A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 8 May to Sunday 14 May 2017.
Monday, 8 May 2017
Bahamas launches mobile number portability
Bahamas – The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) of the Bahamas has announced the launch of mobile number portability in the country, allowing “scores” of users to successfully port their existing numbers between service providers, currently BTC and Aliv… more
REV breaks all Internet speed records for The Bahamas
Bahamas – The world leader in Internet performance testing and metrics has named REV The Bahamas’ fastest fixed broadband provider for the year 2016… more
The Story Of The BTC Sale
Bahamas – PARLIAMENT has been dissolved, the parliamentary committee established to investigate the sale of BTC (an issue deemed by some to be of national importance) never reported… more
PTA head against cellphones
Barbados – THE HEAD OF the Barbados National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (BNCPTA) remains firmly set against the use of cellphones in schools… more
Sutherland Global Community Tech Centre certifies 100
Jamaica – Sutherland Global Services Community Technology Centre, the philanthropic arm of Business Process Outsourcing Company Sutherland Global Services, recently certified 100 participants from a short Microsoft Digital Literacy course being offered here… more
Cable & Wireless Reports Preliminary Q1 2017 Results
Regional – Cable & Wireless Communications Limited (“CWC”) is the leading telecommunications operator in substantially all its consumer markets, which are predominantly located in the Caribbean and Latin America, providing entertainment, information and communication services to 3.6 million mobile, 0.4 million television, 0.6 million internet and 0.8 million fixed-line telephony subscribers… more
Caribbean banks see rise in cyber attacks
Regional – Imagine doing a routine check on your bank account only to discover that an entire month’s worth of credit had been swiped from your card. The nightmare became reality for one elderly Belizean couple, who fell victim to identity theft… more
Caribbean Courts Need To Be Better Prepared To Judge Cybercrimes
Regional – Institutions worldwide are finding it hard to keep up with the rapid pace of advance in computer-based technology… more
CWC sales down 4% to USD 576 mln in Q1, subs up 10,000
Regional – Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC), part of Liberty Global’s Latin American and Caribbean group (LiLAC), reported rebased revenues of USD 575.6 million in the first quarter of 2017, down 4.1 percent year on year due to weakness primarily in its mobile and fixed-line segments… more
DIGICEL Limited Commences Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation for Any and All of Its 7.000% Senior Notes Due 2020
Regional – Digicel Limited (“Digicel”, the “Company” or “we”) today announced that it has commenced a cash tender offer, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Company’s Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement dated May 8, 2017 (the “Statement”), for any and all of its outstanding 7.000% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “Notes”)… more
Wi-Fi available at Soleil events
Saint Lucia – The Soleil Saint Lucia Summer Festival begins in May, with Saint Lucia Jazz held on May 11 – 14… more
No more business as usual for T&T
Trinidad and Tobago – Despite our economic challenges most citizens of Trinidad and Tobago experience a reasonably moderate to high standard of living… more
The Massy Comms purchase
Trinidad and Tobago – There’s no question that the announcement of the share acquisition of Massy Communications by TSTT was a surprising move by the state telecommunications company and one that raises several questions… more
Tuesday, 9 May 2017
Caymanian to take over as local Digicel chief executive
Cayman Islands – Raul Nicholson-Coe has been named chief executive officer for Digicel’s Cayman Islands operation effective June 1… more
USF to establish national public safety broadband network
Jamaica – The Universal Service Fund (USF) is establishing a National Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN), which will allow government entities to link remotely, thereby improving the efficiency of communication across Government… more
TATT: Citizens to benefit from increased wi-fi in public spaces
Trinidad and Tobago – Chairman of the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) Gilbert Peterson has said that Trinidad and Tobago is expected to benefit from 45 Wi-Fi hotspots in public spaces. He also said TATT is moving with speed towards the licencing of White Space Devices (WSDs0 by September 2017… more
TSTT acted with our consent
Trinidad and Tobago – Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley says “it is wrong to say that TSTT has been acting without Cabinet’s knowledge and consent,” when it entered into a $255 million dollar Share Purchase Agreement with Massy Communications, a subsidiary of the Massy Holdings conglomerate… more
Wednesday, 10 May 2017
BTC loses 6,000 mobile subscribers
Bahamas – Cable & Wireless Communications (C&W), part owner of Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), said 6,000 mobile subscribers, both prepaid and postpaid, were lost in the first quarter of 2017 as a result of competition from BeAliv Ltd… more
Social Media
Belize – The so-called “social media” mechanisms have become exciting and influential in Belize and in the diaspora over the last several years. One of the most dynamic aspects of the social media in Belize is speed of response… more
More than 99% of Tortola, VG now covered – DIGICEL
British Virgin Islands – Digicel today announced the completion of its 4G LTE network upgrade, adding that the development has increased its coverage to more than 99 percent of the population in Tortola and Virgin Gorda – the most populated islands in the British Virgin Islands (BVI)… more
Four leave Digicel – including Hull
Cayman Islands – Kareem-Nelson Hull is among four people who left Digicel BVI at the end of last month, and a number of other employees are said to be expecting approval of their requests under the telecoms company’s global restructuring and voluntary separation programme… more
Online petition takes aim at plastic bags
Cayman Islands – A change.org campaign that aims to ban plastic bags in the Cayman Islands needs about 200 additional supporters to meet its signature goal… more
Jamaica’s BPO sector can employ more people, IMF told
Jamaica – Nigel Clarke, Jamaica’s Ambassador of Economic Affairs and Deputy Chair of the Economic Growth Council, has told the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) has an enormous capacity to employ more people… more
Jamaica Customs first to adopt latest version of ASYCUDA
Jamaica – Jamaica is on the brink of creating history in the air freight industry, as it will be the first country to adopt the latest version of ASYCUDA World which now integrates the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Cargo-XML messaging standards… more
CARIBBEAN: FLOW Barbados sending home employees
Regional – Several employees of telecommunications giant FLOW will be on the breadline as the company carries out restructuring… more
Digicel Tries To Ease Debt Servicing Burden
Regional – Digicel International Finance Limited (DIFL) is currently in the process of refinancing a portion of its existing debt to ease the interest charges… more
DTH saves CWC from sinking in the Caribbean
Regional – Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) has reported a flat pay-TV business in Q1 2017, but satellite operations have offset losses across the Caribbean… more
Thursday, 11 May 2017
ASYCUDA just needs a month or two, Customs says
Antigua and Barbuda – ASYCUDA world system will be “sorted in a month or two” according to its Programme Information Manager, Jules Bowen… more
Flow to cut several workers
Barbados – Telecommunications provider Flow has confirmed that several employees in Barbados will be going home, amid ongoing internal restructuring… more
11th Circ. Won’t Rethink $22M Belize Telecom Deal Row
Belize – The Eleventh Circuit summarily refused Wednesday to reconsider its ruling forcing the government of Belize to face allegations that the country owes more than $22 million for leased telecommunications equipment… more
Online police clearances now available
Cayman Islands – The days of making two trips to the police records office on Walkers Road to obtain police clearances are over, at least for internet users… more
ICT tender: Dominican Republic to buy tax agency software
Dominican Republic – The government of the Dominican Republic opened a call for the development and implementation of a software solution to be used… more
OAS agrees to support Dominican Republic in developing National Cyber Security Policy
Dominican Republic – The Organization of American States (OAS) has agreed to support the Dominican Republic in the development of its National Cyber Security Policy… more
$1.3B Fibre Optic Cable scrapped – Hughes
Guyana – After months of conducting a series of inspections, the government is made to face the stark reality that like the Skeldon Sugar Factory, the Fibre Optic Cable from Lethem to Georgetown is just another humpty-dumpty… more
E-Government “catastrophe” now a success story– Minister Hughes
Guyana – During the previous administration, the eGovernment Network project was fraught with troubles pertaining to management, misappropriation of assets and various forms of corruption… more
DataTorque revamaps Haiti’s tax collection system
Haiti – Wellington based software company DataTorque in partnership with Canadian company C2D Services has secured a six year contract from the Government of Canada to produce a French language version of its RMS taxation management system and implement it for Haiti’s tax authority, the Direction Générale des Impôts… more
Tufton endorses health care management system
Jamaica – Jamaica’s health care industry has received a technological boost with the launch of a system that is expected to facilitate the comprehensive management of a doctor’s practice as well as larger medical facilities… more
BUSINESS BYTE: Flow welcomes the Samsung Galaxy 8 and 8+ in store today
Regional – Flow announces the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ in store. A smartphone that pushes the boundaries of traditional smartphones with its seamless hardware design and a variety of new service offerings, is now available to customers who have been patiently awaiting its arrival… more
CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Mobile Banking App Named Best In The Region
Regional – Less than a year after its launch, CIBC FirstCaribbean’s mobile banking app has been named best in the region… more
Cyber security – can Caribbean governments defend theirs borders alone?
Regional – The dangers of cyber threats in the Caribbean continue to evolve and spike at a rate never seen before… more
The internet and economic development
Regional – The Internet has revolutionised the way we all work, socialise, create and share information. Despite its growing presence in society, many parts of the Caribbean are not able to make the full use of internet connectivity… more
Digicel launches Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+
Saint Lucia – Today, Digicel launched the latest and hottest smartphones from Samsung’s Galaxy flagship line, the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+… more
Flow unveils Samsung Galaxy S8!
Saint Lucia – Saint Lucia’s and the Caribbean’s number one telecommunications service provider, Flow, now has the world’s most ambitious handset available to its mobile customers, with a special offer for new and existing subscribers… more
Letter: Big broadband network in Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago – Dear Sir: The Trinidad and Tobago prime minister has confirmed that the Cabinet was aware of the overall strategic plan of TSTT, the local telecoms provider, one to be funded by a TT$1.9 billion loan… more
Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago and its Customers Rely on Aimetis
Trinidad and Tobago – Aimetis Corp., a global leader in intelligent video management software, today announced that Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) has drastically reduced vandalism related costs with Aimetis Symphony™ and native video analytics to protect the property and assets of its corporate security customers… more
TSTT, follow Massy’s lead
Trinidad and Tobago – THIS is an open letter to Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT)… more
TSTT optimistic for ICT in TT
Trinidad and Tobago – The future of the telecommunications industry in Trinidad and Tobago is facing a huge uplift following the announcement on May 2 that TSTT has entered into a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Massy Communications Ltd to purchase 100% of the Massy Communications shareholdings… more
Friday, 12 May 2017
Call drop
Barbados – Business is not exactly flowing in the right direction for one local telecommunications company these days… more
Belize leads Caribbean race to cyber preparedness
Belize – Scandalous Facebook pages carrying the name “Belizean Cheaters” sparked public uproar in the country, revealing sexually explicit details of adulterous affairs involving men, women and even children… more
PM Says GDG Lawsuit “Unenforceable”
Belize – In other news from our interview with the Prime Minister, we got an update on one more piece of multi million dollar litigation against the government. That’s the Glen Godfrey Case, where he is seeking to collect 22 million US dollars in a US court… more
Cable & Wireless acquires Marpin 2K4 Ltd
Dominica – Dominica will soon have the opportunity to experience the best multi-platform TV the region has to offer as Cable & Wireless Communications (C&W), the operators of Flow, today announced that it has acquired local Dominican cable company Marpin 2K4 Ltd (Marpin)… more
More legal action if GTT does not comply with High Court Order- Telecom Workers Union
Guyana – The Guyana Postal and Telecommunications Workers Union (GP&TWU) on Friday warned the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) that if it does not abide by a High Court order on plans to send home 120 workers more legal action would be taken… more
Probe into improper pre-2015 financial arrangements at E-Gov. Unit ongoing – Minister Hughes
Guyana – Even though there has been no word on the status of the two-year-old investigation into the improper financial arrangements that existed pre-2015 at the E-Governance Unit, the coalition administration is adamant that justice will be had… more
BUSINESS BYTE: Digicel launches Samsung Galaxy 8 and Galaxy 8+
Regional – On Thursday, May 11 Digicel launched the latest and hottest smartphones from Samsung’s Galaxy flagship line, the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+… more
Caribbean girls under cyber attack, says Belizean First Lady
Regional – A cyberbullying victim’s parents are speaking out in Belize against the alarming practice of posting nude photos of young girls online… more
Digicel Raises US$1.2b For Debt Refinancing
Regional – Citi, a global financial institution, described the US$1.25 billion refinancing of Digicel’s debt as the largest in its class from emerging markets… more
Flow Customers Get Behind the Scenes Look At TV Production as CTI’s “Me On My TV” Reality Show Comes to Flow 1
Regional – Flow Caribbean viewers will get a chance to go behind the scenes of the CaribbeanTales Incubator Program (CTI) and see what it takes to bring a TV production to life, as “Me On My TV” reality show comes to Flow’s new regional network Flow 1 starting on May 17… more
Saturday, 13 May 2017
BELIZE DENIED PETITION FOR REHEARING OF APPEAL OVER GLENN GODFREY’S CLAIM FOR US$22 MIL PLUS INTEREST
Belize – The US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit yesterday flatly denied a petition from the Government of Belize to reconsider its recent decision in the case being pursued by former People’s United Party Minister, Glenn D. Godfrey, a Belizean attorney, banker and former telecommunications businessman, in his claim for US$22 million plus interest for the rental of equipment for a wide area telecommunications network, said by the Government to have been dysfunctional and defunct for years… more
Gov’t cybersecurity alert
Guyana – The government last evening issued a cybersecurity alert in wake of a global “ransomware attack” that was in progress… more
GTT puts redundancy on pause to consult with union – PTWU
Guyana – The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Ltd (GTT) has stopped laying off workers and will now engage the Guyana Postal and Telecommunications Workers Union (PTWU) on the company’s redundancy programme based on a Consent Order that was handed down by the High Court last month… more
New initiative will promote digital jobs in Haiti
Haiti – Entrepreneurs in Haiti will soon have broader access to technical skills training, because of an initiative to promote digital jobs in the country. The initiative is led by LACNIC, the Internet Registry for Latin America and the Caribbean… more
Massy cuts telecoms losses with TSTT buyout
Trinidad and Tobago – Massy Group chairman Robert Bermudez has said after the sale of Massy Communications to majority State-owned TSTT, the company “will exit the telecommunications industry, avoiding further losses from this business and significant capital expenditure which would be required to build out a complete fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network”… more
Sunday, 14 May 2017
Chris Dehring getting READY to launch
Jamaica – Since demitting office as Chairman of Cable & Wireless Jamaica Ltd (then known as Lime, now as FLOW) in 2015, Chris Dehring has gradually been preparing for a revolution in Caribbean media… more
First International Summit of Women of digital
Regional – Monday at the El Rancho Hotel, the Chamber of Commerce of Women Entrepreneurs of Haiti (CCFEH) and the National Council of Telecommunications (CONATEL), in the presence of Jean David Rodney, Director General of CONATEL, Daniella Jacques, CCFEH President, Jessy Menos, Minister of Tourism, Pierre Marie Du Meny, Minister of Trade and Industry, Régine Lamur, Minister of Youth, Sports and Civic Action, and Cleveland Thomas, Regional Director, United Nations Conference on Technology, will officially launch the first International Summit of Women of digital (SIFNUH)… more
New CEO At Yello Amid Expansion
Regional – Regional directory publisher Yello Media Group has given Ian Neita a new job and named Collin Francis as the new CEO, as the company prepares to expand into three new markets… more
Image credits: (Mick Baker)rooster (flickr); Wikipedia; The Eleutheran; Wikipedia;
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