A roundup of ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 19 January to 25 January 2015.
Monday, 19 January 2015
BTC Mobile Rival Must Beat 1% Dropped Calls
Bahamas – The winning bidder for the second cellular licence is being required to meet higher service standards than the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) from the off, as it must achieve a monthly ‘dropped calls’ average of less than 1 per cent… more
Cellular Revenues Per User Up Despite Subscriber Fall-Off
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) average revenue per user (ARPU) in the cellular market grew by almost 25 per cent in 2013, despite a market that declined slightly in terms of subscriber numbers… more
LIME warns of email scam
Cayman Islands – LIME is alerting its customers of a phishing email that is circulating… more
Phishing scam targets LIME customers
Cayman Islands – A number of unsuspecting LIME customers have been targeted in the latest email scam. In recent days, some customers received emails with a false claim about the status of their accounts and asking them to click a link to verify the problem… more
FTC taking Digicel/Claro merger to Privy Council
Jamaica – THE Fair Trading Commission (FTC) is now seeking to challenge, at the United Kingdom-based Privy Council, last year’s decision by the Court of Appeal on the Digicel/Claro merger… more
Jamaica’s Cell Hell
Jamaica – Many years ago, our premier cellular phone service provider disappointed its subscribers so much that many of us migrated to the new kid on the block… more
LIME and Flow merger gets green light in Jamaica
Regional – Jamaica’s Minister of Science, Technology, Energy & Mining, Phillip Paulwell, has approved the proposed merger between the Jamaican subsidiaries of Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) and Columbus Communications, which comes as part of a wider USD3 billion regional tie-up which was first announced in November 2014… more
Protect Yourself against Hacking & Computer Security Threats By Deon Olton B.Sc. CEH, Chief Technology Officer – Caribbean Cyber Security
Regional – Over the past 24 months, Barbados as well the rest of the Caribbean, has experienced a rise in data and network breaches. Organisations in both the private and public sectors in Barbados, like the well-publicized hacking of ATMS, Government agencies and departments as well as banks… more
St Vincent PM wants new legislation to strengthen ICT sector
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – A three-day workshop examining technology and telecommunications issues in the Eastern Caribbean began in St Vincent on Monday with Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves underscoring the need to enact legislation to develop the sector in the sub-region… more
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Growing LIME
Barbados – Telecoms giant Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC), which trades here as LIME, has embarked on a US$100 million investment in Barbados as it awaits regulatory approval for its proposed merger with Columbus Communications… more
Morgan accused of stealing from LIME
British Virgin Islands – A Digicel employee has been called to the witness stand in the Magistrate’s Court to give evidence against Vibert Morgan who is accused of stealing two batteries belonging to telecommunications company LIME BVI… more
OUR to choose number portability licensee in 2 weeks
Jamaica – The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) is to select a number portability licensee in another two weeks, as the Government’s May 31 deadline for implementation of the system draws closer… more
Cable & Wireless Continues IT Transformation through Cloud Infrastructure Partnership with Virtacore
Regional – -Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC), a leader of full-service telecommunications solutions serving Latin America and the Caribbean, announced its continued long-standing partnership with Virtacore Systems to provide infrastructure and cloud-related services for CWC’s diverse business units… more
CWU regrets Jamaica approval of Columbus/CWC
Regional – The Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) yesterday expressed “deep regret and concern” at the decision of the Jamaican Government to approve the acquisition of Columbus International Inc by Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC)… more
Search engine to Connect Caribbean
Regional – The West Indies Federation tried it, albeit through different means, and now Connect-In Caribbean Corporation is hoping to bring the countries in the region closer together… more
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
Web Shops Pay $12-$13m Taxes
Bahamas – The Government has collected some $12-$13 million in taxes from web shops to-date, the Minister of Tourism said yesterday, adding that 10 applicants had paid the $10,000 necessary to obtain a copy of the licence tender… more
Be vigilant of improper service
Barbados – THERE IS A SAYING that when two elephants clash, the grass suffers… more
Gov’t launches new website
British Virgin Islands – Are you interested in applying for an assistance grant from government? You still can’t apply online, but you can now find information on the topic on government’s new website, which was launched on Tuesday during a press conference at the Premier’s Office… more
Scotiabank’s contact centre jobs to remain in Jamaica
Jamaica – The Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) has shed light on the decision by Scotiabank Jamaica to restructure its contact centre, resulting in 200 positions being made redundant… more
Scotiabank Contact Centre To Make 200 Positions Redundant
Jamaica – Two hundred positions at Scotiabank Jamaica’s contact centre are to be made redundant… more
Scotiabank restructures its call centre operations
Jamaica – SCOTIABANK is restructuring the operations of its contact centre via an affiliate company – Finbiz… more
Digicel Acquires the Bermuda Telephone Company
Regional – Digicel has agreed to acquire the Bermuda Telephone Company (BTC) in an attempt to keep up with Cable and Wireless, who bought Caribbean’s dominant telecom capacity vendor Columbus International last November… more
Thursday, 22 January 2015
Tricom announces triple-play device, USD 67 mln investment
Dominican Republic – Dominican operator Tricom, recently acquired by cable group Altice, has announced the launch of a new all-in-one device, dubbed Tricom SmartBox, giving users triple-play access to HD… more
Bogus detective tries to seize QC students’ smart phones
Guyana – Police have detained a man who pretended to be a detective and tried to seize smart phones from several students of Queen’s College yesterday morning … more
CWC’s Flow Buyout A Positive Step
Jamaica – THE EDITOR, Sir: As the transfer of control of Columbus Communications Jamaica (Flow) to Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) gets on its way, I can foresee many positives that will come out of it that will not only be good for both entities but the general public… more
Digicel to offer music streaming service on smartphones
Jamaica – Digicel Group on Thursday announced a service with leading global music streaming provider, Rdio, to offer Digicel customers across the globe access to over 35 million international titles as well as the very best local and regional music, on their own smartphones… more
Gov’t sticking to May 31 number portability deadline
Jamaica – GOVERNMENT is sticking to its May 31 deadline for the implementation of number portability, which will allow Jamaicans to keep their assigned cell numbers if they choose to switch mobile service provider… more
LIME says it’s ready for Local Number Portability
Jamaica – LIME in a release sent out a short while ago says it is ready for the introduction of Local Number Portability (LNP) which is scheduled for implementation on May 31… more
TelEm Group informs customers of internet interruptions from Midnight Friday to correct slow internet problem.
Sint Maarten – TelEm Group will be carrying out important upgrades of the company’s internet infrastructure Friday evening to cope with a flood in customer demand for additional bandwidth and faster internet… more
Cyber security predictions for 2015
Regional – Our 2014 predictions and awareness mission covered attack vectors across websites, data, email, and networks due a rise in malware infestations as well as a rise in persons being victims of cybercrime across the Caribbean… more
Friday, 23 January 2015
BTC’s Campaign To Be Less ‘Nassau Centric’
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) chief executive said yesterday he was pushing to make it less “Nassau centric”, with cellular and broadband Internet upgrades combining with its new pay-TV offering to benefit a wider consumer population… more
BTC Offers ‘Try Before Buy’ Business Solution
Bahamas – Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) executives yesterday hailed their newly-launched ‘Business Solutions Centre’ as a cost-effective initiative that will boost private sector profits… more
Low cost mobile roaming now available in Cuba
Cuba – OneSimCard, a global provider of low cost international mobile roaming services for businesses and leisure travelers, has announced the availability of low cost voice roaming and text messaging in Cuba and throughout Latin America… more
GRENADA-TECHNOLOGY-Government wants help in dealing with illegal use of technology
Grenada – Social Development Minister Delma Thomas has called on Grenadians to desist from using the internet for illegal activities as police continue their probe to determine how a number of pornographic photos, some showing school children, have been posted on various websites… more
JAMAICA-TECHOLOGY-US help for Jamaica technology sector
Jamaica – The United States will assist Jamaica increase internet access for citizens in rural parishes as well as implement clean, sustainable energy initiatives in the country… more
LIME customers may say adios to Spanglish at customer care
Jamaica – The merger with Columbus Communications and LIME parent, Cable & Wireless PLC, could result in Canadian firm Telus International losing its customer service contract with LIME Jamaica, according to LIME Jamaica president Garry Sinclair… more
LIME getting ready for number portability
Jamaica – Telecommunications company, LIME, has declared that it is getting ready for the May 31 implementation of Local Number Portability… more
BUSINESS BYTE: Digicel Group partners with Rdio to offer world class music streaming on smartphones
Regional – Digicel Group on Thursday announced a ground breaking service with leading global music streaming provider, Rdio, to offer Digicel customers across the globe access to over 35 million international titles – as well as the very best local and regional music – all on their own smartphones… more
TRINIDAD-MEDIA-E-mail account of investigative reporter hacked
Trinidad and Tobago – The Trinidad Express newspaper Friday reported that the email account of its senior investigative reporter, Anika Gumbs, had been hacked into and that several people on her contact list have received requests for funds amounting to US$1,700… more
Saturday, 24 January 2015
200 Tablets For Galina Primary
Jamaica – Smiles adorned the faces of dozens of young children in St Mary last week following the delivery of some 200 tablet computers to Galina Primary and Infant School… more
Jamaica gets US help in islandwide Internet coverage
Jamaica – The Government of Jamaica is receiving support from the United States to increase access to the Internet in rural parishes and implement sustainable energy initiatives in the country… more
Sunday, 25 January 2015
Let Technology Lead Way In Education
Jamaica – The merger of education and innovation in this decade as the standard modus operandi is, without contradiction, one of the most important things the ministry tasked with educating the populace can do… more
National Cyber Security strategy to be launched
Jamaica – The National Cyber Security Strategy is to be launched this week… more
Flow & the Caribbean Cyber Security Centre Wants Our Children to Think Before They Click & Surf
Regional – The Internet could be an amazing place – its where you find great ways to keep in touch with your friends and family, play games and access resources. But it can also be a very dangerous place… more
Image credits: journalismthatmatters (flickr); Marketing Magazine; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikipedia
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