A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 8 October to Sunday 14 October 2018.
Monday, 8 October 2018
Barbados: Crypto-Caribbean: The World’s Most Idyllic Blockchain Sandbox
Barbados – The concept of a financial or technology sandbox, popularized over the last decade, is gaining sway around the world, particularly as regulators try to put cryptocurrency, blockchain and technology genies back in the bottle and under observation (perhaps even starving them of oxygen)… more
Cambridge Analytica chief called Barbados leader N-word: Report
Barbados – The former chief of Cambridge Analytica – a controversial elections consultancy – has used a highly offensive racial slur to describe the prime minister of Barbados, according to leaked emails cited by The Guardian… more
Broadcasting Authority to begin accepting complaints on offensive content
Guyana – Very soon, the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) will begin taking in complaints from the public on offensive content that is broadcast on television, radio and cable, according to the entity’s Chairman, Leslie Sobers, who said that attention will also be given to the far-flung areas… more
GTT did not threaten legal action to force disconnection of Digicel’s Suriname data link- Nedd
Guyana – The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has denied any involvement in recent actions by the Surinamese telecoms authority to pull the data sharing service that was being provided to its competitor, Digicel Guyana…more
Itelbpo’s super agents: Blending people with technology
Jamaica – Business process outsourcing (BPO) firm, Itelbpo, will be infusing its customer service operation with technology to ultimately improve financial value and efficiency to its clients… more
Tech innovations to impact criminal recognition, access to electricity
Jamaica – UNIVERSITIES in Jamaica are innovating robots to clean up Kingston Harbour, facial recognition technology to combat crime, earthquake risk software for hazard prevention, and a legitimate electrical outlet for individuals off the national grid, Social Good Summit 2018 patrons learned last week Monday… more
Puerto Rico Takes New Digital Steps to Enhance Tourism Efforts
Puerto Rico– In recent months, Puerto Rico has taken visible steps to regain its footing after Hurricane Maria and a debt crisis had halted its tourism momentum… more
Job cuts hover over TSTT
Trinidad and Tobago – As many as 2,000 workers could be facing the axe as the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) rebrands itself into the TSTT Group of Companies by November 1… more
TSTT denies job cuts, contradicts own boss
Trinidad and Tobago – There are two very different opinions coming out of the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) meeting with its senior managers at the Hyatt Regency, Port-of-Spain, last Friday… more
Tuesday, 9 October 2018
GTT has capacity to support Digicel customers until connectivity issues resolved -Nedd
Guyana – Following the recent service disruptions experienced by Digicel’s data subscribers, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) yesterday said it has the capacity to support the affected users on the rival network until the situation is resolved… more
Digicel completing LTE network deployment in St Lucia
Saint Lucia – Telecommunication and entertainment company Digicel has announced it will very soon complete the final phases of its major mobile network upgrade… more
TSTT denies reports of massive job cuts
Trinidad and Tobago – Amid expected job losses with the looming shutdown of the Petrotrin refinery, the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) has denied a newspaper report claiming that that the company is embarking on a massive retrenchment exercise… more
Wednesday, 10 October 2018
Payment Provider Touts Licensing First
Bahamas – An electronic payment solutions provider yesterday said it had become the first entity licensed under new Central Bank of The Bahamas regulations that took effect last July… more
URCA In Southern Family Island Tour
Bahamas – The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) has expanded its consumer education and outreach to the southern Family Islands with visits to Acklins, Crooked Island and Long Cay… more
50,000 participants and counting
Barbados– Within the next few months, Barbados will be well on its way to becoming a “smart society” as more Barbadians gain access to Information and Communications Technology (ICT)… more
‘MAKE STRONGER LAWS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA!’
Barbados– More meaningful and potent legislation is required in this country to regulate the use of social media… more
BVI expects crypto assets to provide growth tailwind
British Virgin Islands – When Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm, struck the BVI on Wednesday, 6th September 2017, it had a devastating impact, wiping out critical infrastructure and denying inhabitants any electricity supplies for six months… more
BVI to take ‘Goldilocks’ approach for regulating crypto assets
British Virgin Islands – “I would say every day I get two or three inquiries on some crypto or blockchain-related project. There is a lot of interest in all things crypto here in the BVI,” observes Michael Killourhy, Partner at Ogier (BVI)… more
BUSINESS BYTE: Flow Evo puts customers in control
Dominica – Flow customers in Dominica now have complete control over their TV experience with the launch of Flow’s new digital entertainment platform – Flow Evo… more
Phone companies grapple for mobile internet control
Guyana – It is a business that involves tens of millions of United States dollars. The sale of data to customers especially on mobile phones is big business. For them, the lower the costs for phone operators, the bigger the profits… more
Jamaica Stock Exchange nominates Canadian FinTech firm to facilitate crypto stock exchange
Jamaica – The Jamaica Stock Exchange announced on August 14 that it had selected Blockstation, a Toronto-based fintech company, to enable investors to trade blockchain tokens within a secure regulatory framework… more
Trinidad: Telecommunication company denies plans to dismiss thousands of workers
Trinidad and Tobago – The state-owned Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) has denied reports that it intends to dismiss thousands of workers as part of a restructuring exercise… more
Thursday, 11 October 2018
Govt Taking ‘Significant Steps’ On Tech Hub
Bahamas – THE Government has taken “significant steps” towards making its “technology hub” ambitions a reality, a Cabinet minister said yesterday in unveiling the second Grand Bahama Technology Summit… more
Belize hosts OCCUR’s conference
Belize – Belize is hosting the sixteenth annual OOCUR conference, which is being attended by regulators from across the Caribbean… more
Digicel goes to court over ‘microwave link’ shut down by Suriname
Guyana – DIGICEL has taken legal action against the Telecommunications Authority Suriname (TSA) for shutting down an alleged illegal “microwave link” which Digicel used to feed data capacity to its unit in Guyana… more
Industry Stakeholders Join Forces In Internet Week Trinidad And Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago– The Internet landscape of the Caribbean is small but relatively complex, nascent but constantly evolving. No single organisation holds the responsibility for promoting the growth of an open, stable, strong, affordable and resilient Caribbean Internet; that is a role shared by several… more
FORMER DIGICEL AND CABLE & WIRELESS EXECUTIVE TO LEAD VIYA EFFECTIVE NOV. 5
United States Virgin Islands – Alvaro Pillar, who was the chief executive officer of Viya when it transitioned from Innovative, and who led the telecommunications firm through the difficult months following Hurricanes Irma and Maria, has been replaced by Geraldine Pitt, a telecommunications veteran who has worked for the top firms in the Caribbean… more
Friday, 12 October 2018
The Future Is Now For Grand Bahama Technology Summit
Bahamas – THE second Grand Bahama Technology Summit is slated for November 14-16 in Freeport when worldwide technology giant Cisco Systems will return as one of the key partners of the event… more
STEM Guyana seeking diaspora, private sector support for new “Reading and Robotics” initiative
Guyana – STEM Guyana and its partners have launched a nationwide Reading and Robotics programme in order encourage students to read more, while creating opportunities for them to learn about robotics, coding and Mathematics, and Chairperson of STEM Guyana Karen Abrams has said that support from the diaspora and the business community will be critical for its success… more
Gov’t embarks on telemedicine pilot project
Jamaica– The Government has embarked on a Telemedicine pilot project for people in remote areas of the island to access medical specialists at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), in conjunction with a major telecommunications provider… more
UTech, Ja. Students Awarded Huawei “Seeds for The Future” Scholarships to Visit China
Jamaica – Five outstanding University of Technology, Jamaica students were presented with the prestigious Huawei Technologies Limited “Seeds for the Future 2018” Scholarship Award at a presentation ceremony and send-off farewell held on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel… more
Flow TV Adds Asian Pack
Regional – Flow Digital TV customers across Saint Lucia now have additional entertainment options for their enjoyment, with the addition of the Asian Pack to the flow TV lineup… more
Flow welcomes Mobile Number Portability
Saint Lucia – Saint Lucia’s leading telecommunications provider, Flow, welcomes the implementation of Mobile Number Portability in Saint Lucia, stating that the new feature will be beneficial for all customers… more
CWU plans protest over TSTT job cuts
Trinidad and Tobago – The Communications Workers Union (CWU) is holding a candlelight vigil outside the Telecommunications Services of T&T’s head office on Edward Street, Port-of-Spain, this evening to counteract what it says is the “dark cloud” now hanging over the company… more
TSTT stopped from fibre move to Amplia
Trinidad and Tobago – The Industrial Court has granted an injunction against the Telecommunication Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT), barring it from transferring its fibre operations to Amplia… more
Saturday, 13 October 2018
Second Annual GB Technology Summit officially launched
Bahamas– Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator Kwasi Thompson, one of the pioneers of the Grand Bahama Technology Summit, said during the second such summit, focus will be on showcasing education programs and highlighting the efforts and achievements of government and the Grand Bahama Technology Hub Steering Committee over the last year… more
Haiti – ALERT : Risk of WhatsApp hacking
Haiti– The Monitoring Center of the Digital Observatory in Haiti (OBNH) was informed on October 12 of the existence of a significant security breach, concerning WhatsApp, the multiplatform instant messaging application of more than 1 billion of person every day… more
Tertiary institutions must invest more in robotics, says security minister
Jamaica – Minister of National Security, Dr Horace Chang, says tertiary institutions must contribute to nation-building by investing more research funds in the fields of robotics and artificial intelligence… more
CWU blocks TSTT restructuring
Trinidad and Tobago – The Telecommunications Services of T&T (TSTT) has been barred from shifting its residential fibre optic communication service to its recently acquired subsidiary, Amplia, on Monday… more
Is social media addiction out of control?
Trinidad and Tobago – o my headline is a topic that can be discussed or argued from now until thy kingdom come… more
Sunday, 14 October 2018
BPO training now available at Trench Town Polytechnic College
Jamaica– Opportunities for certification in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) training are now available at the Trench Town Polytechnic College (TTPC), in St Andrew… more
Robotics — finding a niche in Jamaica’s education system
Jamaica– There is a robust revolution about to sweep across the local education landscape, and parents had better take heed: The robotic invasion is already in gear… more
Tech Company Launches Property Search App Keez
Jamaica – Tech start-up SiFi Studios Jamaica Limited has developed a mobile app that allows real estate agents to list properties on a platform called Keez… more
Think before you click! Human trafficking and the Internet
Jamaica – The Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team (Ja-CIRT) in the Ministry of Science and Technology is currently observing its third national Cybersecurity Awareness Month… more
Image credits: Bernard Goldbach (flickr); Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Brands of the World; Flow; Wikipedia
