A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 25 May to Sunday 31 May 2015.
Monday, 25 May 2015
Decision Tomorrow On Cable Channel Shutdown
Jamaica – De facto Information Minister Sandrea Falconer and representatives of the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica (BCJ), including its chairman, Professor Hopeton Dunn and Executive Director Cordel Green, are expected to take part in a meeting tomorrow, The Gleaner understands… more
Caribbean ‘significant’ to global Internet governance, ICANN says
Regional – A top executive of the non-profit that oversees all the Internet addresses has described the Caribbean as “significant” to the governance of the global Internet… more
Tuesday, 26 May 2015
Global SIM sticker provides relief from roaming charges
Bahamas – Lifeline IT Group of Companies (Litsgroup), a Bahamian owned and operated company, has launched “KnowRoaming”, a global SIM (subscriber identity module) sticker and service which reportedly automatically connects mobile phones to global cellular carriers, while providing significantly reduced voice and data roaming rates when traveling abroad… more
Dominica Planning Broadband Upgrade
Dominica – Dominica is planning a major broadband upgrade, according to Telecom Minister Kelvar Darroux… more
Travelling For Business Or Pleasure? Digicel’s Roam Like You’re Home Has Got You Covered
Grenada – With the Summer Holidays and the Caribbean Carnival season quickly approaching, Digicel has re launched its Roam Like You’re Home service with even more Value for customers… more
CWC group revenue higher at US$1.8b
Regional – Just months after completing its acquisition of Columbus International, Cable and Wireless Communications Plc (CWC) has announced that its group revenue is up four per cent to US$1.8 billion for the year ended March 31… more
Cuba to host LACNIC 25 next May
Regional – Cuba will host a significant gathering of the regional Internet community next year… more
Disrupting Caribbean Banking Technology
Regional – Customers across the Caribbean look longingly at innovations in the US and other markets, such as full-service online and mobile banking, marketplace lending facilities and merchant payment solutions. The open question is if, or when, similar facilities will become available locally… more
French Caribbean moves to establish stronger Internet
Regional – Internet users in the French Caribbean could soon be enjoying better, more resilient Internet services… more
Wednesday, 27 May 2015
The Empty URCA Board Seat
Bahamas – At its annual Town Meeting to present its 2014 Annual Report and 2015 Annual Plan to the public on May 21st, the vacancy for the third non-executive Board member was evident although unmentioned… more
Urca Refutes Cable’S 13% Budget Rise Fear
Bahamas – The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) has refuted Cable Bahamas’ concerns over the 13.2 per cent year-over-year increase in its operating budget, denying that this is to finance a ‘ramp up’ in preparation for energy sector regulation… more
Experience more with Digicel
Cayman Islands – Digicel is chartering a new road map with its network. Cayman 27′s Ben Meade talks to Martin Bould and Raul Nicholson Coe about some changes coming and what it means for customers… more
Cable Operators Get Three-Month Extension
Jamaica – Jamaica’s largest cable provider, Flow, plans to make full use of the three-month extension given yesterday to cable operators by the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica (BCJ) to cease the illegal transmission of cable channels or regularise their licensing arrangements with United States cable content generators… more
Man fined for stealing computer monitors
Jamaica – A man, who confessed to stealing computer monitors, was slapped with a $150,000 fine when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court last Wednesday… more
Digital disruption – short fuse, big bang
Regional – DIGITAL DISRUPTION is simply a term used to describe the changes – both positive and threatening – that are occurring in our world due to advancements in technology… more
Thursday, 28 May 2015
Charlie, Charlie, are you here?
Antigua and Barbuda – Yesterday, Bishop Charlesworth Browne of the Christian Ministries Centre sounded the alarm. In a fairly sensational interview, the good bishop warned members of the public and in particular school children to desist from playing a new “demonic” game that has become popular on social media… more
‘Charlie Charlie’ game blamed for student faintings at Jennings Secondary
Antigua and Barbuda – A group of students attending Jennings Secondary School (JSS) who were allegedly playing the “demonic” Charlie Charlie Challenge were rushed to hospital after they fainted on Wednesday, individuals familiar with the situation have told OBSERVER media… more
PM confirms cellular liberalization delay
Bahamas – The Christie administration will miss its self-imposed May deadline for introducing the second mobile license holder, with no clear future deadline in sight, Prime Minister Perry Christie revealed yesterday… more
Selection Of Mobile Provider Has Been Delayed
Bahamas – THE selection of the country’s second cellular mobile provider has been delayed, Prime Minister Perry Christie revealed during his 2015-2016 Budget communication yesterday… more
Website Launched To Focus On Bahamian Issues
Bahamas – PRIME Minister Perry Christie yesterday announced the launch of new government website aimed at facilitating an ongoing national conversation about the country’s future… more
Cable thief convicted, LIME commends cops
Jamaica – In a letter to the commissioner of police, Dr Carl Williams, telecommunications company LIME commended Detective Corporal Paul Evans, Corporal Peter White and District Constable Michael Bryan for apprehending an alleged cable thief…. more
Ministry of Local Government to improve customer service with training from Digicel
Jamaica – With a focus on improving the standard of customer service in public sector entities across the island, the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development is set to embark on an extensive customer service training programme which will be delivered by telecommunications company Digicel… more
Concerns as ‘demonic’ game spreads to schools
Sint Maarten – Concerns over what is being referred to as a “demon-summoning game” known as the “Charlie Charlie Challenge” has spread to high schools in St. Maarten… more
OAS and FIRST Sign Agreement to Improve Hemispheric Response to Cyber Incidents
Regional – The Organization of American States (OAS) and the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) signed an agreement to cooperate in the promotion of a cyber security culture and measures to improve responses to cyber incidents… more
OECS E-Payment forum
Regional – The competitive business unit of the OECS secretariat is exploring ways of enhancing the relatively under-developed payment services system in the sub-region… more
Savings through merger
Regional – WHEN THE DUST SETTLES on the merger between Cable & Wireless (C&W) and Columbus in Barbados, the combined entity will be saving $214 million in operational costs initially… more
Where Is The Public Consultation?
Regional – THE EDITOR, Sir: Recently, it was announced that the merger between Cable & Wireless Communications (LIME) and Columbus Communications Inc (Flow) had been completed… more
Caribbean Mobile Innovation Project (CMIP)/Start-UP Jamaica Challenge and CodeSprint 2015
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The Caribbean Mobile Innovation Project (CMIP) is a component of the Entrepreneurship Programme for Innovation in the Caribbean (EPIC), which is funded through the World Bank, InfoDev and the Canadian Government to the tune of $20M CAD… more
AgriNeTT app for farmers UWI App tech taking crops to new heights
Trinidad and Tobago – DURING International Bio-diversity Day at The Green Market Santa Cruz last Saturday, several farmers had the opportunity to test a suite of experimental smartphone apps developed at UWI as part of a collaboration between the Department of Computing and Information Technology and the Department of Food Production… more
TTSEC launches redesigned website and new app
Trinidad and Tobago – The T&T Securities and Exchange Commission (TTSEC) has launched a new investor education microsite, www.investucatett.com, as part of its continued investor education thrust… more
Why are our educators so superstitious?
Trinidad and Tobago – President of the National Parent/Teacher Association Zena Ramatali is warning against the “Charlie Charlie” game which has been trending globally over the last few days and is now being played by children in local schools… more
Friday, 29 May 2015
The Bahamas Participates in Regional ICT Discussions
Bahamas – The region’s ICT community will be watching as 14 contributions and proposals on topics such as: International Mobile Roaming, Mobile Money, Universal Service, Economic Impact of Over The Top applications, OTTs, and broadband and International Internet Connectivity are presented to the International Telecommunication Union ITU in the coming months… more
By Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority ‘Demonic’ game
Barbados – The Ministry of Education has launched an investigation into reports of strange and disturbing student behaviour at some schools, after the students reportedly played an increasingly popular game known as the Charlie Charlie Challenge… more
Charlie, Charlie ban!
Jamaica – THE Ministry of Education yesterday has issued a ban against students playing ‘Charlie, Charlie Challenge’ in schools, ordering the close monitoring of students to ensure that they do not engage in what is widely viewed as a demonic game… more
Pastor warns of demon possession playing Charlie-Charlie
Jamaica – A noted Jamaican pastor has sounded an urgent warning about the ill-effects of playing the creeping game phenomenon Charlie-Charlie Challenge… more
Appeals Court Rules Digicel Was Right In Refusing To Hand Over Call Data To INDECOM
Jamaica – The Court of Appeal today ruled that telecommunications company Digicel was right when it refused to hand over certain telephone records to the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM)… more
Cable Extension Institutionalising Criminality
Jamaica – THE EDITOR, Sir: The announcement that the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica has given cable operators an additional three months to continue to pirate copyright materials owned by American entities is so shocking and outrageous that one could not avoid feeling very nauseous at its full implications… more
Local number portability deadline extended
Jamaica – Telecommunications industry participants have been granted an 18-day extension in order to facilitate the seamless roll-out of Local Number Portability (LNP). The new date is Monday, June 22, 2015… more
Number Portability Deadline Extended
Jamaica – Telecommunications industry participants have been granted an 18-day extension in order to facilitate the roll-out of Local Number Portability (LNP). The new date is Monday, June 22, 2015… more
Three Tech Start-Ups Make Their Mark In Business Pitch To Financiers
Jamaica – Jamaican tech start-ups got a chance to make the perfect pitch last Thursday… more
C&W on mission to dominate
Regional – CABLE & WIRELESS (C&W) is targetting major growth in Barbados and the region now that it has received the green light and is merging with former rival Columbus… more
Cable & Wireless Pioneers The Use Of Drone Technology For Post Hurricane Surveillance In The Region
Regional – First Telecoms Provider in the Region to Introduce Post-Hurricane Drone Surveillance to Assess Tower and Fibre Network for Damage – A Quicker, Safer Approach to Network Restoration… more
Charlie Charlie presents challenges for Caribbean schools
Regional – Several Caribbean countries are reporting that school children have been rushed to hospital after playing the “demonic” game “Charlie Charlie”… more
Digital Literacy for Caribbean Youth
Regional – All of us who achieve any level of digital literacy will know straight off that we could not effectively use our cell phones, tablets, lap tops, or desk tops or skilfully navigate and make meaning of the Internet, if we were not able to read and write and to understand words, numbers and symbols… more
Digicel Launches Trade-In Programme
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Digicel is making it easier and more affordable to own a smartphone with the launch of its new trade-in programme which offers customers the best value by giving them a chance to turn in their used or defective handsets and receive credit towards the purchase of a brand new one… more
Tourism Mobile Application Launched
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Former Press Secretary to the Nevis Island Administration, Mervin Hanley has launched a mobile application that helps to promote St. Kitts and Nevis… more
Email advisory
Trinidad and Tobago – As of June 30th 2015, Google, Google Apps ISP service provider, will discontinue email service for domain tstt.net.tt… more
Students urged not to try out demonic game
Trinidad and Tobago – Several students at a north Trinidad secondary school received the fright of their lives while engaging in a game which is the latest Internet craze called “Charlie Charlie.”… more
TSTT e-mail domain to close
Trinidad and Tobago – E-mail addresses using the “@tstt.net.tt” domain will be discontinued shortly, telecoms provider TSTT said yesterday… more
Saturday, 30 May 2015
Evil force real, says Brome
Barbados – Retired Anglican Bishop of Barbados Right Reverend Dr Rufus Brome has acknowledged that evil is real in the world… more
Husbands: Stay away from Charlie game
Barbados – Saying he had heard at least one scary story from clients about what they had witnessed, a youth counsellor is appealing to Barbadian school children to stay away from the Charlie Charlie challenge craze sweeping the world… more
BUSINESS BYTE: DGS students excel during software development workshop
Dominica – On Friday 22nd May, 2015 local software development business, Tropicode Software Solutions and Jolly’s Pharmacy Ltd collaborated to award the commendable efforts of the 4th form Information Technology class of the Dominica Grammar School… more
Accountants look at network security
Trinidad and Tobago – T&T’s energy-based economy and the foreign energy companies that operate on the island are potential targets of international terrorist groups said Dr Darren Hayes, assistant professor of Information Technology at Pace University, New York… more
Sunday, 31 May 2015
Easy Switch To JPS EBILL – Gleaner Online Offers Free Subscription To Customers Who Make The Change
Jamaica – The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has re-energised its electronic bill (EBILL) to make opting in more convenient for its customers… more
Delayed again!
Jamaica – JAMAICA will have to wait another 22 days to begin switching from one mobile carrier to the next following an announcement that telecoms giant LIME is still not ready for the implementation of number portability…. more
Online error creates fear of terrorist activity
Jamaica – Dear Claudienne, In the process of purchasing some phones from a supplier in the USA, I wired the money to the company online via NCB… more
Social Media Etiquette 101
Jamaica – Within the past 5-10 years or so, social media has been the rage. If you’re not doing social media, you’re not saying anything, not keeping up with the time and just old school. So what? Maybe old school is still the way to go. Old school works… more
ICANN Chief Announces Resignation At LACNIC 23
Regional – The head of the non-profit group that oversees all Internet addresses will step down in March 2016… more
Online Science and technology Research Database launched
Trinidad and Tobago – The Ministry of Science and Technology, with the support of the National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST) moved one step closer toward increasing innovation and funding for Research and Development (R&D) in Science and Technology, with the launch of an online Science and Technology Research Database for Trinidad and Tobago, aptly coined STResearchTT… more
Image credits: carterse (flickr); Wikipedia; Wikimedia Commons; SKNVibes; Marketing Magazine; Wikipedia
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