A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 19 November to Sunday 25 November 2018.
Monday, 19 November 2018
BTC Chief: Unproductive Staff Should Be ‘Anxious’
Bahamas – THE Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) chief executive has warned that unproductive staff should be “anxious” for their jobs as the company is “late” in adjusting to competition… more
Some busses to go cashless
Bahamas – The hassle of having to find the correct change to give a bus driver will soon come to an end as some 12-15 busses will be outfitted with a cashless system that would allow riders to use top-up cards… more
Teachers will play key role in digital education
Bahamas – Teachers will be key to the success in ‘digitalizing’ learning institutions in the country, said Minister of Education, Jeffrey Lloyd at the recent Grand Bahama Technology Summit… more
Jamaica Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband Market 2018-2022, Upcoming Trends, Challenges and Industry Key Players – Digicel, Cable & Wireless, Flow
Jamaica – Mobile licence of Jamaica’s third operator under review. Jamaica’s telecom sector is largely propped up by the maturing mobile sector… more
70,000 free phones from Digicel for select customers this Christmas
Trinidad and Tobago – Digicel Trinidad and Tobago is giving over 70,000 free phones to select customers this Christmas… more
TSTT RETRENCHMENT, TRAGIC, SAYS ONE OPPOSITION MP.
Trinidad and Tobago – Member of Parliament for Tabaquite, Dr. Suruj Rambachan, describes as a tragic the current situation the Telecommunication Services of Trinidad And Tobago has found itself in… more
Tuesday, 20 November 2018
BTC CEO: We are not conceding anymore subscriber share
Bahamas – Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) has the toughest battle of its existence ahead of it as it continues to transition out of its monopoly position, its CEO Garfield Sinclair told Guardian Business yesterday, adding that with the help of its union partners, the telecoms company could become more efficient, high-performing and competitive… more
BTC Hits ‘Red Line’ On Client, Value Erosion
Bahamas – THE Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) chief executive says the company has reached “the red line” on mobile subscriber loss and value, and is readying the fight back… more
BTC’s Privatisation ‘A Colossal Failure’
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) privatisation “has been a colossal failure”, a union leader blasted yesterday, adding: “Aliv’s eating our lunch with ease… more
BTC trade unions meet with Opposition leader
Bahamas – The Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU) and the Bahamas Communications Public Managers Union (BCPMU) met with Opposition leader Philip “Brave” Davis on Monday to review the concerns of the Trade Unions in light of the impending downsizing at the Bahamas Telecommunications Company… more
Visitor experience being enhanced with telescopes, WiFi
British Virgin Islands – As the BVI moves to restore its once-booming tourism industry, a number of initiatives are being rolled out to enhance visitor experience in the hurricane-hit territory… more
Government to introduce digital assets framework
Cayman Islands – Minister of Financial Services Tara Rivers has announced that government favors a regulatory sandbox-type framework for digital assets. The minister outlined government’s approach to regulating digital assets in a statement in the Legislative Assembly on Nov. 14.. more
GTT withdraws application to end phone box service in interior areas
Guyana – Even though the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) yesterday retracted its application to withdraw its phone box service to 18 interior communities, representation was made by members of the public who said that not only is there a need for the service but there is also a need for improvements… more
Haiti Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband Market Growth, Analysis, Challenges and Industry Key Players – Natcom, HaiTel, Digicel | 2018
Haiti – Haiti again turns attention to digital broadcasting. Haiti’s economic and social indicators remain far lower than the average for Latin America and the Caribbean… more
Cyber Bullies Hurting Jamaica’s Children
Jamaica – As Jamaica joins the rest of the world to commemorate International Children Day, Jamaica’s Youth Ambassador Charles Young is concerned that a number of the nation’s children are being victimised online… more
Digicel says debt-swap discussions going well
Jamaica – Digicel chairman Denis O’Brien Carlos Ghosnsays discussions are going well as the telecoms company seeks to agree to a swap deal with bondholders… more
Police seek power to access phone data
Jamaica – The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is seeking power to compel suspects to give access to their electronic devices without a court order… more
Digicel to be 90 per cent digitised in 12 months
Regional – Chairman and Founder of Digicel group Dennis O’Brien said within the next 12 month his company (Digicel) should be 90 per cent digitised throughout the world… more
Digicel customers to celebrate this Christmas with $100,000 in cash and prizes
Saint Lucia – JUST two weeks after turning on its brand new network – lighting up all of St. Lucia with superfast LTE data – telecommunications and entertainment provider… more
Flow SVG boosts broadband speeds free of charge
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) has carried out a major upgrade of the broadband network of its Flow (SVG) brand in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, with over 80 percent of customers set to receive a free speed increase in the coming weeks, reports website iWitness News, citing country manager Wayne Hull… more
Technology changing profession
Trinidad and Tobago – Technology is reshaping the accounting landscape at a quick rate, and accountants must evolve to keep up… more
TSTT investigates death of man by utility pole
Trinidad and Tobago – TSTT says it is currently investigating the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the incident in which Ulrich John was injured and subsequently succumbed to his injuries… more
Wednesday, 21 November 2018
Aliv launches ALIVCreates
Bahamas – Believing in giving back to its customers and transforming the digital community in The Bahamas, Aliv has announced the official launch of its very own technology hub rooted in The Bahamas with Bahamian talent, innovation and tenacity at its forefront, called ALIVCreates… more
BUSINESS BYTE: FLOW Christmas Campaign launch
Dominica – Flow customers across Dominica will get something ‘extra’ to help ‘warm’ the traditionally colder nights that signal the Christmas season’s arrival… more
LACNIC, Google, Dominican Telecom push for digital market
Dominican Republic – The organization LACNIC and Google, in coordination with the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (Indotel) on Tues. announced the workshops on “IP Interconnection and Trafficking” and “Digital Marketing and Entrepreneurship in the DR,” to extend the country’s initiatives aimed at strengthening digital markets in Central America and the Caribbean… more
Courtrooms get more digital audio recording systems
Guyana – Several courtrooms across Guyana are now equipped with digital audio recording systems, which were donated by the Judicial Reform and Institutional Strengthening (JURIST) Project, as the entity continues to assist with reforming the judiciary to reduce delays and backlogs… more
GTT proposed rate hikes similar to Berbice Bridge fiasco – Ramon Gaskin
Guyana – Auditor and Private Consultant, Ramon Gaskin, chided representatives of Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) on Monday last at the final hearing for their application to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for “Approval of a Tariff Regime for Access and Landline Metered Charges”… more
No more free GTT subscriber call blocking service, as PUC approves rates
Guyana – Guyana Telephone and Telegraph’s (GTT) landline subscribers will from next year have to pay for subscriber call blocking activated services, according to a decision by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC)… more
bmobile setting the stage for tech innovation
Trinidad and Tobago – Positioning technology to play a larger role in the country’s economic diversification will be one of the key goals when bmobile hosts its “Connect Technology Conference and Innovation Week” from January 28 – February 1, 2019… more
Thursday, 22 November 2018
Police warn email users about data breaches
Cayman Islands – The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service’s Financial Crime Unit is advising the public to take steps to secure their email logins after the unit investigated a recent report of a victim losing money because of a website data breach that happened several years ago… more
Altice’s Dominican Republic revenues fall 16% on price erosion
Dominican Republic – Altice announced revenues of EUR 447.0 million for its Altice Dominicana brand in the Dominican Republic in the 9 months to end of September, down 15.8 percent year on year on a reported basis and 7.5 percent on a constant currency basis compared to the EUR 530.7 million posted a year earlier, above all due to a decrease in mobile B2C revenues as a result of price erosion… more
GTT subscribers to now pay for call blocking service
Guyana – The Guyana Public Utilities Commission, the country’s regulator, has green-lighted the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) to start charging for the Subscriber Activated Call Blocking feature… more
Digicel may sell small assets — O’Brien
Jamaica – Telecoms company Digicel may consider selling some small assets in order to address its highly leveraged position. says founder and chairman Denis O’Brien… more
Jamaican police seek more powers to access mobile phones of suspects
Jamaica – THE police are seeking powers to force suspects in organised crime investigations to give them access to their mobile phones, and other electronic devices, without a court order… more
Mustard Seed boys’ home gifted with computer lab from IGT Jamaica
Jamaica – Boys living at Matthew 25:40, the Mustard Seed Communities’ centre for HIV/AIDS care, will now be able to enhance their learning capabilities through an Afterschool Advantage Centre, courtesy of IGT Jamaica… more
Friday, 23 November 2018
Bahamas poised to be the ‘Silicon Valley’ of the Caribbean
Bahamas – The Islands of the Bahamas are known for their innate beauty, seafood, beaches and resorts, a technology revolution is happening a few miles off of the east coast of South Florida… more
BTC makes history with new ‘Always On’ value proposition
Bahamas – With Christmas around the corner in just a few weeks, BTC has introduced a brand-new customer value proposition for its mobile subscribers… more
BTC Unions Meet With PM’s Office
Bahamas – Both Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) trade unions yesterday met the parliamentary secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office to discuss their challenges… more
tTech revenues up 25 per cent
Jamaica – The management of tTech Ltd, one of Jamaica’s leading Managed IT Services providers, says it is pleased with the company’s continued growth throughout the third quarter of 2018, and is in the process of implementing operational improvements to further drive the company’s performance… more
DIGICEL Offers $60,000 In Cash,Prizes This Christmas
Saint Kitts and Nevis – This Christmas, telecommunications and entertainment provider Digicel is giving even more & promising to make this Christmas the hottest for all its customers… more
Saturday, 24 November 2018
– Nil –
Sunday, 25 November 2018
Itelbpo Exploring Listing On The Jamaica Stock Exchange
Jamaica – Homegrown Business process outsourcing outfit itelbpo is doubling its footprint, adding 1,500 jobs, and is exploring listing on the Jamaica Stock Exchange… more
Image credits: Mars Hill Church (flickr); The Eleutheran; Brands of the World; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikipedia
