A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 14 May to Sunday 20 May 2018.
Monday, 14 May 2018
Ministry of Education to engage with APUA regarding internet connection in schools
Antigua and Barbuda – The effort to ensure that public secondary schools in Antigua have adequate Internet service has been undertaken, as the Ministry of Education plans a meeting with the supplier… more
Blackouts from GPL, a failed promise from GTT
Guyana – Dear Editor,Two Sundays ago I had some guests from Trinidad at my church. I observed very early we had a severe blackout on the East Coast Demerara… more
GTT demands spectrum as part of liberalization deal
Guyana– Last Friday marked three years since the coalition Government was elected on campaign promises that included the liberalization of the telecommunications sector… more
Hughes slams opponents of Cybercrime Bill
Guyana – Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes vehemently criticized civil society groups and the political Opposition, which have strongly condemned Government’s push to include the sedition offence as part of the Cybercrime Bill (2016)… more
Creative And IT Industries The Main Interest For Entrepreneurs – JBDC
Jamaica – While production and manufacturing are still major areas of interest, the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) has found that many budding entrepreneurs are more interested in the creative and information technology (IT) industries… more
Jamaican students to soon do some CXC examinations online
Jamaica – As the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) continues to embrace technology, the Government has announced that Jamaican students sitting CXCs will soon be required to take some aspects of their examinations online… more
Susanna O’Sullivan – Making IT Work For Telecommunications
Jamaica – “Technology was always a part of who I am. Coming from a family of engineers, I couldn’t get around that.” Senior Director of IT Service, Assurance and Deployment at FLOW Jamaica, Susanna O’Sullivan, made her family proud by following in their footsteps, but still managed to pave her own path, using her expertise to bridge the generational gaps. Flair caught up with the tech queen recently and she shared her journey with us… more
OECS/USAID Early Learners Programme undertakes pilot study on virtual coaching method
Regional – OECS Member States participating in the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) supported Early Learners Programme (ELP) have embarked on a pilot study to determine if virtual coaching is a viable support to in-person professional development for teachers in implementing schools… more
Flow SPLT20 launches new app
Regional – Organizers of the FLOW SPL T20 have made it easier for fans to be part of the most exciting domestic cricket league, by launching the SPL T20 APP… more
Bitt Inc. slams Finance Minister’s attack on economist
Trinidad and Tobago – Chairman of Bitt Inc., Peter George, is labelling as “completely misleading”, statements made by Finance Minister Colm Imbert who slammed five of this country’s economists just before the passing of the mid-year budget review in the House of Representatives on May 11… more
Tuesday, 15 May 2018
Cayman’s offshore rivals target crypto market
Cayman Islands – As the global cryptocurrency sector heats up, job creating international investment is seeking out suitable jurisdictions and Cayman Islands’ offshore rivals are looking to steal a march on this growth by introducing crypto-friendly laws and legislation, with Bermuda in pole position…more
European data protection law to affect Cayman businesses
Cayman Islands – The introduction of Cayman’s Data Protection Law will come in effect in January 2019, but local businesses and organizations need to be aware of a corresponding legislation coming out of Europe that is likely to impact them as early as this month… more
Fireminds launches Cayman Cloud with Logic Communications
Cayman Islands – Logic Communications and Fireminds announced the launch of the Fireminds Data Centre in Cayman… more
Dominican Republic suspends AWS spectrum tender
Dominican Republic – The Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel) has suspended a tender for a 30MHz block of spectrum in the 1700-2100MHz (AWS) band following a complaint from Servicios Ampliados de Telefonos (Satel)… more
Frustrated with GTT at Bartica
Guyana– Dear Editor,Frustration with the attitude of the GTT technicians and their supervisor in the way they handled my complaints caused me to write this letter… more
Telecoms liberalisation talks… Govt. under pressure to auction frequencies
Guyana – Disclosures that US-controlled Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) is using spectrum as a bargaining chip in the ongoing telecoms liberalization talks is creating unease… more
George Davis | Will Robots Eat BPO Supper?
Jamaica – Successive governments have bet our job creation future on the continued growth of the business process outsourcing, BPO industry. BPO has already proven itself to be a winner, ranking as Jamaica’s leading job-creating industry over at least the past eight years… more
Two apps to make transitioning to 10-digit dialling easier
Jamaica – With a new area code fast approaching, Jamaicans have been urged to prepare for compulsory ten-digit-dialling starting May 31… more
C’bean urged to strengthen cyber security
Regional– Caribbean countries have been urged to strengthen their cyber security, more so in light of the recent introduction by the European Union of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) cyber security legislation… more
Wednesday, 16 May 2018
Cable Bahamas Inleadership Change
Bahamas – Cable Bahamas is undergoing a leadership transition, with Anthony Butler set to retire as chief executive and be replaced by Bahamian businessman Franklyn Butler II… more
GOB loses another multi million dollar case
Belize – The Government of Belize lost yet another case at the Supreme Court, costing the people of Belize $20 million. Sunshine Limited , a company owned by the government, sued GOB, Dean Boyce and the Belize Telemedia Employee’s Trust. Justice Courtenay Able heard the case and on Friday gave his judgment… more
PM Powerless To Stop Rise In Cable Bills
Belize – And while future price shocks are expected for fuel – your cable bill may also shock you next month… more
Flow rebuilding Stronger & Better post hurricane Maria
Dominica – Dominica’s premier telecommunications provider Flow is on course to revolutionise the telecommunications industry with the roll-out of superfast broadband referred to as Fibre to the Home (FTTH), 4G LTE, and the introduction of a superior IP-TV product in the not too distant future… more
Activists picket Public Security Ministry on Cyber Crime Bill
Guyana– Two persons picketed the Ministry of Public Security yesterday to send a clear message to Minister Khemraj Ramjattan of their displeasure with a particular aspect of the proposed Cyber Crime Bill… more
NOTICE : Opening of applications to participate in Haiti Tech Summit 2018
Haiti – The United States Embassy in Haiti announces its sponsorship of the 2018 Haiti Tech Summit, June 21 – 23, 2018… more
Briefing | Block Technology, The Solution To SMEs Growth In The Caribbean
Jamaica – Compete Caribbean and the London School of Economics (LSE) have partnered on a research project looking at how blockchain technology can assist small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) across the Caribbean to increase access to capital… more
Free Wi-Fi to make New Kingston J’ca’s first ‘smart city’ – Wheatley
Jamaica – Science and Technology Minister Dr Andrew Wheatley is promising Jamaicans more free public access to Wi-Fi this year, with the business district of New Kingston set to become the country’s first ‘smart city’… more
Hon. Andrew Wheatley to receive 2018 Technology Leadership Award
Jamaica – Jamaica’s Minister of Science, Energy & Technology Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley will receive the Inaugural 2018 Technology Leadership Award from Jamaica College Old Boys Association of New York(JCOBA-NY) for his achievement as a scientist, innovator and policy leader… more
Kelley Reid | Lifting The Veil On Cryptocurrency
Jamaica – Cryptocurrencies have dominated the conversations in the financial world just as much as the ‘bear bond market ending’ and ‘Brexit’. For those of us who are unsure about what the term cryptocurrencies means, let’s break down a few points about this digital currency… more
Tech Limited Releases FileNexus the superior Document Management System
Jamaica – Tech limited, which provides world class fully managed IT services, recently announced their partnership with Loris Technologies. The partnership introduces to the market a new Document Management System called FileNex… more
Technology to improve healthcare delivery — Wheatley
Jamaica – In the next couple of weeks the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology will be launching a pilot initiative that will enhance healthcare delivery across the island through the use of technology… more
Wheatley to seek Cabinet’s approval for Cyber Academy
Jamaica – Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr Andrew Wheatley, is to seek Cabinet’s approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and Israel Aerospace Industries, to facilitate the creation of the region’s first Cyber Academy… more
Region Urged to Boost Cyber Security As EU Legislation Comes on Stream
Regional – An appeal has gone out to Barbados and the region to strengthen their cyber security, especially in light of the recent introduction of the cyber security legislation, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), by the European Union… more
Thursday, 17 May 2018
Aliv Assists Electronic Data Protection Talks
Bahamas – Aliv yesterday detailed ways Bahamians can protect their electronic data as it participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by the Data Protection Commissioner’s office… more
Cable going up
Belize – For years, from in the late ‘80s cable operators have been pirating signals from the US allowing Belizeans to enjoy almost 200 channels of various television channels… more
Cable Price Going Up Too In Belize!!!
Belize – You read that correctly, cable price is going up as well! Cable providers countrywide are advising their customers that there will be an increase in cable price effective June 1, 2018…more
Increase of cable bill was inevitable
Belize – Your next month’s cable bill will be an additional thirty percent higher… more
PM says BTL agreement “might have been far more tightly drawn so that the objective that I sought to achieve”
Belize – The nationalization of Belize Telemedia Limited came at a hefty price and that’s not including the millions of dollars in litigation fees… more
Sunshine fails to get back 114 million from Ashcroft
Belize – Sunshine Holdings, the Government controlled company acquired from the Ashcroft Alliance during the fight over the ownership of BTL, has lost its lawsuit against the Alliance. Justice Courtney Abel has ruled that they will not get any of the 114 million dollars they were trying to get from the Alliance… more
‘Authorities’ told us not to rebuild yet, says Cable TV
British Virgin Islands – Several ‘road bumps’ are said to be major factors delaying the progress of residents receiving traditional cable television, since the 2017 hurricanes damaged most of the territory’s infrastructure… more
Cabinet to Receive Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Shortly
Jamaica – Science, Energy and Technology Minister, Hon. Andrew Wheatley, says the proposed National Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) Policy will go to Cabinet shortly… more
Data Protection Act could have ‘chilling effect’ on journalists, says RSF
Jamaica – MEDIA advocacy group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is calling for Jamaica’s proposed Data Protection Act to be amended to include an explicit blanket exemption for journalists… more
Wi-Fi hotspots coming to more public spaces
Jamaica – Technology Minister Dr. Andrew Wheatley has said more Wi-Fi hotspots will be created in public spaces… more
Spike in Cyber Attacks on Regional Companies and Organizations
Regional– With cyber attacks on the rise across the Caribbean, Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Israel Centre for Cyber Defense (CICCD), Andre Thomas, has recommended that authorities in Barbados and the region make provision for enhanced legislation and law enforcement capacity, to counter the issue… more
Cybercrime bill can criminalise software users
Trinidad and Tobago – THE CYBERCRIME bill has the potential to criminalise software users and lead to a suppression of free speech, said Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society director Jacqueline Morris… more
Improving efficiency
Trinidad and Tobago – When a regional corporation’s 2006 financial accounts are presented to Parliament 12 years later, in 2018, there’s clearly a need for improved efficiency… more
Friday, 18 May 2018
Connolly: Develop and export technology
Barbados – Apparently, Barbados has another commodity it can export. George Connolly believes the country can provide the world with software solutions and apps once government helps with the development of Barbados’ technological companies… more
NEW DATA PROTECTION LAW AIMS TO HELP WITH PRIVACY
Cayman Islands –Upcoming Data Protection laws in Cayman Islands aims to put more control in your hands on the information you give to third parties…more
Guyana to reconsider Cyber Crime Bill
Guyana – The Guyana government Wednesday signalled its intention to review the controversial Cyber Crime Bill before it is debated in the National Assembly.. more
150,000 Digicel prepaid customers to get free data
Jamaica – Digicel is giving away 150,000 gigabytes of data for 150,000 lucky prepaid customers to enjoy superfast LTE speeds… more
Digicel embraces artificial intelligence as a force for good
Regional – Today on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) being commemorated under the theme, “Enabling the positive use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for all”, Digicel is affirming its commitment to using the futuristic technology for the benefit of all… more
Balca mom wins big with Flow
Saint Lucia – A young mother of Balca, Saltibus got the surprise of her life this week, as she was presented with a $13,000.00 Smart Home Technology Bundle from Flow… more
Grace residents welcome high speed internet, HD TV
Saint Lucia – Residents of Grace are being introduced to high-speed internet and high-definition TV, as a major technology exercise is underway in that community… more
Government eyes cyber security for economic transformation
Trinidad and Tobago – Imagine your tax information, personal data from your passport, ID card, driver’s licence and even your credit card being 80% or even 90% secure, and not 100%… more
Saturday, 19 May 2018
Cybercrime bill for Cabinet review
Guyana – The Cybercrime Bill will be taken back to Cabinet for review, according to Attorney General Basil Williams, who has maintained that the controversial sedition clause in the proposed legislation is needed for Guyana to “protect itself”… more
FLOW Restores Cable Service
Jamaica – THE EDITOR, Sir: We write in response to the letter to the editor titled ‘While we wait on FLOW’ published in your newspaper on May 10, 2018… more
Outages in Puerto Rico Still Hurting Liberty Latin America Ltd.
Regional – Telecommunications and broadband provider Liberty Latin America Ltd. (NASDAQ:LILAK) is still dealing with outages in its Puerto Rico operations caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017… more
Opportunities in cyber security
Trinidad and Tobago – CYBERSECURITY can be a tool for national development. This idea is being promoted by the Planning and Development Ministry through its partnership with Check Point Software in the Global Services Promotion Programme (GSPP)… more
Sunday, 20 May 2018
GTT Launches More to love Campaign
Guyana – The past year has been quite an exciting one for GTT and its customers as the company continues to roll out new products, services and promotions… more
The Road Ahead for eGov in the Caribbean
Regional– In 2018 the digitisation experienced across our daily life is immense… more
NAGICO completes claim settlement with TelEm Group.
Sint Maarten – NAGICO Insurances and the TelEm Group of Companies are pleased to announce that they have reached settlement in relation to the telecommunication company’s submitted claim following the passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria last September… more
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