A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 12 December to Sunday 18 December 2016.
Monday, 12 December2016
B.T.L. Paid for Settlement Agreement Draftsmen, G.O.B. Claims
Belize – During the questions to Ministers portion of the House meeting, members from the Opposition fired several questions at their Government counterparts on issues of concern of either a national scope or more closely tied to their respective constituencies… more
Caribbean Court of Justice pioneers new technology to improve court performance
Belize – A suite of new high-tech court management systems is to be adopted by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)… more
Gov’t, GTT begin liberalisation talks
Guyana – Discussions began on Friday by the Guyana Government with the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Co. Ltd (GTT) and its parent company, ATN International (ATNI), in preparation for the transition to a liberalised telecommunications sector, according to a release from the Ministry of Public Telecommunications… more
Prime Minister Says BPO Sector Critical for Growth and Job Creation
Jamaica –Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector is critical in the plan for inclusive economic growth and job creation, and that by next year, at least seven additional companies are expected to come on stream… more
Caricel Joins Global Cyber Alliance
Jamaica – Caricel, Jamaica’s only superfast LTE broadband network is pleased to announce its partnership with the Global Cyber Alliance (GCA), an international non-profit organization focused on addressing systemic cyber risks through delivery of concrete, measurable solutions… more
Local BPO Players Unfazed By Trump’s Protectionist Threat
Jamaica – Local business process outsourcing (BPO) stakeholders have declared that they are confident that the protectionist policy position of United States President-elect Donald Trump, which focuses on keeping jobs in his country, will not have major implications for the sector… more
Wheatley optimistic about positive IDI rankings
Jamaica –Minister of Science, Energy and Technology Dr Andrew Wheatley has expressed optimism at the positive movement in Jamaica’s 2016 ICT Development Index (IDI) ranking… more
Automated FTTX Network Planning and Cost Calculations Combined with Demand Aggregation Secures Fiber Broadband Business Case
Regional – Comsof and COS Systems announce that FiberPlanIT, used for automated FTTx network planning, and COS Service Zones, used for Demand Aggregation, have been verified to be used collaboratively to enable fast and accurate fiber plans and deployment cost estimates based on actual customer demand… more
CANTO welcomes ICT collaboration
Regional – In a move to shape and align the strategic ICT agenda in the region, the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) brought several regional ICT stakeholders together at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Port of Spain, Trinidad on December 5 and 6… more
Marketing Strategies Today: Three critical keys when considering Pinterest for business
Regional – Pinterest is the latest social media craze. Its high volume of users, activity and resulting buzz have now ranked the social network in position three behind only Twitter and Facebook… more
Using Tech to Improve the Caribbean’s Business Environment
Regional – In the famous words of legendary Bob Marley, “…don’t let them fool you…”. Despite the images of white sandy beaches, turquoise seas and milky coconuts, the Caribbean is notoriously known as a tough neighborhood for starting and doing business… more
Women on Top! Female entrepreneurs Win PitchIT Caribbean Challenge
Regional – Five female entrepreneurs each won US$5,000 in seed funding, a place in a PitchIt Caribbean accelerator programme and participation in an international pitching competition, after winning the PitchIt Caribbean Challenge held in Trinidad this month… more
Bmobile introduces 4GLTE
Trinidad and Tobago – It must have been an annoyance for the media, and their attendance flagged at the second event last week, but conflating a business deal that TSTT CEO Dr Ronald Walcott described as “the largest commercial paper ever done in T&T” with the launch of a long awaited upgrade to mobile broadband was sure to dim attention for one or the other to the company’s regret… more
Trinidad telco TSTT launches 4G LTE in 1900MHz band
Trinidad and Tobago – Trinidad & Tobago state-controlled telecoms operator TSTT has launched 4G LTE services in the 1900MHz frequency band, according to the Trinidad … more
Tuesday, 13 December 2016
Creating Opportunities for Investment in Technology-Based Industries in Barbados
Barbados – Any strategy for sustainable economic development of Barbados should include harnessing science and technology for the development of technology-based products and services… more
Flow customers may be affected by ‘migration’ works
British Virgin Islands – Telecoms company Flow said persons may be experiencing difficulties with their broadband service because it has been migrating some customers onto a new network… more
Cuba signs deal with Google for faster access
Cuba – Cuba signed a deal with Google Monday to enable faster access to content from the US tech giant on the communist island, where internet service is notoriously limited and slow… more
Commissioner of Information has no staff, office but asked to report on his work
Guyana – Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo says the Commissioner of Information, Retired Justice Charles Ramson Snr. has not reported on his work in recent years, and at the same time he noted that Ramson has no office or staff… more
NY man pleads guilty in cellphone fraud scheme linked C’bean
Regional – A New York City resident has pleaded guilty in connection with a sophisticated global cellphone fraud scheme that involved compromising mobile customers’ accounts and “cloning” their phones to make fraudulent international calls to the Caribbean… more
St. Kitts And Nevis Awarded Twice For Outstanding Improvements In ICT Development
Saint Kitts and Nevis – St. Kitts and Nevis was recently awarded for its major improvements in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector during the 14th World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Symposium (WTIS) held in Botswana from November 21-23… more
Wednesday, 14 December 2016
CCJ rules against regulator in Belize telecommunications dispute
Belize – The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) last week delivered its judgment in the case of Speednet Communications Limited v Public Utilities Commission. The CCJ, the highest appellate court in Belize, reversed the Court of Appeal and found that Speednet Communications Limited proved its case… more
Speednet wins case against PUC; awarded almost $800,000
Belize – After losing a drawn-out court battle to collect millions in license fees from telecommunications providers in Belize, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) may move to amend legislation which was deemed “ambiguous” by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Belize’s final appellate court, resulting in different interpretations by both the regulator and the telecommunications provider – Speednet Communications Limited… more
Consumer body demands forensic audit into GTT
Guyana – There is a major battle brewing between US-owned Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) and the Guyana Consumers Association (GCA)… more
US defendant asks court to throw out Digicel fraud case
Haiti – A US company being sued for alleged fraud by Denis O’Brien’s telecoms company Digicel has asked a US court to throw out the case… more
Thursday, 15 December 2016
Copper theft hindering BTC’s restoration progress
Bahamas –TC executives revealed that theft has hindered restoration efforts following the destruction of Hurricane Matthew back in October of this year… more
‘Put Money Where Mouth Is’ On $70m Mobile Offering
Bahamas – Some institutional investors are seeking extra time to make a “maximum investment” in the new mobile operator’s majority shareholder, with the process at the “put your money where your mouth is” stage… more
CCJ interpretation of ‘Channels’ eases SMART 5 million dollars in fees
Belize – Speednet, the parent company of Smart, the second major telephone company in Belize, has won judgment against the Public Utilities Commission (PUC)… more
GoB Hits a Snag in Arbitration Appeal to the US Supreme Court
Belize – Earlier this month the Government of Belize had petitioned the US Supreme Court to review a ruling handed down in July by the DC Circuit Court that upheld the monetary award to the Belize Telemedia Limited via the London Court of International Arbitration… more
Taiwan helps fund Belize online license and permit system
Belize – Belizeans will soon be able to apply for a license or a permit online through the Belize Electronic License and Permit System(BELAPS) being implemented by the Central Information Technology Office (CITO) in Belmopan with financial assistance from the Republic of China on Taiwan… more
Telecom ‘Truth in Advertising’ rules require honesty
Cayman Islands – “Truth in Advertising” guidelines for telecom companies, published this week by the Information and Communications Technology Authority, require companies offering phone, internet and other services to be honest when marketing to consumers… more
Consumer body challenges GTT’s claim that landline applications declining
Guyana – A consumer body battling US-owned Guyana Telephone and Telephone Company (GTT) over an application to raise rates, is refuting claims by the latter that citizens are no longer interested in owning a landline… more
E-Gov’s Centre of Excellence in Information Technology to be completed in January
Guyana – The eGovernment Agency’s Centre of Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT) is expected to be officially opened in February, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported… more
Top IT Students Receive Laptops
Jamaica – Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, presented laptops to the two top-performing students in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Information Technology examination for 2016… more
Mastercard hosts innovation forum for Latin America and the Caribbean
Regional – For the fifth year, and with a “Digital by Design” motto, Mastercard’s Innovation Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean, held in Miami Beach from November 29 – 30, was the perfect stage for the main operators in payments and technology to join forces and agree how to streamline digitalization of their products and services, in order to re-imagine the user experience in the era of hyper-connectivity… more
TSTT launches 4G LTE
Trinidad and Tobago – TSTT digitally cemented its brand as the number one communications provider in Trinidad and Tobago with the launch of their historic 4G LTE (long-term evolution) Mobile Network on Friday… more
Friday, 16 December 2016
Freedom of Information Bill tabled in Bahamas parliament
Bahamas – Following through on a commitment to table the Freedom of Information Bill before the end of the year, Bahamas Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald on Wednesday brought the long-awaited bill to the House of Assembly, but there will be no debate on the bill until the New Year… more
BTL Says It’s the First Telecom In Central America Or Caribbean With 4GLTE Advanced
Belize – It’s been active for a few weeks now, but BTL officially launched its 4G LTE Advanced service today… more
Telemedia Launches 4G LTE Internet
Belize – The Belize Telemedia Limited has launched its 4G LTE Data Service countrywide and has had many of its consumers boasting of the new high speed internet that they have been experiencing… more
17 more post offices to be ICT ready next year
Guyana – In an effort to recalibrate the mandate of the post offices in Guyana to efficiently accommodate the needs of the people for the 21st Century, Minister of Public Telecommunications recently stated that several post offices are poised to be upgraded with ICT ready services… more
Broadcasting authority head resigned before dismissal – PM’s office
Guyana – Cabinet accepted the advice of an inquiry into matters pertaining to the broadcasting authority that its Chairman Leonard Craig should be dismissed but Craig resigned today before he was sacked… more
Guyana and ICT
Guyana – In 2005, during an Independence Day address to the nation, then President Bharrat Jagdeo touted the modernisation of Guyana as being dependent on “the development of reliable, inexpensive telecommunication services with a sufficient band-width to allow for Information Technology related services to be developed and exported… more
Use Strong Passwords And Think Before You Click, Technology Minister Warns
Jamaica – Minister of Energy Science, and Technology Andrew Wheatley is urging that while Jamaicans celebrate important revolutions in technology, they should be more mindful of the various threats constantly posed by cybercriminals from around the world… more
Digicel hires consultants to help in massive cost-cutting plan
Regional – Denis O’Brien’s Digicel Group has started an unprecedented cost-cutting plan and hired financial consultants McKinsey and Goetzpartners to help cut its massive debt burden as the mobile phone group grapples with declining earnings… more
Garfield Sinclair Appointed Head of Caribbean for C&W
Regional – Garfield (Garry) Sinclair was today announced as President, Caribbean for Cable & Wireless Communications (“C&W” or “The Company”). The position has responsibility for operations in 15 territories across the region, including C&W’s Jamaica, Trinidad and Barbados markets… more
The Power of Social Media: Top five strategy tips
Regional – Whoever you are, whatever you do, social media is undoubtedly playing a part in your life… more
St. Kitts and Nevis sign agreement for supply of CCTV Equipment
Saint Kitts and Nevis – St. Kitts and Nevis will soon have its own Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) System… more
Saturday, 17 December 2016
Antigua: Pay phones for prisoners
Antigua and Barbuda – Inmates at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) may no longer feel the need to smuggle cellular phones into “1735” as the Government of Antigua & Barbuda is willing to amend its prisons policies in order to establish a pay phone system… more
Guyana building Information Technology Centre
Guyana – The eGovernment Agency’s Centre of Excellence in Information Technology is expected to be officially opened in February…. more
Denis O’Brien’s Digicel faces a cocktail of risks
Regional – As he briefed bond investors this week on the “substantial risks” facing Denis O’Brien’s Digicel, CreditSights debt analyst Michael Chakardjian evoked punk band The Clash in his presentation entitled: “Should I stay or should I go now?” …. more
Sinclair takes charge of C&W’s Caribbean operations
Regional – Cable & Wireless Communications (C&W), which operates here as FLOW, has announced a new head of operations for Barbados and the rest of the Caribbean… more
Sunday, 18 December 2016
Guyana must embrace digital technology if we are to move forward
Guyana – Dear Editor, The National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) has noticed several letters in the daily newspapers, by Mr Tony Vieira. The most recent letter appeared in the December 9, edition of the Stabroek News titled ‘We do not have to go digital.’ … more
With the liberalization of Telecoms sector…NFMU’s plans will address need for additional spectrum – Hughes
Guyana – Public Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes is convinced that the plans in place for the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) will without a doubt place the entity in a better position to serve the public and facilitate the Government’s and Private Sector’s roll-out of ICT networks and services… more
Debunking The ‘Call Centre Myth’ – Era Of Low-Skill Recruits Fading Away, Says Sutherland Global Boss
Jamaica – Country Head and associate vice-president at Sutherland Global Services Odetta Rockhead Kerr wants to erase the perception of call centres in Jamaica as a low-skill employer… more
FLOW/LIME to pay millions in redundancy money to ex-worker
Jamaica – FLOW, formerly LIME, has been ordered to pay out millions of dollars to a former employee who was successful in a case brought against the company over its refusal to pay him his redundancy package after his position was made redundant in 2014… more
Image credits: Mars Hill Church (flickr); Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Marketing Magazine
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