A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 24 September to Sunday 30 September 2018.
Monday, 24 September 2018
Guyana gets US$36.5M China loan for broadband boost
Guyana– Guyana and China yesterday signed a framework agreement under which Beijing will fund the extension of the Guyana National Broadband Project on a RMB 250 million (US$36.46 million) concessionary loan, and an economic and technical cooperation pact for RMB 100 million (US$14.58 million) grant aid… more
STEMGuyana signs pact to bring international robot competition to Guyana
Guyana– On September 19, 2018, STEMGuyana signed a pact with the International Youth Robot (IYR) Association to be the prequalifying body for organizing the annual qualifier national robot competition among Guyanese primary and secondary school-aged student-teams to represent Guyana at the International Youth Robotics Competition… more
How IBM and Plastic Bank Are Using Blockchain to Boost Recycling in Haiti
Haiti– The blockchain is helping clean up the oceans. That’s thanks to the efforts of Plastic Bank, a non-profit that pays people in developing countries for handing over recyclable plastic using a cryptocurrency-like token system… more
Local Number Portability (LNP) services to be launched in ECTEL member states
Regional– The Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) is pleased to announce that Local Number Portability (LNP) services will be launched in all ECTEL Member States on Monday, 19th November 2018… more
Tuesday, 25 September 2018
‘Tech Hub’ Booster Expands To Nassau
Bahamas – The firm that gave the Government’s “technology hub” ambitions a major boost is expanding its Bahamian presence through opening a satellite office in Nassau by early December… more
BSE to begin crypto-trading
Barbados – The Barbados Stock Exchange (BSE) is to join the blockchain revolution by soon opening up a market for crypto-assets, BSE Managing Director Marlon Yarde has revealed… more
eShore steps up cybersecurity presence with hire
Cayman Islands – Stephen Dawson has joined eShore as a technical account manager. With a background in cybersecurity, he will be offering IT solutions to the Caribbean and wider Latin American markets to help businesses understand where potential threats can come from… more
Digicel subsidiaries extend early tender for Exchange Offers
Regional – Digicel Group announced on Monday that two of its subsidiaries are extending the early tender and expiration dates of each of their previously announced Exchange Offers with respect to certain series of the group’s outstanding senior notes… more
ECTEL announces availability of LPN service
Regional – Consumers in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) who wish to change their cellular phone service provider but keep their telephone number will soon be able to do this… more
Rise of Cyber Crimes in SVG highlighted at Insurance Institute Seminar
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines– Cyber Crime was on the menu when members of the Insurance Institute of SVG met for their September Seminar on Wednesday September 12 at De Salad Shop in the Kingstown Cruise Terminal… more
Google to join LACNIC for Internet Week workshops
Trinidad and Tobago – Google will be in Port-of-Spain next week when the Latin American and Caribbean Internet Registry (LACNIC) recognises Internet Week with a series of workshops… more
Tech start-up brings innovation to farming
Trinidad and Tobago – NOVO Farms, a one-year-old local, agri-tech startup organic farm, has been able to successfully grow foreign crops using its farming innovation… more
Wednesday, 26 September 2018
New Broadcast Authority board appointed
Barbados– A new board has been appointed to the Barbados Broadcast Authority… more
Digicel Extends Refinancing Offer As Bondholders Revolt
Jamaica– Digicel Group was huddling with its creditors on Tuesday after they summarily rejected a plan to swap out US$3 billion of the telecom’s bond for longer term debt, a proposal that would have given the company a two-year reprieve… more
FLOW Makes Amends With Customer
Jamaica – THE EDITOR, Sir: We write in response to a letter to the editor titled ‘Disgusting FLOW service’ and published in your newspaper on September 18, 2018… more
Peter Harrison Is The Only Caribbean Candidate For ARIN Board Of Trustees Elections – Here’s Why That Matters
Regional– Peter Harrison has been named among four finalists to contest elections for two seats on the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) board of trustees in October 2018… more
Caribbean hoteliers embrace digital technology to promote region
Regional– The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) says it is moving to further develop its digital technology resources so as to better promote the “many exciting and diverse travel choices” visitors can experience throughout the region… more
Meet Peter Harrison, the only Caribbean candidate in ARIN’s Board elections
Regional– Peter Harrison has been named among four finalists to contest elections for two seats on the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) board of trustees in October 2018… more
Caribbean cybersecurity in focus at Internet Week Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago– The Latin American and Caribbean Internet Registry (LACNIC) will lead a regional cybersecurity workshop in Port of Spain from October 4 to 5… more
Thursday, 27 September 2018
Crypto Balance Must Combat ‘Scam Artists’
Bahamas – The Bahamas must strike a balance between facilitating initial coin offerings (ICO) and crypto currency exchanges and combating “scam artists”, a top accountant urged yesterday… more
‘Digital’ may transform, displaced workers – BWU
Barbados – A union boss has given tourism workers a sober reminder that as the digital technology revolution leads to disruption in the instruction, it could also leave displaced workers in its wake… more
Four universities to unveil tech innovations at UNDP summit
Jamaica– FOUR of Jamaica’s top universities, led by their presidents and principals, will be coming together for an unprecedented unveiling of their own technology innovations that can impact health, crime, natural disaster risk and the blue and green economies, at the annual Social Good Summit 2018… more
Privacy Built In – Israelis Among Overseas Experts To Help Engineer NIDS For Data Security; $400m Cut From Project’s Budget
Jamaica – Israeli cybersecurity specialists were among a number of experts who advised the Jamaican Government about key aspects of the proposed structure that will govern Jamaica’s National Identification System (NIDS)… more
Technology to take tourism forward
Regional – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), the tourism development agency for the region, joins the global community today in celebrating World Tourism Day 2018 under the theme Tourism and the Digital Transformation… more
Conferees discuss initiatives to improve government services
Saint Kitts and Nevis – St. Kitts and Nevis has launched initiatives to enhance the delivery, quality, adoption and use of government services, according to Minister of Communications and Attorney General, the Honourable Vincent Byron… more
St Kitts’ website wins coveted award
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The website of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, www.stkittstourism.kn, has won a highly coveted Magellan Award by Travel Weekly… more
Samsung launches Note 9 in TT
Trinidad and Tobago – ON TUESDAY last week, Samsung formally launched the Note 9 in Trinidad and Tobago… more
The story behind T&T’s 868 code
Trinidad and Tobago – To some, 868 is just another number, but for Trinbagonians, those three iconic digits have become part of our identity. While 868 is the unique dialing code that routes international calls to the phones of consumers in Trinidad and Tobago, those three digits have also become a symbol that evokes a sense of national pride, passion and love for country… more
Friday, 28 September 2018
Delay in tax on online transactions
Barbados – Government will delay the introduction of value added tax on online transactions by two months… more
950 Primary Schools to Receive Tablets and Computers
Jamaica – Some 950 primary schools across the island are to receive tablets and computers over the next four months… more
FLOW Ruined My Business
Jamaica – THE EDITOR, Sir: I returned to Jamaica to start my business. Everything was going wonderfully until October 2017 when the FLOW cable wires that provide service to my home and business were damaged… more
Galaxy Note9 now available in Jamaica
Jamaica – Samsung Electronics has announced the arrival in Jamaica of the latest addition to its premium Note series: the Samsung Galaxy Note9, designed for a generation of creators, achievers, and entrepreneurs who are remaking the world, and relying on technology to do it… more
Jamaica approves tech park in Portmore
Jamaica – The Jamaican government has approved the development of a 34-acre (138,000m2) technology park in Portmore, across the harbor from capital Kingston… more
Jamaica is Leading Digital Transformation in Tourism – says Bartlett
Jamaica – Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says his Ministry is creating the framework to make Jamaica a smart destination… more
Jamaicans urged to protect online presence
Jamaica – Individuals and companies are being encouraged to exercise greater care in managing and protecting their online presence… more
October Is Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Jamaica – The Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team (Ja-CIRT) in the Ministry of Science and Technology will observe its third national Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October… more
Caribbean ministers promote streamlined communications
Regional – The enhancement of a single Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Space was endorsed by ministers from across the Caribbean region who said it is important to streamline economic development to promote a common identity via travel that facilitates integration of culture… more
Crypto-Caribbean: The World’s Most Idyllic Blockchain Sandbox
Regional – 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
Digicel Completes Sale and Leaseback Agreement With Phoenix Tower International
Regional – Digicel has completed a sale and leaseback agreement with Phoenix Tower International LLC (PTI) through its Jamaican subsidiary, Phoenix Tower Jamaica Limited, in relation to a number of its towers in Jamaica, it was announced today… more
Grenada, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines sign 15-year ICT contract
Regional – The governments Grenada, Saint Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines have signed a 15-year agreement with ICT managed services provider, Digicel… more
C&W/Flow Customers Well Positioned to Access Superior Digital Experiences
Saint Kitts and Nevis – “Flow Caribbean customers are well-positioned to enjoy unparalleled access to the rapidly expanding data needs of an evolving digital lifestyle,” said Magnus Ternsjo, C&W’s Vice President, Central Caribbean as he addressed the Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s (CTU) 17th Caribbean Ministerial Strategic Seminar to mark ICT – Week September 26-27, 2018 in St. Kitts… more
Insurance Institute On Cyber Crime Watch
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Cyber Crime was on the main course on the menu when members of the Insurance Institute of SVG met for their September Seminar on Wednesday, September 12 at De Salad… more
Saturday, 29 September 2018
Starr Computer donation helps to upgrade Ptolemy Reid Rehab Centre’s IT Department
Guyana – Starr Computer Inc. on Thursday donated a Computer Smart Lab to the Information Technology (IT) department of the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre… more
Cabinet approves joint venture agreement for tech park in Portmore
Jamaica – CABINET has given approval for a joint venture agreement for the development of the Naggo Head Technology Park in Portmore, St Catherine… more
Digicel raises $90m through Jamaica sale and leaseback
Jamaica– Denis O’Brien’s Digicel Group has raised in the region of $90 million (€77.6 million) by entering into a sale and leaseback agreement for 451 of its wireless communication towers in Jamaica… more
Editorial | Buzz Around Cybersecurity
Jamaica– During October, there is expected to be sustained buzz around cybersecurity as Jamaica and the global community pause to observe Cybersecurity Awareness Month… more
ICT week exceeded expectations
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Week successfully wrapped up on Sept. 28, leaving delegates from across the Caribbean region with a wealth of knowledge on the latest technological advancements and how they can be used to enhance the life of citizens and government operations… more
868 said to evoke national pride, passion
Trinidad and Tobago– The Telecommunications Services of TT (TSTT) is creating awareness about this country’s code of 868, saying these unique digits have become a symbol that evokes a sense of national pride, passion and love for country… more
Sunday, 30 September 2018
Digicel buys some time, but is it enough as hard choices loom?
Regional– When Denis O’Brien sensationally pulled the long-awaited initial public offering (IPO) of Digicel shares at the 11th hour in October 2015 he was robust in his defence of the decision. “Why would you sell your front garden when you know it’s worth a lot of money and why would you sell at a discount?” he told CNBC… more
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