A roundup of ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 9 February to Sunday 15 February 2015.
Monday, 9 February 2015
EDUCATE BOTH THE YOUNG AND OLD: World Safer Internet Day
Barbados – Educating both the young and the old about online privacy and information security remains a top priority for Barbados’ leading telecommunications provider… more
21-y-o suspected of lottery scamming, charged
Jamaica – The police are reporting the arrest of 21-year-old Alshane Wilson of Whitehall, Maggotty in St Elizabeth, for breaches of the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transaction) (Special Provisions) Act 2013 on Monday, February 9… more
Govt takes aim at cybercrime
Trinidad and Tobago – Government is aggressively drafting effective legislation to combat cybercrime, says Cornell Buckradee, advisor to Science and Technology Minister Dr Rupert Griffith. Speaking on behalf of the minister at the virtual launch of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s (CTU) headquarters in Port-of-Spain… more
Tuesday, 10 February 2015
BTC reaches 314,000 mobile telephony subscribers
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), part of Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC), reached 314,000 mobile telephony subscribers by the end December 2014, up compared to 307,000 at end-December 2013… more
Man Claims BTL Gave Away His Idea To Make Someone Else Rich!
Belize – Intellectual property rights is something we don’t hear too much about in Belize – but it’s in the law – and now, one Belizean entrepreneur is claiming BTL, broke it when the company gave away his idea – to make someone else rich! … more
LIME Foundation extends ‘Safer Internet Day’ message to the elderly
Jamaica – LIME Foundation says it is using today’s observance of Safer Internet Day to spread awarenes s about the worldwide computer network among young people and the elderly… more
Cable & Wireless Communications Plc Third Quarter Trading Update
Regional – This announcement provides an update on the Third Quarter performance and financial position of the Group since the six months ended 30 September 2014… more
Cable & Wireless third-quarter mobile revenue rises four percent
Regional – Cable & Wireless Communications Plc said its mobile revenue rose 4 percent in the third quarter, driven by subscriber growth across Panama and the Caribbean, excluding the Bahamas… more
LIME ends 2014 with 1.33 mln mobile subscribers
Regional – Lime, the Caribbean business of Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC), reached 1.33 million mobile subscribers, up from 1.19 million a year before… more
Safer Internet Day: Some practical cybersafety tips
Regional – The Internet is rapidly changing, providing Caribbean citizens with new opportunities, but also creating new risks for children, parents, teachers, politicians and businessmen… more
Wednesday, 11 February 2015
BTC Faces 20% Income Cut Via Monopoly End
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) is bracing for a 20 per cent cut in income over the next four years as a result of losing its lucrative cellular monopoly, it was revealed yesterday… more
Cable To BTC Controller: ‘We’ve Proven Ourselves’
Bahamas – Cable Bahamas last night shrugged off efforts by the Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) controlling shareholder to dismiss the potential competitive threat it poses in the mobile market, saying: “Our record speaks for itself.” … more
Digicel customers will never lose unused data again
Barbados – Digicel 4G Data customers will no longer have to worry about losing their unused data when their current plan expires, thanks to the introduction of Rollover Data by the island’s leading telecommunications company… more
Radio – A means for change
Barbados – Tomorrow the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) celebrates World Radio Day… more
Netflix now available in Cuba but can anyone afford or access it?
Cuba – Starting on Monday, people in Cuba with internet connections and access to international payment methods are now able to subscribe to Netflix and watch a curated selection of popular movies and TV shows… more
Netflix Now In Cuba
Cuba – Cubans Will Gain Access to A Broad Range of Original Series, Movies, Documentaries, Stand-up Comedy Specials and TV Shows Starting At $7.99… more
Fear Leaves Jamaicans Hesitant To Bank Online
Jamaica – AGAINST THE background that research now shows that most persons have never experienced a cybercrime, or even know of someone who has, many Jamaicans are still shying away from banking online, due to the perception that cybercrime is rampant… more
Flow’s MD Sean Latty joins Digicel as COO
Jamaica – Former managing director of Columbus Communications Jamaica, operators of Flow, Sean Latty, has joined telecommunications giant Digicel Jamaica, the company confirmed a short while ago… more
Cable theft hits LIME – threatens internet penetration
Jamaica – Telecommunications firm, LIME, is concerned that increasing incidents of copper cable theft could undo important efforts to deepen rural Internet penetration… more
CANTO and the Internet Society Announce Partnership to Promote Internet Development and Education in the Caribbean
Regional – The Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organizations (CANTO) and the Internet Society have joined forces to promote Internet development and education programs in the Caribbean region… more
CWC publishes third quarter trading update
Regional – Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) recorded group revenue of USD444 million in the third quarter of its 2015 fiscal year, representing year-on-year growth of 5%, or 2% on a like-for-like basis (i.e. at constant currency and excluding Panama’s Sonitel)… more
Digicel inks HBO deal
Regional – Telecommunications provider Digicel has inked a deal with the HBO Latin America Group for the transmission of the HBO channels on its pay TV service… more
Digicel Solves Caribbean Wireless Challenge with ADTRAN ProCloud
Regional – ADTRAN®, Inc., (NASDAQ:ADTN), today announced that Digicel, a leading global telecommunications solution and service provider, has selected ADTRAN as a strategic partner to deliver high-performance wireless networks throughout complex environments in the Caribbean using ADTRAN ProCloudSM service… more
Thursday, 12 February 2015
Bidders For Mobile Licence Revealed
Bahamas – THREE companies have submitted proposals to obtain the country’s second mobile network provider licence, the government announced last night… more
Cable Bahamas in the mix for mobile license
Bahamas – Cable Bahamas Ltd. (CBL) yesterday submitted its request for proposal (RFP) response to the Cellular Liberalization Task Force (CLTF) for the country’s second mobile cellular license, as the company seeks to “stake its claim” while the cellular market prepares for competition… more
Decision time as Cable Bahamas puts its best foot forward for the mobile cellular license
Bahamas – Today, Cable Bahamas (CBL) submitted its RFP response to Cellular Liberalisation Task Force (CLTF) for the country’s second mobile cellular license… more
Digicel, Virgin Mobile, and Cable Bahamas, cellular mobile services proposals received by Bahamas Gov’t
Bahamas – Proposals received in response to Request for Proposals (RFP) to Operate a Cellular Mobile Network and Provide Cellular Mobile Services in The Bahamas … more
Caribbean Court of Justice to rule on BTL and BEL Nationalization
Belize – The former owners of Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) and Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) have gone to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) requesting that if the Government of Belize should lose the appeal, the court should order that both companies should be given back. Part of their argument is the Government has somehow mismanaged BTL and BEL… more
ICT programme coming for Grade 5 students
British Virgin Islands – Students in several primary schools across the territory are set to benefit from new experiences in the area of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) through a special pilot programme to be implemented this year… more
ICTA re-launches improved website
Cayman Islands – The recently re-launched Information and Communications Technology Authority (ICTA) website – www.icta.ky – offers everyone a chance to engage in the technology conversation… more
LIME celebrates World Safer Internet Day- educate the most vulnerable on internet safety
Saint Kitts and Nevis – LIME, a subsidiary of Cable & Wireless Communications, the region’s first internet service provider, celebrates World Safer Internet Day, today (Tuesday), February 10, 2015, under the theme “Let’s create a better internet together.” … more
Acquisition-hungry Digicel, CWC circling UTS
Regional – Regional telecoms giants Digicel Group and Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) have both expressed an interest in securing a strategic partnership with Curacao-based telecoms provider United Telecommunications (UTS), the Curacao Chronicle reports… more
Cutting the cord
Regional – As media companies increasingly make their wares available online, a growing number of subscribers are turning in their cable TV boxes and taking control of their TV and movie viewing routine… more
Deezer and LIME offer Caribbean customers access to over 35 million songs – via Deezer’s music streaming service
Regional – “LIME, the leading telecoms provider in the region, is pleased to announce that we have signed a unique partnership agreement with one of the world’s leading music streaming operators, Deezer, to deliver yet another innovative offering to our Caribbean subscribers – access to music streaming of more than 35 million songs,” Martin Roos, LIME Caribbean CEO said… more
LIME-Flow deal by March
Regional – Telecommunications company Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) is expecting to close its Columbus International Inc. acquisition within the next six weeks… more
ADB launches online banking
Trinidad and Tobago – In March, the Agriculture Development Bank (ADB) will be launching its online banking service. Sheivan Ramnath, CEO of the ADB, said this is just one of the moves that will transform the ADB into a modern bank that is technologically sophisticated and will meet the contemporary needs of farmers and those involved in the agriculture sector… more
Blink I bmobile 4G LTE is the key to fast wireless Internet
Trinidad and Tobago – CHATHAM, Buenos Ayres, Sangre Chiquito, Cheeyou, Rancho Quemado. These are just some of the areas which did not have broadband Internet service, but along with many others, are now enjoying fixed/nomadic high-speed wireless access… more
BLINK ‘s ‘TV anywhere’ is a game changer
Trinidad and Tobago – BLINK Entertainment customers can look forward to viewing TV anywhere, at any time, on any device with an internet connection… more
Friday, 13 February 2015
Bahamas government to own 51 percent of new cellular company
Bahamas – The Bahamas government will be the majority shareholder in the new company that will provide cellular service to compete with the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), Minister of State for Finance Michael Halkitis said on Wednesday… more
Bahamian Group Joins Virgin Mobile Offer
Bahamas – A Bahamian-led group that previously made no secret of its intentions to bid on this nation’s second cellular licence appears to have become part of the Virgin Mobile (Bahamas) group, Tribune Business can reveal… more
Digicel rep: Six-month timeline challenging
Bahamas – The six-month timeline mandated by the government for a new cell company to roll out service in The Bahamas is “hugely challenging”, but Digicel Head of Business Development Frank O’Carroll said his company and the other two that submitted bids for the second mobile license in The Bahamas knew the rules going in and are prepared to do battle according to those rules… more
Govt to delay grant of third cellular license
Bahamas – The government intends to delay the granting of a third mobile license until 2018 or later, according to the Request for Proposal (RFP) for cellular services… more
Govt Will Not Own 51% Of Mobile Provider
Bahamas – PRIME Minister Perry Christie yesterday said that the government will not own 51 per cent of the country’s second mobile services provider as previously reported. He said the shares would instead be owned by “Bahamian investors”… more
Union Oppose Two Of Mobile Firms
Bahamas – BAHAMAS Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU) President Bernard Evans yesterday said that his organisation is “vehemently” opposed to two of the three companies that are vying for the country’s second mobile network provider licence… more
Flow TV for Bajan content
Barbados – Flow has launched a new channel –– Flow TV –– that is expected to increase the exposure of local and regional producers… more
Regulator urged to probe telecom rates
British Virgin Islands – In addition to the regularly highlighted challenges with phone, cable and internet services, the new leadership of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) has been urged to probe the relatively high cost associated with certain services provided by telecoms companies in the British Virgin Islands (BVI)… more
Digicel Dominica launches HSPA+ network
Dominica – Digicel has launched its HSPA+ network in Dominica, Dominica News Online… more
Dominica to have ICT Center of Excellence by September
Dominica – The establishment of an Information Communication Technology (ICT) Center of Excellence could become a reality here in September 2015… more
Number portability will push better service – Dunn
Jamaica – UNIVERSITY of the West Indies Professor Hopeton Dunn reckons that the introduction of Local Number Portability (LNP) will be an imperative for telecommunication providers to consistently offer consumers high quality service… more
CWC expects to finalise Flow acquisition next month
Regional – Regional telecom Cable & Wireless Plc (CWC) expects to finalise the acquisition of regional broadband operator Columbus Communications by next month… more
Merger ruling by month-end
Regional – BARBADIANS WILL KNOW by the end of the month whether LIME will be allowed to merge its local operations with FLOW… more
Saturday, 14 February 2015
FNM: Govt plans to control cell sector
Bahamas – Despite Prime Minister Perry Christie’s insistence that the government is not interested in retaining a majority stake in the new company that will provide cellular service, Free National Movement (FNM) Chairman Michael Pintard charged yesterday that the government plans to “dominate the telecommunications sector”… more
COLUMBUS CELEBRATES WORLD SAFER INTERNET DAY (SID 2015) Educating Citizens on Internet Safety
Barbados – Columbus Telecommunications Barbados Limited, operators of Flow and Columbus Business Solutions, observed World Safer Internet Day under the theme “Let’s create a better Internet together.” … more
Mek WHO Rich??? – Curtis Swasey claims his “Mek Mi Rich” idea was illegally replicated by not normal Belizeans
Belize – Belizean entrepreneur Curtis Swasey is taking Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) to court for alleged breach of contract in a claim that involves the alleged misappropriation of intellectual property… more
CARIBBEAN LEGAL RESEARCH INFORMATION GOING DITIGAL: IMPACT Justice Project Leveraging Technology To Improve Access To Justice
Regional – Access to regional legal information online is becoming a reality with funding from the Government of Canada, through the Improved Access to Justice in the Caribbean Project (IMPACT Justice)… more
New Self Care App for LIME
Saint Lucia – LIME Caribbean has launched another innovative digital software, My LIME Self Care App, which is designed to give customers across the region greater access and more control of their own mobile services. My LIME Self Care App is now available for use in St. Lucia… more
Sunday, 15 February 2015
LIME Ja makes loss — but core activities grow
Jamaica – TELECOMS provider LIME Jamaica benefited from double-digit sales growth during Christmas but its net loss jumped to $1.9 billion for the December third quarter 2014 or five times higher than a year earlier, financials indicated… more
NEL reports better performance from TSTT
Jamaica – National Enterprises Limited (NEL) has already evaluated ownership structure options for TSTT, so when the acquisition of Columbus International by Cable and Wireless (CWC) is finalised a structure can be put in place… more
Government of Sint Maarten launches its Official Facebook Page
Sint Maarten – The Government has launched its Official Facebook page, entitled: “Government of Sint Maarten” to the public and the rest of the world… more
Image credit: filipe ferreira (flickr); The Eleutheran; Brands of the World; Wikipedia; Wikipedia
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