A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 9 April to Sunday 15 April 2018.
Monday, 9 April 2018
Aliv Near ‘End Game’ Over Network Roll-Out
Bahamas – ALIV says it is “close to the end game” on its network roll-out, its top executive expressing confidence the full build-out will be completed within the two-year target… more
BTC Approves 100 Voluntary Departures
Bahamas – THE Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) has approved just under 100 employee voluntary separation packages (VSEP), with a union chief suggesting it is due for a post-2011 privatisation ‘report card’… more
BTC Breaches ‘No Trivial’ Issue
Bahamas – REGULATORS have fined the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) almost $31,000 for violating pricing and consumer protection rules, rejecting its claim that the breaches were “trivial”… more
Block chain rules coming
Barbados– The block chain and cryptocurrency sectors that have been developing and gaining ground in Barbados with little Government involvement, could soon see regulations coming… more
Tech expert suggests way of boosting reserves
Barbados – A regional technology industry expert is suggesting that Barbados’ dwindling foreign exchange reserves could receive a much needed boost if the island were to increase its use of blockchain technology… more
Commission On Caribbean Communications Resilience Meets With FCC On Regional Network Resilience
Curaçao – Members of the Commission on Caribbean Communications Resilience (CCCR) met with United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) representatives on April 5 to discuss new ways to increase the resilience of regional communications infrastructure to extreme natural events… more
NSOs trained in data anonymization
Regional – OECS member states and the OECS Commission benefitted from a Data Dissemination Workshop held from March 19 – 23, at the Radisson Beach Resort in Grenada… more
Data Protection Act not proclaimed
Trinidad and Tobago –If the United National Congress campaign team did use personal information from public agencies to influence potential voters for the 2015 general election, they did not break the law under the Data Protection Act… more
Slaves to technology
Trinidad and Tobago – At the recent launch of its newest smart-phone, Samsung’s sales manager for Latin America and the Caribbean, Terry Weech, was asked what was the best feature of the Galaxy S9. Without hesitation, he said, “The camera!” He proceeded to promote the US $1,000-plus device’s 12- megapixel camera that captures photographs and videos that are “comparable with the quality used by media houses”, but said hardly a word about its communications prowess and other features that might propel me to hobble off to the nearest mobile phones dealer and buy one… more
Weech: Samsung’s TT market share top rated
Trinidad and Tobago – Terry Weech, Mobile Innovations Manager of Samsung, has said that he expects Samsung’s new models to do well in T&T… more
Unboxed: Samsung S9
Trinidad and Tobago – The Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ is now available in Trinidad and Tobago and is set to transform the way we communicate and share with the most advanced camera in the world, powerful speakers through AKG and a refined Infinity Display… more
Tuesday, 10 April 2018
BVI: Telecoms companies given until end of year to improve internet
British Virgin Islands – Local telecommunications providers have until the end of the year to at least start showing signs of improved internet service in the British Virgin Islands… more
Wednesday, 11 April 2018
Tech Hub Goal Will Take Years
Bahamas – Deficiencies ranging from energy costs to ‘business ease’ and data protection must be remedied if a Cabinet Minister is to achieve his dream of attracting 500 ‘high tech’ firms to the Bahamas… more
MARION E. LAMBEY CONTRIBUTES SOME BTL HISTORY
Belize – Dear Editor, I am a regular reader of your newspaper, and recently, I have read articles that delve into the history of the Belize Telecommunications Limited (BTL) as background information to try to analyze the present financial state of that organization… more
Public safety radio equipment on the way
Cayman Islands – The Cayman Islands is scheduled to take delivery this week of a new communication system for future disaster-related emergencies… more
Testing continues for new emergency radio comms
Cayman Islands – Government is moving ahead with plans to install a “cutting edge” communication system for the emergency services… more
Kingston Airbnb hosts earn US$2.4m in 2017
Jamaica– Some 910 Airbnb hosts in Kingston, Jamaica earned a collective US$2.4 million from the digital home sharing site in 2017, according to Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett… more
Caribbean girls to ‘hack’ for a safer future
Regional – Over 800 girls across five Caribbean nations will come together on 26 April for an immersive experience in technology to mark the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Girls in ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Day… more
Caribbean Nations Introduce Crypto Payments in the Travel Industry
Regional – The Caribbean Tourism Organization is going to introduce cryptocurrency payments for tourism services and products offered in the region… more
Intellectual property at risk
Trinidad and Tobago – Intellectual property is often overlooked by business operators but its importance cannot be overstated… more
Pay maintenance online
Trinidad and Tobago – PARENTS who have been ordered by the court to pay child maintenance fees can now do so online…. more
Scotia leads the way
Trinidad and Tobago – Four years ago, Scotiabank opened its Operations and Shared Services Company at Ramsaran Park, Chaguanas… more
Thursday, 12 April 2018
Blockchain summit coming to Cayman next month
Cayman Islands – The Arizona-based World Tokenomic Forum LLC is holding a blockchain summit in the Cayman Islands from May 8-10 at the Marriott Beach Resort… more
Privacy protection takes world stage, little noticed in Cayman
Cayman Islands – The issue of personal data protection took center stage in Washington D.C. this week as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg tried to explain to Congress how information belonging to 87 million social media users was improperly shared with a company now accused of attempting to influence U.S. elections via the use of some of that data… more
Jamaican Telecoms Market Report 2018: Analysis & Forecasts (2005-2025): Analyzes Market Trends, Drivers and Challenges
Jamaica – The “2018 Jamaica Telecom Market Analysis and Outlook Report” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering…more
Symbiote asks gov’t to reconsider decision to revoke its licences
Jamaica – Symbiote Investments Limited, which trades as Caricel, has asked the Government of Jamaica to reconsider its decision to revoke its telecommunications licences… more
Embracing technology is key for tomorrow’s jobs in LatAm, Caribbean
Regional – New technologies provide a pathway to poverty reduction and could usher in a wave of higher productivity and growth across Latin America and the Caribbean, according to a new World Bank report… more
Go digital for loans
Trinidad and Tobago – Medical emergencies and unexpected expenses are two of the most common reasons why people seek loans from their employer or a third-party financial institution… more
Radio company pleads guilty, fined
Trinidad and Tobago – The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) yesterday described as “yet another victory in the courts” the fact that Radio Vision Ltd pleaded guilty to two offences related to breaches of the Telecommunications Act last week Thursday… more
Tech firms get $3.2m to develop economy
Trinidad and Tobago – Six organisations from the information technology-enabled services sector have been awarded a total of $3.2 million to undertake projects aimed at developing Trinidad and Tobago’s economy… more
Friday, 13 April 2018
Western Union launches Mobile App in the Bahamas
Bahamas – Aligned to its digital expansion strategy, Western Union, a leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement, today announced it has launched the Western Union® mobile app in the Bahamas, bringing a new level of convenience to consumers who prefer to use cash to fund money transfers… more
Cybercrime in spotlight
Curaçao – More than 150 people from all over the region participated in Wednesday’s Caribbean Cybercrime Conference in Curaçao… more
Non-compliant broadcasters begin settling accounts after being identified by GNBA
Guyana – The response to an ad by the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) for 12 broadcasters, including the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN), to make urgent contact because they failed to stick to the agreement on how they will pay over $100 million owed for broadcast rights, has been “heartening,” board chairman Leslie Sobers has said… more
Blockchain technology serving agribusiness
Haiti– Thursday as part of the 8th International Summit on Finance, Jean Baden Dubois, Governor of the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH) exposed the Bank’s monetary policy and Blockchain technology… more
AI no threat to BPO sector — Epstein
Jamaica – Immediate past president of the Business Process Industry Association of Jamaica (BPIAJ) Yoni Epstein has sought to allay fears that the emergence of artificial intelligence will be detrimental to the sector… more
BPO Attracting Top Professionals – Malahoo Forte
Jamaica – Attorney General, Marlene Malahoo Forte, says business process outsourcing (BPO) is growing in leaps and bounds and is attracting some of the top professionals in the country… more
Girls in ICT : Juleen Gentles takes to technology from an early age
Jamaica – Raised by a tech savvy father, Juleen Gentles has been exposed to technology from an early age… more
Telecoms Company Asks Jamaica Government To Reconsider Revocation of Licence
Jamaica – Days after the Jamaica Government revoked the licence issued to telecommunications firm, Symbiote Investments, which operates as Caricel Jamaica, the company is asking it to reconsider… more
Shared Services Sector Making a Major Impact – PIOJ Head
Jamaica – Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) Director General, Dr. Wayne Henry, says the global shared services (GSS) sector, of which business process outsourcing (BPO) is a part, is a key pillar in the country’s economic growth and diversification strategy… more
Thanks For Restoring My Service, Digicel
Jamaica – THE EDITOR, Sir: Subsequent to my letter published in The Gleaner of Tuesday, April 10, 2018, I received a call from Sherene McPherson, a supervisor at Digicel… more
Bondholders in Denis O’Brien’s Digicel seek reassurance after rough ride
Regional – For bondholders in Irish billionaire Denis O’Brien’s mobile empire, it has been a roller coaster few months. Now, they’re looking for reassurance that the rough ride is almost over… more
Flow Supporting TopUp Vendors
Saint Lucia – Smartphone users on the Flow network already enjoy the best rates in Saint Lucia for data, text and voice, in addition to flexible combo plans, inclusive of roll-over data on the island’s fastest and most reliable network… more
Saturday, 14 April 2018
Editorial: Internet … necessary for life
Antigua and Barbuda – We typically get in trouble for criticising the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA). Defenders cloak themselves in the garb of patriotic protectionism and shield the company from anyone who dares say anything that is deemed negative… more
Scotiabank launches 50th anniversary, gives UG $2M for Smart Classroom
Guyana – As part of its 50th anniversary, Scotiabank Guyana has donated $2M to the Faculty of Natural Science, University of Guyana, to commission a smart classroom… more
Use of ATMs in Guyana constrained by interoperability-Report
Guyana – There are only 21 Automated Teller Machines and 159 Point Of Sale (POS) devices for every 100,000 adults in Guyana. And apart from Visa co-branded cards, neither the ATMs nor the POSs are interoperable… more
BPO Earnings Could Reach US$750 Million by 2020
Jamaica – Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, says the local business process outsourcing sector (BPO), which is valued at more than US$400 million, continues to grow exponentially, and could reach US$750 million by 2020… more
Digicel Promises Hi-Tech Experience At Expo Jamaica
Jamaica – Expo Jamaica 2018 title sponsors Digicel are promising a high-tech experience for the approximately 20,000 patrons expected to converge on the National Arena and National Indoor Sports Centre for the four days of the highly anticipated manufacturers’ showpiece event on April 19-22… more
Managers Wanted – JAMPRO Head Says Local BPO Sector Needs More Mid-Level Personnel
Jamaica – Diane Edwards, president of Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) has pointed to the lack of trained personnel to fill slots in middle and upper management as a major threat to the continued growth of the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector… more
Digicel sets out to woo investors with roadshow
Regional – For bondholders in Irish billionaire Denis O’Brien’s mobile-phone empire, it’s been a rollercoaster few months. Now, they’re looking for reassurance that the rough ride is almost over… more
More than 700,000 viewed FLOW Carifta Games
Regional – More than 700,000 customers across 21 countries in the Caribbean and The Bahamas got their fill of the athletics action — live and direct — as FLOW delivered unprecedented in-home and on-the-go access to the 2018 FLOW Carifta Games; increasing its 2017 viewership numbers by a whopping 25 per cent…more
Zuckerberg’s world
Regional – I may be in a minority of one but I feel that Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, has been made a bobolee of this week because most of us don’t really understand anything at all about the intellectual and technological world in which he lives and works… more
Laptop Diplomacy and Long-Term Results
Saint Lucia – Laptop Diplomacy is a buzzword often bandied about in diplomatic circles. It’s also an issue particularly near and dear to our Saint Lucia… more
Saint Lucia bets on blockchain!
Saint Lucia– At an intimate gathering convened earlier this week by the Ministry of Finance and Big Four accounting firm Ernst & Young, I joined a group of local bankers, lawyers, and financiers for an informative one-day seminar devoted entirely to blockchain—the underlying technology used to power cryptocurrencies like bitcoin—and its potentially broader commercial applications promised to ‘up- end’ entrenched industries… more
Sunday, 15 April 2018
Coding course launched to encourage more girls in ICT field
Guyana – Over 40 young girls will over the next 12 weekends undergo training in coding as part of an initiative to encourage and nurture their participation in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) field… more
Cryptocurrency hedge fund manager for Destination Experience
Jamaica – Jamaican attendees of the upcoming Destination Experience Visionaries Summit will get to interact and listen to superstar hedge fund manger John Burbank… more
CCTV Surveillance Programme Gets Private Sector Support
Jamaica – The national closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance programme, geared at improving public safety and security, is receiving strong support from members of the private sector, who believe that the initiative will make an impact on crime in the country… more
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