate scandal… more
Errors and omissions
Trinidad and Tobago – Part I. I have known Larry Howai for a long time. I respect his intelligence as I do that of his colleague, Vasant Bharath… more
Saturday, 13 September 2014
Telephone installation not done because neighbourhood feeder cable damaged
Guyana – Dear Editor, Please allow me to respond to Mr Neil Adams’ letter to the editor captioned ‘Can’t get telephone fixed,’ which was carried in the Tuesday, September 2 issue of the Stabroek News… more
Digicel to build Jamaica cable TV network within 3 years
Jamaica – DIGICEL plans to build out an islandwide digital cable and home broadband network within three years, says Barry O’Brien… more
Digicel takes control of submarine assets
Regional – Digicel, the fastest-growing wireless telecommunications operator in the Caribbean, has further expanded its cable and broadband footprint with the acquisition of a submarine fibre network that gives it a reach of some 3,100km across the region… more
Sunday, 14 September 2014
LIME responds to WestStar, Logic deal
Cayman Islands – Cayman Islands telco Cable & Wireless, which operates under the LIME banner, has responded to the proposed transfer of the ownership of domestic telecoms operator WestStar from Botcat Holdings to WestTel Limited (trading in the country as Logic)… more
Luncheon distances OP from Ramroop’s iNet
Guyana – George Melville, the Chief Executive Officer of iNet Communications this past week boasted that the entire government runs on the infrastructure of that Internet Service Provider but this claim is being rebuffed… more
The information technology, important tools for development…
Haiti – Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister, in charge of Human Rights and the Fight Against Extreme Poverty participated this week in the forum “Activate Talks: Technological Innovation for the children of Haiti”, a UNICEF initiative… more
Digicel completes purchase of Caribbean fibre network
Jamaica – DIGICEL got the regulatory nod to buy a submarine fibre network from Guadeloupe-based Loret Group and Caribbean Fibre Holdings… more
Govt Continues To Create Environment For Technology And Innovation
Jamaica – Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Julian Robinson, says the Government will continue to create the enabling environment for technology and innovation… more
MoBay school leavers among over 10,000 with new jobs
Jamaica – More and more school leavers in St James are gaining much-needed employment in the rapidly growing business process outsourcing (BPO) industry which now provides more than 10,000 jobs in Montego Bay, and which has established itself as the hub for the IT sector in Jamaica… more
Three Jamaicans vying for tech start-up funds reach semi-finals of global contest
Jamaica – Three Jamaicans who are competing for US$15,000 ($1.6 million) are semi-finalists in the Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) Tech-I competition… more
Image credit: Wikipedia; Wikimedia; Facebook; Wikipedia
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