A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 31 October to Sunday 6 November 2016.
Monday, 31 October 2016
Digicel activates first 4G service in Barbados
Barbados – Digicel has announced the launch of a 4G LTE service in Barbados, the first available on the island… more
BUSINESS MONDAY – ICT SOLUTION
Barbados – AN information technology specialist has pointed to at least one solution which Barbados can use to improve its ranking in the World Bank’s Doing Business Survey… more
New audit system planned for BRA
Barbados – GOVERNMENT IS PREPARING to significantly boost the Barbados Revenue Authority’s (BRA) audit capabilities… more
Vandals knock out telecoms in Prospect for 3 days
Cayman Islands – Around 300 homes in the Prospect area lost their television, internet and telephone services last week after equipment was vandalized… more
Social media reporting
Guyana – This past week the GINA website carried a photograph of the President of Guyana shaking hands with a telecommunication official from Chile. The accompanying story was apparently sourced from the Ministry of the Presidency, according to the sub-text… more
Educators Encouraged to Use More Technology
Jamaica – Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, is encouraging educators in Jamaica to employ more technology in the teaching and learning process… more
Minister Wheatley Endorses Techstart.online
Jamaica – Science, Energy and Technology Minister, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, has endorsed Techstart.online, which provides free business support services to technology start-ups… more
Caribbean faces serious cyber security threats
Regional – Keep it secret. And make sure it’s safe… more
ECTEL for OOCUR Conference in Jamaica
Regional – The Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority ECTEL, is being represented at the 14th Annual Conference of the Orgnanisation of Caribbean Utility Regulators-OOCUR being convened in Montego Bay, Jamaica, October 26th to 28th 2016… more
Smart Mosquito Repellent Attracts Top Prize At Startup Bootcamp
Regional – An idea for a smart mosquito repellent monitored through a software app has emerged the winning idea at the Caribbean Climate Innovation Center (CCIC) Greentech Startup Bootcamp in Barbados… more
Health stats on mobile app
Trinidad and Tobago – DOCTORS can now review their patients’ medical results either on a mobile device or a computer, through the Health in Pregnancy TT (HiPTT) application, according to Professor of Medicine at the UWI Dr Surujpaul Teelucksingh… more
Tuesday, 1 November 2016
Financial Secretary Says “No Setback” in Foreign Exchange Over B.T.L. Compensation
Belize – Compensation for Belize Telemedia Limited has been scheduled in two payments, the first of which was initially disbursed on July eighth… more
Newly installed 911 system being investigated
Dominica – Dominica News Online has been reliably informed that the newly installed, much-touted 911 system is being investigated after many calls to the system during a fracas at a wedding reception in Loubiere failed to go through… more
CARICOM launches online skills movement applications
Guyana – In what is being viewed as a major development for the region, CARICOM is today expected to start the implementation of an online system that will dramatically improve the applications for free movement of skills in the region… more
Data Protection Act to be Tabled Next Financial Year
Jamaica – Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, says the Data Protection Act will be tabled in Parliament before the end of the next financial year… more
Wi-fi Now at Devon House
Jamaica – Patrons at the popular heritage site and hangout Devon House are now able to access free Wi-Fi hotspot when they use the venue… more
Building the Caribbean internet economy
Regional – In the Caribbean, change is in the air. In fact, it’s in the cloud… more
C&W Networks Partners With Juniper Networks to Obtain MEF CE 2.0 Certification
Regional – C&W Networks, a division of C&W Communications (C&W), one of the largest full service communications and entertainment providers in the Caribbean and Latin American region, now part of Liberty Global (LiLAC Group) is pleased to announce the latest award of MEF Carrier Ethernet 2.0 (CE 2.0) industry standard certification for E-Line, E-LAN, E-TREE, and E-ACCESS services through the use of Juniper Networks (NYSE : JNPR ) MX Series 3D Universal Edge Routers… more
Caribbean Airlines launches mobile app
Regional – Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has launched a mobile website application which allows customers to book flights, add or update frequent flyer information, add or update contact details, or add seats and meal preferences and a list of other features,using an Android or iOS smartphone device… more
Cyber security tips for employees
Regional – Many businesses focus on protecting their networks and device end points as this is the first point of entry for cyber criminals… more
Minister gives update on CCTV cameras
Saint Lucia – National Security Minister, Hermangild Francis, has disclosed that some fifty two CCTV cameras have been installed with some twenty-six currently being operational… more
Wednesday, 2 November 2016
GOB has to find BZ$180 mil more to pay compensation for BTL
Belize – The Government of Belize has one final payment to make to the former shareholders of Belize Telemedia Limited. According to Financial Secretary Joseph Waight, roughly BZ$180 million more is outstanding, to be paid next year, in July 2017… more
Cybercrime victims urged to report incidents
Jamaica – Head of the Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT) in the Ministry of Science, Energy, and Technology, Dr Moniphia Hewling, is urging victims of cybercrimes to come forward and make a report… more
Mobile Devices In The Bedroom Rob Kids Of Sleep – Study
Jamaica – If you want your children to get a full night’s sleep, then remove all smartphones, tablets or any other types of electronic devices or screens from their bedroom, revealed a new study published this week in JAMA Pediatrics… more
Action needed on Caribbean cybersecurity
Regional – The view from Europe. Just over a week ago Google, Facebook, Amazon, Twitter, Netflix, Visa and many more premium providers of global web services, temporarily went offline… more
First Caribbean Cybercrime Conference
Regional – The Attorney General’s Office together with the Kingdom Detectives Cooperation Team (RST) and DataExpert from the Netherlands will host the first Caribbean Cybercrime Conference in the Renaissance Hotel in Aruba on November 16, 2016… more
Mobile App Developers Competing In PitchIT Caribbean Startup Challenge
Regional – PitchIT Caribbean has announced that applications are now open for entrepreneurs from 14 Caribbean countries to enter their international pitch competition… more
TTPS warns against cyber crimes over Christmas
Trinidad and Tobago – The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is warning citizens regarding cyber crimes during the Christmas period… more
Thursday, 3 November 2016
NIB: New IT system not fully operational until 2017
Bahamas – Initially, the second phase of the new $14 million-plus V3 system at the National Insurance Board (NIB) was expected to be rolled out in April… more
Water and Sewerage Corporation launch mobile app
Bahamas – Mobile apps are software applications designed to run on smartphones,tablet computers and other mobile devices. Last year it was reported that, more than100 billion mobile apps had been downloaded from online stores around the world… more
BTL’s Internet on Steroids – Hypernet
Belize – On Saturday 29th October we at this newspaper had the honor to have been represented at Belize Telemedia’s launch of it’s newest service in internet technology in the country… more
Dominicans pay Latin America’s highest web and phone prices
Dominican Republic – Fixed broadband internet, fixed residential telephone and mobile prepaid services are more expensive in the Dominican Republic than in the rest of Latin America, according to a study disclosed Thursday by the Catholic University (PUCMM)…. more
Lottery Scamming Offences Accounting For A Third Of Cases In St James Court
Jamaica – Jamaica’s already overburdened court system is coming under more pressure to handle the growing number of lottery scamming and other cyber crimes cases… more
Victims of Cybercrimes Urged to Report Incidents
Jamaica – Head of the Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT) in the Ministry of Science, Energy, and Technology, Dr. Moniphia Hewling, is urging victims of cybercrimes to come forward and make a report… more
Digicel Business Shortlisted For ‘Best Caribbean Wholesaler’ In The Global Carrier Awards 2016
Regional – Digicel Business, leading full service solutions provider in the region, has announced that it is one of three finalists in the Global Carrier Awards 2016 in the “Best Caribbean Wholesaler” category for its Best Regional and Global Wholesale Carrier application… more
Digicel passes 100K fibre, IPTV subs throughout the Caribbean
Regional – A year after the service first launched in Jamaica, the company has reinforced its position as in-home entertainment provider through the only 100% fibre-powered network in the Caribbean… more
Liberty Global Reports Q3 and YTD 2016 Results
Regional – Liberty Global plc (“Liberty Global”) (NASDAQ: LBTYA, LBTYB, LBTYK, LILA and LILAK), today announces financial and operating results for the three months (“Q3”) and nine months (“YTD”) ended September 30, 2016 for the Liberty Global Group1 and the LiLAC Group… more
The rise of Global Business Services (GBS) in the Caribbean
Trinidad and Tobago – The GBS (Global Business Services) model has risen in recent years to become a major component of financial transformation for business… more
TSTT receives full certification as a Data Centre Service Provider
Trinidad and Tobago – The Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (TSTT) has received full certification as a Data Centre Service Provider… more
Friday, 4 November 2016
Cyber-Defamation Should Be A Criminal Offence, Says Senior Cop
Jamaica – With more Jamaicans owning smartphones and other digital devices, one high-ranking police officer wants legislators to make cyber-defamation a criminal offence… more
Jamaica BPO Workforce Scaling Rapidly with Increased Investment
Jamaica – The BPO workforce in Jamaica has nearly doubled in the past five years, due to increasing investment in the sector… more
Cable & Wireless Preliminary Q2 2016/17 Results
Regional – Cable & Wireless Communications Limited (“CWC”) is the leading telecommunications operator in substantially all of its consumer markets, which are predominantly located in the Caribbean and Latin America, providing entertainment, information and communication services to 3.5 million mobile, 0.4 million television, 0.6 million internet and 0.8 million telephony subscribers… more
CWC sales down 3.7% to USD 568 mln in Q3
Regional – Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC), part of Liberty Global’s Latin American and Caribbean group (LiLAC), reported revenues of USD 573.6 million on an organic basis in its fiscal second quarter ending 30 September, down 3.7 percent on the year-earlier result of USD 601.5 million due above all to declines in Panama, Barbados, the Bahamas and Trinidad & Tobago… more
Digicel Play hits 100,000 Caribbean subs a year after launch
Regional – Digical-based telecommunications group Digicel has announced that its Digicel Play FTTH-based convergent offering reached 100,000 subscribers in Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago just under a year after it was first launched in Jamaica… more
Saturday, 5 November 2016
Telecom Sector, $37,7M damage
Haiti – The passage of Hurricane Matthew on Haiti, on 3 and 4 October caused significant losses in the telecommunications sector, particularly in the departments of South, Grande Anse and Nippes… more
Lottery Scamming Cases Clogging Court System in St. James
Jamaica – Chief Justice, Hon. Zaila McCalla, says lottery scamming and other cyber-related crimes are clogging the court system in St. James, taking up approximately one third of all cases… more
Technology Minister Commends JLS
Jamaica – Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, has commended the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) and its partners for providing free access to information and communications technology (ICT) to the public… more
Some regional central bank banks turn to SWIFT to combat de-risking threat
Regional – Eight regional central banks have signed up to adopt the sanctions screening service and Know Your Customer (KYC) Registry provided by the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) in an effort to combat the threat posed to the region by de-risking measures imposed in correspondent banking relationships… more
Island Wi-fi Available at Bay Gardens
Saint Lucia – THE locally owned and operated award-winning resort chain, Bay Gardens Resorts in St. Lucia, has introduced an innovative new service for guests who want to stay connected on the go: “Island Wifi”… more
Sunday, 6 November 2016
Donation of emergency communications equipment
Haiti – The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) handed a donation, to the National Council of Telecommunications (CONATEL), a lot of equipment to help strengthen the National System of Emergency Communications (SNCU). This donation includes : 1 HF transmitter, 2 transmitters and 2 tri-band antennas YA-007 FG, all broadband equipment, capable of carrying as well voice as high speed data… more
DBJ Rolls Out Online Portal For Voucher Funding Applicants
Jamaica – The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), in collaboration with the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PIOJ), has launched an online application portal for its Voucher for Technical Assistance Programme (VTAP)… more
Navigating a new payments landscape
Jamaica – The world of global payments is in a period of transition. A host of factors, including technological innovation, economic shifts, heightened regulations, and the increasing number and influence of non-traditional payments providers, are rapidly reshaping the payments landscape making it harder than ever to navigate… more
Hosein leads T&T’s think tank with TTLAB
Trinidad and Tobago – The term “think tank” describes an institution which pays people to think, create, and pursue social and scientific research for their own sake. It has been a largely metropolitan phenomenon till now, but has finally reached the Caribbean outside the academe in TTLAB, thanks to Prof Patrick Hosein, a MIT-trained computer scientist who works at the University of the West Indies (UWI)… more
Image credit: NS Newsflash (flickr); Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikipedia
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