A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 12 June to Sunday 18 June 2017.
Monday, 12 June 2017
BTC raises awareness of securities solutions
Bahamas – Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) recently participated in the 27th annual Conference of Regional Central Banks’ Information Systems Specialists. Over 250 participants attended the conference from both private and commercial banks… more
URCA defends its use of ads promoting mobile number portability
Bahamas – CEO of the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) Stephen Bereaux sought to dispel concerns that the telecoms regulator is stepping out of its role to promote mobile number portability (MNP) for purposes other than public education… more
Ozone adds new layer to mobile services here
Barbados – A year after it was due to begin operating here, telecommunications firm Ozone is set to “disrupt” the local mobile phone sector from next month… more
Digicel helps Guyanese govt set up 55 ICT hubs
Guyana – Bermuda-based telecommunications group Digicel has partnered with Guyana’s telecommunications ministry to set up 55 ICT connectivity hubs across the country, 30 of which are already operational… more
Jamaica to be first total e-governance country in region
Jamaica – JAMAICA is now poised to become the first total e-government society in this region… more
Jamaica to digitize ID system
Jamaica – As a first step towards a fully digitized government, Jamaica will implement a national identification system (NIDS) by 2018… 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
CARICOM consumers can now transmit complaints live on-line
Regional – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) consumers now have access to the CARREX Online Electronic Platform and the live public portal for providing alerts on dangerous non-foods consumer goods on the markets in all fifteen CARICOM Member States… more
Marketing Strategies Today: How to leverage LinkedIn effectively for profitability
Regional – LinkedIn is one of the social media websites that promotes networking all over the world… more
PRESS RELEASE: New Flow Kids app delivers anytime/anywhere content to Caribbean children
Regional – Flow’s younger viewers now have a kid-friendly service that delivers children’s content anytime, anywhere, on any device via the new “Flow Kids” app specially developed by Toon Goggles, the top kids’ on-demand entertainment service… more
E-Ticket Sales Platform Launched in St. Lucia
Saint Lucia – St. Lucia is finally home to its first online ticketing platform. LucianTickets.com provides an avenue for local event organisers to sell tickets entirely online. Event patrons can purchase tickets using their debit/credit cards from the LucianTickets.com website on any computer or mobile…. more
Tuesday, 13 June 2017
Bahamian speaks at Haiti Tech Summit
Bahamas – Bahamian Kristie Powell, who is a senior technical solutions consultant at Google, told Guardian Business yesterday that she wants to see The Bahamas more abuzz about technology and Bahamians more engaged in it, outside of just the tech Bahamians receive and experience from its two mobile providers… more
Avoiding top Bitcoin scams
Barbados – VIRTUAL CURRENCIES, such as Bitcoin, are intended to serve as a type of money… more
Ozone Wireless coming
Barbados – N JUST ABOUT A MONTH, Barbados’ telecommunications environment is set to get even more competitive… more
OZONE WIRELESS SET TO OPEN SOON
Barbados – In about a month’s time this island’s newest mobile provider, Ozone Wireless (Barbados) Inc, will be officially up and running, providing competition for the existing telecommunications companies based here… more
Are you getting the Internet speed you’re paying for?
Regional – Whether it’s a basic 25 megabits per second (Mbps) or a powerful 200Mbps connection, you’re paying a lot for your Internet service… more
Avoiding top Bitcoin scams
Regional – VIRTUAL CURRENCIES, such as Bitcoin, are intended to serve as a type of money. more
CARICOM consumers may now submit complaints live online
Regional – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) consumers now have access to the CARREX online electronic platform and the live public portal for providing alerts on dangerous non-foods consumer goods on the markets in all 15 CARICOM member states… more
Digicel urges regulation of Facebook, WhatsApp, Google
Regional – Digicel is once again urging governments in the Caribbean to follow other countries that are on board with efforts to ensure that online companies like Facebook, Google and WhatsApp obey the law and pay their fair share of taxes… more
PRESS RELEASE: QYOU makes waves in the Caribbean with Flow deal
Regional – QYOU Media (TSXV: QYOU), the world’s leading curator of premium ‘best-of-web’ video for multiscreen distribution, has partnered with Caribbean telecommunications operator Flow to deliver curated short-form sports content via its network, Flow Sports. This is QYOU’s first deal in the Caribbean… more
TelEm Group new CEO Kendall Dupersoy Takes Office
Regional – TelEm Group’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Kendall Dupersoy, officially took office in the company’s main building on Pond Island Wednesday morning, where he was greeted by a welcoming party of Supervisory Board and Management Board members… more
Cyber Crime lab for Saint Lucia?
Saint Lucia – Saint Lucia is exploring the possibility of setting up a cyber crime laboratory, National Security Minister, Hermangild Francis has disclosed… more
Wednesday, 14 June 2017
BTC hosting disaster recovery workshop with the business community
Bahamas – In an effort to supplement the physical preparedness of its infrastructure, the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) will host a disaster recovery workshop with the business community on June 23… more
GOB WON’T MAKE JUNE 28 PAYMENT TO ASHCROFT ALLIANCE: FIN SEC
Belize – The Government of Belize is hoping to secure the services of a Trinidadian lawyer operating in the British Virgin Islands to help argue its case at the Caribbean Court of Justice in what will likely be a new round of litigation at the country’s highest appellate court, absent resolution by the Government of Belize and the Michael Ashcroft group of a dispute over the final US$104 million in payments due on June 28 for the Government’s 2009 acquisition of Belize Telemedia Limited… more
BVI to pursue number portability – Vanterpool
British Virgin Islands – Minister responsible for telecommunications Mark Vanterpool has disclosed that Government intends to put legislation in place to facilitate local number portability in the British Virgin Islands… more
Internet providers working towards better service
British Virgin Islands – The three main network service providers operating in the Territory have said that they are working towards considerable network improvements… more
Failure to activate all IT modules leads to rampant corruption, billion$ lost – GRA boss
Guyana – For over ten years, officials within the Ministry of Finance had failed to implement crucial elements/modules of a computerized accounting system from Canada. This programme was intended to ensure accountability for how taxpayers’ money is budgeted and spent by the government… more
BGLC To Host Caribbean Gaming Summit
Jamaica – When franchise holders approached the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) to host the seventh staging of the Caribbean Gaming Show and Summit, there was no hesitation in accepting the invitation to stage the two-day event, which will take place at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, St James, starting today… more
DIGICEL Calls for GOVTS to Protect Consumers and Tax Revenue
Jamaica – With many more countries around the world getting on board with efforts to ensure that online giants like Facebook, Google and WhatsApp obey the law and pay their fair share of taxes, Digicel is once again urging governments in the region to do the same…. more
E-commerce forcing out local businesses
Jamaica – “ To be honest, we were forced to. Sometimes you change things because you foresee things or because you are forced to.” … more
Gov’t Reviewing Draft Policy On Cyber Security, E-Safety For Youth
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The government is currently reviewing a draft policy aimed at cyber security and e-safety for the nation’s children both in the school environment and at home… more
Flow promises improved cable TV and internet service
Saint Lucia – Telecommunications Provider Flow says it’s working to improve the quality of service being provided to the St Lucian public… more
TSTT Matters — Accountability and Good Governance*
Trinidad and Tobago – THE previous article examined the transparency aspects of TSTT’s May 2017 agreement to buy Massy Communications for $255 million… more
Thursday, 15 June 2017
Electronic Payment License Island Luck’S ‘Top Priority’
Bahamas – Sebas Bastian’s Island Luck group yesterday said it was targeting remittance and electronic banking licenses as “top priority”, as it prepares to submit paperwork for an initial public offering (IPO) by next week… more
Mek Mi Rich Case Goes To Appeal
Belize – Back in February of 2016, the Corozal businessman, Curtis Swasey, won a big judgement against BTL and the owners of Mek Mi Rich, Andre Vega and Sanjay Hotchandani… more
More Litigations on Mek Mi Rich
Belize – Belize Telecommunications Limited, BTL, and Curtis Swasey are back in court, this time at the Court of Appeal. Both parties, it appears, are not satisfied with the quantum that Justice Courtney Abel awarded Swasey at the Supreme Court in February of 2016… more
Gov’t vehicles to be equipped with internet connectivity
Guyana – The technology used to connect government buildings and schools will soon be used to provide internet connection to Government’s service vehicles, DPI/GINA said… more
Protecting children online, key component of cybersecurity – Telecoms Minister
Guyana – It has been noted that with the unlimited benefits offered by the internet, children are vulnerable to online bullying and other menacing consequences when used in a perverse manner by other persons… more
Internet Gaming in Jamaica on Fast Track
Jamaica – The Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC), has indicated that it intends to fast-track the roll-out of Internet gaming in Jamaica… more
Caribbean – Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Digital Media – Statistics and Analyses
Regional – Caribbean operators ramp up investments in LTE and GPON fibre services… more
C&W NETWORKS WINS WORLDWIDE INNOVATION AWARD FOR WHOLESALE SERVICE
Regional – C&W Networks, part of C&W Communications (C&W), was recently recognized for outstanding industry leadership in wholesale service innovation as it won the Wholesale Service Innovation worldwide award category in the Global Telecom Business (GTB) Telecoms Innovation Awards 2017 in London… more
New Flow Kids app brings content to Caribbean
Regional – Flow’s younger viewers now have a kid-friendly service that delivers children’s content anytime, anywhere, on any device via the new Flow Kids app, specially developed by Toon Goggles, the top kids’ on-demand entertainment service… more
Gov’t says no job losses following TSTT’s purchase of Massy Communications
Trinidad and Tobago – Public Utilities Minister, Fitzgerald Hinds, has indicated that it is not likely that the move by TSTT to purchase Massy Communications will result in the displacement of workers… more
Mickela: Protect youths from cyber-bullying
Trinidad and Tobago – Attorney Mickela Panday has lamented that there are no laws to protect vulnerable children and teenagers from cyber-bullying… more
The 4G LTE compatible Huawei P10
Trinidad and Tobago – Customers will have lots to be excited about with the arrival of the Huawei P10… more
Friday, 16 June 2017
Damaged Cable Triggers Island-Wide Black Out
Bahamas – Halted traffic and malfunctioning traffic lights described the streets of the New Providence yesterday afternoon as a result of an island-wide outage… more
Don’t over regulate sharing economy, Govt told
Barbados – An advocacy group for Barbadians who offer their homes to visitors through the home share programme Airbnb is warning Government that overregulation of the sharing economy would be counterproductive… more
Fight cyber-harassment!
Barbados – Kudos to Ms. Sealy-Smith for speaking out on this kind of cyber-harassment (“Blatant lie” on page 8 of Barbados TODAY, June 13, 2017) … more
Merged – CCT touts better service with BVI Cable
British Virgin Islands – Local telecom company CCT today announced that it has signed an agreement to consolidate its ownership and management with that of BVI Cable TV, subject to Government approval… more
Digicel’s presence leads to reduced profits for GTT
Guyana – Since the 2007 arrival of Digicel in Guyana, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has been recording reduced income. This was noted by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in its June 9, 2017 decision to approve the hike in rates for landline services and the reduction in charges for international calls… more
GTT gets approval to increase landline rates
Guyana – The Public Utilities Commission has approved the application of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) to increase its landline rates and reduce the international rates on calls… more
GTT gets OK for higher landline rates, overseas calls to be cheaper
Guyana – Three years after the original application, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has granted the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) temporary approval to raise domestic rates for some of its services. The approved rates are subject to GTT fulfilling several conditions of improved service… more
HBO Latin America now available in the Caribbean on Apple TV
Regional – HBO fans in the Caribbean are now able to access HBO Latin America through Apple TV… more
Letter: BPO is no long term solution
Regional – Dear Sir: Business process outsourcing (BPO) is being touted as an opportunity for the diversification of our economy… more
PRESS RELEASE: Gumbo – Saint Lucia’s very own online marketplace
Saint Lucia – Organization, simplicity and elegance – attributes that are presented with Gumbo. Now Saint Lucians can enjoy an online classified ads website for free. This is Gumbo – https://www.localgumbo.com/ … more
Saturday, 17 June 2017
Internet governance forum next week
Barbados – THE INTERNET WILL come into sharp focus next week when the first Barbados Internet Governance Forum is held here… more
Gov’t Developing Regulations for Interactive Gaming
Jamaica – The Government is developing regulations to govern interactive and online gambling… more
C&W NETWORKS WINS WORLDWIDE INNOVATION AWARD FOR WHOLESALE SERVICE
Regional – C&W Networks, part of C&W Communications (C&W), was recently recognized for outstanding industry leadership in wholesale service innovation as it won the Wholesale Service Innovation worldwide award category in the Global Telecom Business (GTB) Telecoms Innovation Awards 2017 in London… more
Flow: No rights to air ‘chef’ special on T&T *
Trinidad and Tobago – CELEBRITY chef Anthony Bourdain’s visit to Trinidad and Tobago earlier this year may have sparked excitement among those eager to see the T&T episode of his hit series Parts Unknown… more
Sunday, 18 June 2017
Flow moves ahead with internet and cable TV upgrade
Saint Lucia – Telecommunication company Flow is forging ahead with its plan to upgrade its services to customers on the island… more
Image credits: carterse (flickr); Wikipedia; The Eleutheran; Wikipedia; Wikipedia
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