A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 17 July to Sunday 23 July 2017.
Monday, 17 July 2017
Press Release: Antigua reportedly in line for net speeds of up to 800Mbps
Antigua and Barbuda – At the 33rd CANTO Annual Conference & Trade Exhibition, John Reid, CEO of C&W Communications (C&W), announced that C&W has completed a groundbreaking pre-5G (fifth generation wireless broadband technology) trial in Antigua. Once installed, Antigua will be the first country in the region with the most advanced pre-5G network, delivering download peak speeds of up to 800 Mbps… more
Grand Bahama Eastern Communities Rep BTC
Bahamas – Over the years, customers of The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) have watched the company evolve, grow and change to keep up with the rapidly changing technology in the telecommunications business… more
Labour Director Eases BTC Job Fears
Bahamas – With a new CEO at the helm of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company Ltd. (BTC) comes talk and fears of major job losses and while Labour Director Robert Farquharson can’t confirm or deny what’s to come, he’s stressed that there’s a collective bargaining agreement that speaks to such an issue… more
Severe Fiber Damage in Grand Bahama as a Result of a Third Party
Bahamas – On Saturday, July 15th, at approximately 3:35pm, BTC experienced severe damage to its network as a result of a third party construction company… more
Caribbean’s Logic to Radically Transform Marketing and Customer Support Efficiency and Effectiveness with Calix Cloud
Cayman Islands – Calix, Inc. (NYSE:CALX), the world leader in Subscriber Driven Intelligent Access, today announced that Logic, one of the Caribbean’s premier service providers, has selected Calix Marketing Cloud (CMC) and Calix Support Cloud (CSC) to enhance existing GigaCenter deployments and deliver an unmatched subscriber experience in the Cayman Islands… more
ITU assisting Dominican Republic in telecoms reform
Dominican Republic – The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will provide assistance to the Dominican Republic telecoms regulator Indotel to review and revise the country’s … more
Digicel set for significant scaling down of staff here
Guyana – Local cell phone service provider, Digicel is set to significantly scale down staff here by year end with some employees already having accepted severance packages offered, sources close to the company say… more
Local company helping firms to go digital
Guyana – Machines were designed to make life easier and Information Technology is used quite often to find solutions to a number of life’s problems. It is no secret that Guyana’s public sector in particular, has an issue regarding the use of tomes of paper for data storage instead of employing electronic solutions… more
UG, GTT ink Mobile Money app pact
Guyana – The University of Guyana (UG) and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), after launching Money Mobile Guyana (MMG) last month for students to make easy tuition payments, on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding to solidify the deal… more
After St. Maarten, next CarPIF to Belize in 2018
Regional – Belize will host the fourth Caribbean Peering and Interconnection Forum, known as CarPIF, on June 6 and 7, next year… more
C&W COMMUNICATIONS IN THE VANGUARD OF PRE-5G TESTING IN THE CARIBBEAN
Regional – At the 33rd CANTO Annual Conference & Trade Exhibition, John Reid, CEO of C&W Communications (C&W), announced that C&W has completed a groundbreaking pre-5G (fifth generation wireless broadband technology) trial in Antigua… more
Tuesday, 18 July 2017
BTC Suffers Network Damage in GB
Bahamas – Officials at the Bahamas Telecommunications Company Ltd. (BTC) said the organization suffered severe damage to its network in Grand Bahama as a result of a third party construction company… more
BTC sponsors Global Symposium for Regulators
Bahamas – Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) was a key sponsor for the Global Symposium for Regulators, which was held in the country last week… more
GTT officially launches Blaze internet service
Guyana – The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) on Saturday rolled out its US$25 million ‘Blaze’ high speed internet at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, calling it “the fastest internet [service] Guyana has ever seen … more
Association of Digicel Entrepreneurs, new Board of Directors
Haiti – This Tuesday July 18th 2017 a new governing council for Haiti’s Association of Digicel Entrepreneurs takes office today under the guidance of 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year, Myrtha Vilbon – giving fresh impetus to its mission to amplify the voice of business and promote a socially responsible enterprise-driven economy… more
BTC’s parent company conducts 5G testing in Antigua
Regional – BTC’s parent company, C&W Communications announced yesterday that it has completed a groundbreaking pre-5G (fifth generation wireless broadband technology) trial in Antigua… more
CANTO 33rd confab convenes… Regional ICT Heads to promote region as ICT business location
Regional – The Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organizations (CANTO) 33rd Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition is taking place at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic… more
CANTO’s ICT Conference opens in Punta Cana
Regional – The opening ceremony for the CANTO 33rd Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition took place on Sunday afternoon before a packed audience which included a cross section of all possible regional stakeholders in ICT at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana Dominican Republic… more
Caribbean trails global trend in automation
Regional – A technology trend known as automation could be a game-changer for developing regions, but the Caribbean is trailing global adoption… more
CCJ Launches New Digital Platform
Regional – The Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice is using a digital platform for document filing, case management and performance measurement, setting a new standard for the delivery of justice in the Caribbean… more
CWC completes first Caribbean LTE-A Pro trial
Regional – Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) announced at the 33rd Canto annual conference in the Dominican Republic that it has successfully completed the region’s first trial of LTE-Advanced Pro (LTE-A Pro) technology in Antigua and Barbuda… more
UTS doubles up on 4G LTE again
Sint Maarten – UTS has taken the bold move to further increase the speed offered to customers using its 4G LTE mobile internet service… more
TSTT, I can’t*
Trinidad and Tobago – I decided to go public after many days waiting for a return of Internet service from the Telecommunication Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT)… more
Wednesday, 19 July 2017
Curator says museum to enter digital age
Antigua and Barbuda – The next step for the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda is to follow global trends and enter the digital age, the curator, Michele Henry, said during a recent interview on the Voice of the People… more
Belize’s Smart Goes Live with FTS’ Convergent Billing Solution
Belize – FTS, a global provider of billing solutions, today announced that Smart, a leading mobile operator in Belize, has successfully implemented FTS’ real-time billing and charging solution to support its expansion into 4G LTE as it offers innovative services to its customers… more
Internet too expensive, poor for gov’t project
British Virgin Islands – Junior Minister of Trade Marlon Penn said the British Virgin Islands intends to push the concept of ‘smart communities’, but there are a number of challenges, including the relatively high cost of internet that does not function as fast as is necessary… more
Lawyers playing Candy Crush in court
British Virgin Islands – While defending the ‘no cellular phone’ policy in the Magistrate’s Court, Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards today put attorneys on blast for being among the prime offenders… more
Claro launches 4.5G in Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic – Telco Claro has launched the first 4.5G network in the Dominican Republic. With download speeds of 390Mbps, the network is four times … more
Team STEMGuyana finishes 10th in first global robotics games
Guyana – Team STEMGuyana finished in 10th place after overcoming many hurdles in their battle against 164 other nations at the inaugural First Global Games, a robotics competition held in Washington, D.C, on Monday and Tuesday… more
Editorial | Shaw Should Welcome CARICOM ICT Initiative
Jamaica – Audley Shaw probably doesn’t travel much in the Caribbean, so he is unlikely, as a consumer, to be a personal beneficiary when, and if, it happens… more
Caribbean must strengthen its Internet infrastructure
Regional – The Caribbean will have to strengthen its Internet infrastructure if it is to keep pace with the world’s growing digital economy… more
Flow Sports Gives Viewers Anytime, Anywhere Access to 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games
Regional – aribbean viewers will have a front row seat to watch the best young athletes from the across the Commonwealth in action at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games, as Flow Sports, the Home of Sports in the Caribbean, airs 8 hours of live coverage each day, from July 19 to 23rd… more
C&W offers VSEP to workers
Trinidad and Tobago – C&W Communications, the parent company of Flow and C&W Business, has offered voluntary separation of employment packages to scores of workers… more
Thursday, 20 July 2017
Bahamas ‘Falls Too Far’: 129th On Cyber Security
Bahamas – The Deputy Prime Minister yesterday conceded that the Bahamas “continues to fall too far down the scale”, after this nation was ranked 129th out of 164 countries for its commitment and effectiveness in fighting cyber crime… more
Entrepreneur launches medical records app
Barbados – Barbadian entrepreneur Dale Trotman has launched an innovative app that he believes can revolutionize health records management, not only in Barbados but across the Caribbean… more
BTL to debut ‘Diginet’ FTTH service in San Pedro in August
Belize – Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) is expected to launch 100Mbps fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) services in San Pedro, on Ambergris Caye, next month… more
Huawei, BTL complete new Belize undersea cable system
Belize – Submarine network provider Huawei Marine Networks said it and Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) have completed their project to build an undersea cable system connecting Belize’s mainland with its largest island, Ambergris Caye… more
Jamaican promoted to Digicel’s top job in BVI
British Virgin Islands – Telecoms company Digicel today announced the promotion of Kevin Gordon to Chief Executive Officer of its operations in the British Virgin Islands effective immediately… more
BUSINESS BYTE: Say hello to Unlimited Rollover Data and Talk from Digicel
Dominica – With Digicel’s Unlimited Rollover Data and Talk, lost data and talk are a thing of the past… more
Robotics team hailed at airport
Guyana – First Lady, Sandra Granger, last evening said that the recent success by the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Guyana team at the 2017 First Robotics Global Challenge in Washington, D.C is a testimony of what investments, particularly by Government and the Private Sector in STEM education can yield for young Guyanese, a release from the Ministry of the Presidency said… more
Digicel launches Unlimited Rollover Data and Talk
Jamaica – With Digicel’s Unlimited Rollover Data and Talk, lost data and talk are a thing of the past… more
Jamaica ranks number one for cybersecurity in Caribbean
Jamaica – Jamaica’s efforts to boost cybersecurity have been given international recognition, according to the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology, after the country was ranked number one in the Caribbean on the Global Cybersecurity Index… more
Caribbean ICT/Telecommunications Ministers at CANTO 2017
Regional – The Ministerial round table saw a wide range of representation from throughout the region with ministers involved in the panel discussion including the Hon. Marlon Penn, Junior Minister, Trade and Investment Promotion, BVI; the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Jamaica; the Hon. Catherine Hughes, Ministry of Communications, Guyana; and the Hon. Darcy Boyce, Minister of State with responsibility for Telecom, Barbados… more
CARICOM takes Single ICT Space, HRD Strategy to UNESCO International Forum in China
Regional – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat participated and presented at the UNESCO International Forum on ICT and Education 2030, held in Quindao, China, July 11-12, 2017… more
Digicel introduces unlimited rollover data
Regional – Digicel yesterday announced the introduction of Unlimited Rollover Data and Talk… more
Digital Skills Needed for Caribbean to Stay Globally Competitive
Regional – The digital era is here to stay but many still lack the skills needed to get ahead in the Internet economy… more
High-tech justice
Regional – What happens when the head of the Caribbean’s highest court teams up with one of the region’s most respected technology minds? … more
Five Digicel Customers to See Bruno Mars Live in Concert in Chicago
Saint Lucia – Digicel has announced that five lucky customers will get a chance to jet off on a VIP experience to see Bruno Mars live in concert during his 24K Magic World Tour at the United Centre in Chicago on Saturday 19thAugust 2017 – thanks to its d’Music streaming app… more
TelEm Group reminding businesses to be on guard against PBX hackers.
Sint Maarten – TelEm Group is re-released a new public service brochure warning businesses to be on their guard against unscrupulous hackers who are breaking into company PBX systems and globally running up millions of dollars in international phone calls without the businesses becoming aware until they receive a bill weeks later… more
C&W Communications Moves to Cut Staff in T&T
Trinidad and Tobago – C&W Communications in Trinidad and Tobago is downsizing its operations… more
The state of ICT
Trinidad and Tobago – “The government is a bureaucracy. Bureaucracies have a way of doing things. To get change, it takes concerted effort. You need to be pushing and driving all the time… more
Start-up out to shake up e-commerce
Trinidad and Tobago – Paying for an online purchase by cash may seem a difficult proposition to grasp, but it’s not… more
Friday, 21 July 2017
Bahamas ‘Must Do More’to Combat Cyber Crime
Bahamas – The Bahamas must “recognise we’re not doing enough” to combat cyber criminals, the Chamber of Commerce’s chairman yesterday revealing the threat had given him several “wake-up calls”… more
Bahamas ranks on low on Cybersecurity Index
Bahamas – Of 164 countries, The Bahamas ranks 129th on the most recent Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) published by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and Deputy Prime Minister Peter K Turnquest has said the country continues to fall too far behind in this area of safety… more
BTC to launch new Bahamian App
Bahamas – BTC continues to make meaningful investments in the community. The company is now working along with Bahamian app developer Stephen Brown to create a game just for BTC… more
CJC Students Make Belize Proud
Belize – The Caribbean Organization of National Telecommunications Organizations (CANTO) held its third annual CANTO CODE 3.0 Virtual Hackathon which was launched on June 17thand ran through to the 25thwhere a team of three Belizean students from Corozal Junior College who go by the name LXJ Code placed first in the competition that required them to build a mobile application… more
Flow launches TV service
British Virgin Islands – Adding to the phone and internet services it already offers in the British Virgin Islands, telecoms provider Flow yesterday launched its television service, which is being dubbed Flow TV… more
Claro reiterates: We have Dominican Republic’s first 4.5G network
Dominican Republic – The telecom Claro on Thursday reiterated that it has the country’s first 4.5G network, capable of satisfying the future market’s demand for data, “in this era of hyperconnectivity and the Internet of Thing… more
At the World Regulators’ Symposium, CONATEL promotes its action plan
Haiti – The last Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-17), which was held in Nassau, Bahamas, ended last week with the theme “Living in a World of Digital Opportunities”… more
Big Chunk Of Social Media Users Are Unemployed Or Junior Workers
Jamaica – A new survey conducted on behalf of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) shows that a large proportion of social media users -34 per cent – are unemployed and only one per cent work at managerial level… more
O’Brien calls for revenue share among OTT operators, Gov’ts and telcos
Regional – As regional policy makers in the CALA region grapple with how to deal with the disruptive nature of the on-line digital services on tax revenues, Digicel’s Chairman, Denis O’Brien, impressed upon regulators the critical importance of creating a level playing field for all players in the digital world – including OTT operators, Governments and telecoms providers… more
Saturday, 22 July 2017
Barbadian launches Caribbean equivalent of Facebook
Barbados – Facebook, Twitter, and other social media websites have become a way of life for people all over the world over the last decade, but has anyone ever considered “localizing” them to suit the needs of their own section of the globe? … more
FLOW Foundation Gives 10 Computers To KPH
Jamaica – The FLOW Foundation yesterday donated 10 new computers to the island’s oldest medical facility, the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH)… more
Digicel Wants Telecoms To Get A Share Of Internet Revenues
Regional – Digicel’s Chairman, Denis O’Brien, wants telecoms operators to be given a share of revenues from advertising and over-the-top (OTT) services so they can fund broadband networks in developing countries… more
Students create mobile app to solve a transport problem
Sint Maarten – Some fifty students of various high and primary schools in St. Maarten completed a two-week science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)-based summer camp technology hackathon at National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA) in Cay Hill on Friday… more
Sunday, 23 July 2017
20% TAX ON CELLPHONES — Cellphone imports tariff reverts to 20%
Jamaica – Individuals importing cell phones into the island are once again feeling the pinch following the resumption of a 20 per cent tariff on cellphone imports since the start of the month… more
Cable & Wireless Testing 5G Mobile Speeds
Regional – Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC), operator of the Flow brand, started testing a fifth-generation or 5G mobile Internet network this month with the goal of a future roll-out across the region… more
Six awesome apps for use in your business
Regional – Online there are so many wonderful tools you can use in your business. Below I’ve listed six of my must-have apps, and most of them are FREE – whether they are tools for social media management, creating killer graphics easily, or simply organising your ideas…more
Image credit: Megan Trace (flickr); Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikipedia
_____________
