Roundup: for the week ending 11 October 2015 | ICT Pulse – The leading technology blog in the Caribbean

A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 5 October to Sunday 11 October 2015.

Monday, 5 October 2015

BTC Opens Call Centres for Joaquin Affected Islands

Bahamas – While BTC Technical Teams are working to restore services in the South East Islands, BTC initiated Communications Centers for residents in Ragged Island, Inagua and Clarence Town Long Island allowing them to make telephone calls and send emails to their loved ones free of charge… more

The Bahamas Learning Channel Launch Postponed

Bahamas – The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology wishes to inform those invited to the launch of The Bahamas Learning Channel scheduled for Tuesday, 6th October, 2015, that the launch has been postponed… more

EDITORIAL: Postal Service must adapt in tech era

Barbados – CAN THE POSTAL SERVICE in Barbados survive the next decade as it is today? …. more

Students advised to use tablets for its intended purpose

Dominica – Minister for Culture, Youth and Sports, Justina Charles has made a special appeal to students to use the ASUS memo 8 tablets which they will receive from the Ministry of Education for its intended purpose… more

Dominican Republic to introduce quality telecom standards

Dominican Republic – The Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel) has announced that telephone and internet users in the country can require and demand quality levels contracted from operators… more

STAR Systems International Deploys 1.2 Million Headlamp Transponders in the Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic – STAR Systems International (SSI), a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) hardware, tag and professional services provider, today announced that it has completed a sale of 1.2 Million ISO 18000-6C headlamp transponders in the Dominican Republic… more

Telecoms liberalisation appears to be finally on the horizon

Guyana – Guyanese will late this year or early 2016 get higher mobile data speeds and lower international calling packages, among other benefits, when long-awaited laws are passed by the National Assembly… more

Why Flow Will Not Rebate Customers For Lost Cable Channels

Jamaica – FLOW’s managing director, Garry Sinclair, has made it clear that there will be no rebate for cable customers who have lost premium channels… more

IT expert backs move to block ads by over-the-top service providers

Regional – A regional Information Technology expert believes the move by Digicel to block ads shown to consumers by over-the-top services like Whatsapp, Google and Facebook, using its network, may ultimately not prove to be effective, but could be a move in the right direction… more

International Online Expert To Host Seminar In Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia – Almost every company can relate to the struggle of trying to justify spending time on online marketing and social media… more

Tuesday, 6 October 2015

ATN to Acquire Controlling Interest in KeyTech Bermuda

Regional – ATN (NASDAQ:ATNI) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with KeyTech Limited (BSX:KEY.BH) to acquire a controlling interest in KeyTech as part of a proposed business combination of KeyTech with Bermuda Digital Communications Limited… more

Digicel Group: Big Valuation On A Company With No Growth

Regional – Summary: Digicel is a leading telecom provider in the Caribbean and the South Pacific… more

Flow Pumps Up the Volume With Prepaid Deezer Music App

Regional – Music lovers across the Caribbean will enjoy greater access to the popular Deezer music streaming app, as Flow extends the music app’s premium service to include prepaid account holders… more

How Internet Exchange Points Can Boost the Caribbean Economy

Regional – Caribbean nations must strengthen their Internet infrastructure in order to take full advantage of the global digital economy… more

Lack of data still an issue

Regional – Executive Director of the Caribbean Export Development Agency, Pamela Coke-Hamilton has described the lack of data for the region as °a little embarrassing”… more

O’Brien says he will try to refloat Digicel

Regional – Denis O’Brien yesterday signalled he will try again to float his Caribbean mobile company, Digicel, “within a year” after earlier yanking its proposed listing in New York at the eleventh hour… more

OECS partners with CTU to promote ICT development in Eastern Caribbean

Regional – An agreement between the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) promises to deepen collaboration between the institutions in leveraging information and communications technology to support development in the sub-region… more

Police warn youths about lewd photos and videos

Saint Lucia – The Community Relations Branch, (CRB), of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force,(RSLPF), has issued a warning to young people to be aware of the long-term consequences of shooting raunchy photos or videos of themselves… more

Wednesday, 7 October 2015

Belize Telemedia and Parcus Group Announce an Agreement

Belize – Belize Telemedia (BTL) and Parcus Group, announced today that they have entered into an agreement under which Parcus Group will provide training and consulting services around telecom product management for BTL… more

CCT to sue regulator over spectrum dispute

British Virgin Islands – CCT Global Communications has successfully applied to have a judicial review hearing against the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission to address the company’s claim that the TRC unfairly denied its application to use a portion of the airwaves known as the 700-megahertz spectrum… more

Court halts spectrum award process

British Virgin Islands – The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court has granted Caribbean Cellular Telephone (CCT) leave to apply for judicial review, and has issued a stay of the 2015 Spectrum Award Process pending the outcome of the judicial review… more

Information Minister Challenges Students’ Creativity

Dominica – The Hon. Minister For Information, Science, Telecommunications And Technology, Kelver Darroux has thrown out a challenge to Dominica’s youth to be more creative with information communication technology… more

Major contract targets computerizing 3M civil records

Guyana – Approximately two million birth; one million marriage and 500,000 death registration records must be entered into a computer database in their entirety within a three-year time frame… more

No automatic Telecoms Licences under new laws – Patterson

Guyana – The new coalition government is in the final stages of the liberalization of the local Telecommunications Industry, as the draft laws are nearing completion… more

An Unexpected Path to Haiti’s BPO World

Haiti – Ivy Kuperberg was in New York when she heard the terrible news… more

Haitian educators and MIT faculty develop Kreyòl-based teaching tools

Haiti – Six veteran educators from Haiti — two biologists, two physicists, and two mathematicians — were on campus recently to work closely with MIT faculty to develop and hone Kreyòl-based, technology-enhanced pedagogical tools for STEM education… more

Mobile App Helps Haitians In U.S. Participate In Haiti’s Presidential Debate

Haiti – A mobile app from AudioNow helps Haitians in U.S. participate in Haiti’s Presidential Debate… more

Flow’s Injustice To Consumers

Jamaica – THE EDITOR, Sir: Who will protect consumers from Flow’s blatant injustice? … more

FLOW’s position on rebate for lost cable channels upsets Instagram users

Jamaica – FLOW Jamaica’s explanation for not rebating customers for lost cable channels did not sit well with social media users as many expressed discontent with the company’s service… more

Her online sugar daddy

Jamaica – In the world of online dating, you’re never sure who is talking to you on the other side of the monitor. The element of the unknown is what excites some people the most… more

Seriously, Mr Garry Sinclair?

Jamaica – THE EDITOR, Sir On Tuesday night, I observed Flow’s managing director, Garfield Sinclair’s performance on TVJ’s newscast and was struck by Mr Sinclair’s smug, arrogant and nakedly self-satisfied attitude and tone that revealed such open contempt for customers and the Jamaican people… more

Barbados elected new president of CTU

Regional – The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) has elected Barbados, represented by Darcy Boyce, as its new president… more

Cable & Wireless Communications Scores With Exclusive Premier League Football Rights From Seasons 2016/17 to 2018/19

Regional – Starting next season, the Premier League will have a new home in the Caribbean. Cable & Wireless Communications Plc (CWC) today announced that it has won the exclusive rights to broadcast live all 380 matches per season of the Premier League across 32 Caribbean countries from 2016/17 to 2018/19… more

Digicel not progressing with IPO at this time

Regional – Digicel has decided not to proceed with its planned initial public offering at this time… more

Entrepot Secondary gets gift from LIME

Saint Lucia – LIME has made a donation to the Entrepot Secondary School, further demonstrating its commitment to supporting youth development and sports… more

TSTT to raise ‘unbundled’ prepaid mobile rates

Trinidad and Tobago – TELECOMMUNICATIONS provider TSTT will be increasing its “unbundled” prepaid mobile rates from November 1… more

Thursday, 8 October 2015

‘Practical Necessity’ To Keep Web Shops Open

Bahamas – A former PLP MP yesterday backed the Government’s decision to allowing web shops to remain in operation prior to their legalisation, arguing that this was a “practical necessity” that had generated “sorely needed” tax revenues… more

Telecommunication services being restored on hurricane ravaged Family Islands

Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s Chief Executive Officer Leon Williams has affirmed that the company is working to restore communication services to all areas affected by the passage of Hurricane Joaquin and restoration to the “main” islands should be completed by the end of this week depending on the location of the island… more

PM Barrow Will Write-Off B.T.L. Debt If U.D.P. Wins

Belize – Today, members of the private and public sectors converged on the city for the Prime Minister’s business forum at the Biltmore Plaza… more

Students urged to use tablets responsibly

Dominica – Students of the Castle Bruce Secondary School have been advised to use their tablets in a responsible manner and to assist them in becoming information technologically intelligent citizens… more

GT&T offers double data volume to customers

Guyana – Telecoms giant, GT&T, says it is pulling all the stops to ensure its customers benefit from a host of services… more

Policeman accused of stealing colleague’s Blackberry

Guyana – A policeman was Thursday granted bail for allegedly stealing one of his colleague’s Blackberry cellular phone… more

A Haitian delegation in Estonia

Haiti – On the sidelines of the implementation in Haiti of the IT platform xROAD, a Haitian delegation headed by Uder Antoine, General Coordinator of the Office of Management and Human Resources (OMRH) stay from stay 5 to 9 October 2015, in Tallinn, Estonia (Eastern Europe)… more

CTU hosts regional satellite communications workshop in Trinidad

Regional – An international workshop on satellite communications recently hosted by the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) will strengthen the region’s ability to stay connected to the rest of the world after an extreme weather event or natural disaster… more

Digicel drops IPO

Regional – TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDER Digicel yesterday abruptly abandoned plans to raise up to US$2.2 billion in an initial public offering (IPO) of 142 million shares that were to have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange… more

Funds lost interest when O’Brien refused to budge on price

Regional – The warning lights started flashing over the weekend in the Caribbean, suggesting all was not well with Denis O’Brien’s plan to raise up to $2 billion to float Digicel this Friday… more

ICT Centre to Undergo Important Upgrade

Saint Kitts and Nevis – The Ministry of Communications, Justice and Legal Affairs, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) will launch a refurbishment project for the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre at the Ocean Terrace Inn (OTI) Conference Room on Friday, October 09… more

Digicel rewards customers with laptops

Saint Lucia – Digicel continues to inject excitement, engagement and fun in its monthly text to win promotions. The month of September was no exception… more

Adrian Clarke New Chief Internal Auditor at TSTT

Trinidad and Tobago – TSTT’s new Chief Internal Auditor, Adrian Clarke, has a special talent for recognising value especially in areas where others fail to notice… more

New technology chief at TSTT

Trinidad and Tobago – As a technology enthusiast who loves a challenge, Roger Richards, TSTT’s new chief technology and information officer, is well positioned to help lead the company’s efforts to maintain its leading role as primary provider of communications solutions and services for T&T… more

Friday, 9 October 2015

Jamaicans Charged In ATM Scam

Antigua and Barbuda – Three Jamaican men charged with swindling over $37,000 from several accounts from various banks across Antigua, have been remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison… more

Labour Department intervenes on LIME workers’ behalf

Antigua and Barbuda – The Labour Department has forwarded several recommendations to telecommunications giant LIME regarding its ongoing dispute with Antigua & Barbuda Workers Union (ABWU)… more

BTC 4G LTE services restored to Deadman’s Cay

Bahamas – BTC remains committed to restoring services to the stricken South East Islands. BTC advises that 4G LTE data services have now been restored to Deadman’s Cay Long Island… more

Free tablets for 24 more at Welches

Barbados – Class 3 students at Welches Primary School in St Thomas received free tablets today, courtesy of The Aron & Christina Foundation to assist further in their educational pursuits… more

BTL partners with consultants to improve phone service

Belize – Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), this week announced a partnership with international telecom consultants, Parcus Group Inc., which will see BTL improve customer service and product quality through training and consultation on product management… more

International experts head to Belize for regional tech conference

Belize – A full line-up of international tech experts will gather in Belize from November 2 to 6, when Belize City plays host to a historic regional ICT development conference… more

Agency: keep your number, switch phone service in just 48 hours

Dominican Republic – The Dominican Telecomm Institute (Indotel) announced Thursday that it´s in a process to cut the time to transfer a phone number and switch service providers to just 48 hours for cell phones and five days to change companies if fixed numbers… more

Dominican Republic cuts number portability time

Dominican Republic – The Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel) has reduced the number portability process to just 48 hours when switching mobile operators, and to five days when changing fixed line operator… more

Jamaica joins int’l community to focus on tackling cybercrimes

Jamaica – Jamaica has joined with the international community for the observance of October as Cyber-security Awareness Month… more

Mobile Reserve Gets $3 Million Computer Centre

Jamaica – A $3 million computer centre, outfitted with Wi-Fi access, was officially handed over to the Mobile Reserve of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) on Wednesday (October 7)…. more

Our To Get Oversight Board In Major Overhaul

Jamaica – IN A clear response to ongoing controversies over competence of its agency that regulates utility companies, the Jamaican Government has tabled legislation to weaken the power of its executive director by making him accountable to a new, six-member ‘office’, which will ensure the execution of the administration’s policy for the sector… more

USF Funds Project to Link 73 Police Stations

Jamaica – The Universal Service Fund (USF) is funding a project to provide Wide Area Network connectivity for 73 police stations and facilities across the island, at a cost of $7 million… more

HBO to launch streaming service in Caribbean and Latin America

Regional – HBO Latin America, on Thursday announced plans to launch a new digital platform for HBO GO as a paid online service in the Caribbean and Latin American by the end of the year… more

ROC contributes over EC$500,000 for Refurbishment of National ICT Centre

Saint Kitts and Nevis – A cheque of over EC$500,000 from the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for the renovation of the National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre was handed over to the Ministry of Communications during the launch of the ICT refurbishment project held at the Ocean Terrace Inn (OTI) Conference Room on Friday, October 9th… more

Two Win Digicel Laptops

Saint Lucia – DIGICEL continues to inject excitement, engagement and fun in its monthly text to win promotions … more

Voicemail Migration

Saint Kitts and Nevis – On Friday 16th October 2015, we will be migrating your home phone voicemail service to a new and improved platform. Our new voicemail system provides greater stability, improved reliability and stronger security… more

Saturday, 10 October 2015

Tech partnership

Barbados – Technology solutions company Promotech has partnered with electronics firm Epson in an effort to slash costs associated with printing for commercial and residential customers in Barbados… more

GT&T’s new motto is ludicrous

Guyana – Dear Editor, When I consider the fact that my landline telephone 4424704 at Linden has been out of service for almost five months, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph’s new motto of “Do more” sounds ludicrous… more

ECTEL Broadcasting Workshop Friday

Regional – THE Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) will hold a workshop on the “Regulatory Challenges for Broadcasting in the new Digital Environment in Saint Kitts and Nevis on Friday … more

Where does a stalled IPO leave Digicel?

Regional – Denis O’Brien was brought down to earth this week with a bump, when the billionaire cancelled a planned $1.8bn stock market listing of Digicel at the eleventh hour… more

Sunday, 11 October 2015

No internet service via FLOW for medical office

Jamaica – Dear Claudienne, The medical office where I work is located on French Street, Spanish Town… more

Caribbean needs de-politicized state media

Regional – Even as the newly-elected government of Trinidad and Tobago contemplates selling off the state-owned media, several veteran media professionals say there is a major role for publicly funded media once they are not manipulated and mismanaged by governments for political reasons… more

Francis Wade | How Social Media Skills Are Changing Business Forever

Regional – Is social media just a passing fad that mature businesspeople can safely ignore? Is it all just a waste of time? Doesn’t lasting, meaningful social activity take place only in person, not over the Internet? … more

ICT and Real Empowerment

Regional – Sometimes, for very long periods, I get completely wrapped up in this world of information and communications technology and like many of my colleagues, forget myself… more

Security for the Internet

Regional – When I go home at night, my garage door opens automatically when I just pull into the driveway, and if it’s after dark, it knows to turn on the lights in the house, open up the interior door and unlock that.” — Mike Harris … more