A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 4 February to Sunday 10 February 2019.
Monday, 4 February 2019
Director of Education says sorry over leaked e-books comment
Antigua and Barbuda – An education official who was secretly recorded in a private meeting where he contradicted the prime minister’s public statements regarding the ‘E-Book scandal’, said his (the education official’s) comment that the Cabinet was aware of the now controversial user fee for the product was premised on misinformation… more
Richard Lewis denies working on e-books project
Antigua and Barbuda – Author of information technology textbooks Richard Lewis is refuting the prime minister’s claim that he, Lewis, has been providing services for the now controversial government e-books project and has been paid over $1 million for that…more
Chinese donate IT equipment
Barbados– The Chinese Government has made a donation of technology equipment to Barbados… more
Belize moves up 18 spots in Global Fixed broadband ranking.
Belize – In December 2018, Digi announced that DigiNet customers would be able to enjoy double their internet speeds at no extra cost… more
200 jobs for Lindeners as Guyana gov’t invests $60M to reopen call centre
Guyana – Lindeners can expect 200 new jobs in the field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) by the end of 2019 as Government plans to invest $60M to rehabilitate the old call centre in the mining town… more
First Lady opens third ICT training workshop in Region 10
Guyana – First Lady, Sandra Granger, on Monday encouraged 40 youths drawn from several communities across Linden, Upper Demerara-Berbice to capitalise on the chance to learn Information and Communication Technology (ICT) so that they can take advantage of the employment opportunities in that sector… more
iCreate successfully closes IPO
Jamaica – Creative training institute, iCreate Limited successfully closed its initial public offering on the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) Junior Market for little over 74 million shares last Friday… more
“Intellectual Capital Generated by CANTO, is Robust” Says Newly Elected Chair of CANTO
Regional – “Intellectual capital generated by CANTO, is robust” declared newly elected Chairman of CANTO, David Cox in his acceptance speech at CANTO’s 35th AGM. Mr. Cox who is the Head of Regulatory Affairs at Cable & Wireless Communications stated…more
Trinidad: Teenager commits suicide after mother takes away cell phone
Trinidad and Tobago– A 16-year-old girl is reported to have committed suicide after her mother took away her mobile phone after finding out that she had been posting revealing photographs on social media, the Trinidad Express newspaper reported Monday… more
Tuesday, 5 February 2019
BTC Celebrates 40 Years of partnership with Junior Achievement
Bahamas – BTC hosted over 70 aspiring entrepreneurs at its annual Junior Achievement Future Leaders Seminar held under the theme, “Cultivating the Right Leaders”… more
Digital B$ Pilot To ‘Crystallise’ In ‘19
Bahamas – The Central Bank is aiming to “crystallise” its strategy for a digital Bahamian dollar test project before year-end 2019, its governor revealed yesterday… more
FLOW Helping Children, Seniors Boost Online Safety
Jamaica – More than 250 students in primary schools across the island are now being trained by the FLOW Foundation to become online safety monitors for their peers and in their communities… more
TSTT making new CCTV bid
Trinidad and Tobago – Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Ronald Walcot responded to ‘misconstrued’ news circulating that TSTT had a $100 million contract to supply Government with closed circuit television (CCTV) services… more
Wednesday, 6 February 2019
Motorists warned about cellphone use, eating while driving
Antigua and Barbuda – The Antigua and Barbuda Government has warned motorists that they would be charged if they are found to be eating and using a cell phone while driving… more
E-tabulating machines only count votes | More public demonstrations on February 10
British Virgin Islands– As questions still surround the new electronic tabulating machines that will be used in the elections for the first time in BVI history, persons are being given another opportunity to test the equipment ahead of the February 25 general elections… more
Netflix rates increase in the country
Dominican Republic– As of March, Netflix users in the Dominican Republic will pay a new rate with an increase due to the use of this streaming service… more
iCreate IPO oversubscribed
Jamaica – CREATIVE training institute, iCreate Limited successfully closed its initial public offering (IPO) for the issue of 74,062,500 ordinary shares, a day after opening to the market… more
Technology In Focus | Finding Love In A Click -| At The Heart Of Cyber Dating , Safety Is Key
Jamaica – More persons are embracing online dating now than a decade ago. According to The Knot, a wedding website based in the United States, in a survey of more than 14,000 persons who were engaged or recently married, 19 per cent of brides said they met their spouses online… more
New CANTO chairman outlines priorities for his tenure
Regional – The newly elected chairman of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organizations (CANTO), David Cox, says he believes the regional organisation “can become the largest and most influential forum for everything related to the Caribbean and technology”… more
Thursday, 7 February 2019
Investment summit explores data globalization and machine learning
Cayman Islands – Globalization is not over. In many ways, it is accelerating, as a new form of internationalization is no longer about goods and services but about data, according to Tony Cowell, partner at KPMG and chairman of the Cayman Alternative Investment Summit… more
Digicel dragged into $1.5bn US lawsuit over alleged corruption in Haiti
Haiti – Digicel, the Caribbean telecoms company owned by Denis ’Brien, has become embroiled in a $1.5 billion US lawsuit over allegations it is a “co-conspirator” in a “ruse” to divert cash that is meant to fund education in Haiti, but is instead allegedly spent corruptly… more
Digicel embroiled in US lawsuit; €50m for social housing and Big Techs possible new role
Haiti – Digicel, the Caribbean telco owned by Denis O’Brien, has become embroiled in a $1.5 billion US lawsuit over allegations it is a “co-conspirator” in a “ruse” to divert cash that is meant to fund education in Haiti, but is instead allegedly spent corruptly. Mark Paul reports… more
Company to implement ATM network, related technology for St. Lucia credit unions
Saint Lucia – Bevertec CST Inc., a leading provider of retail financial services technology and services in the Caribbean and worldwide, is pleased to announce that the company has reached an agreement with Capita Financial Services Inc. (Barbados) to implement an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) network and related technology to serve the credit unions of St. Lucia… more
‘Make social media your friend’
Trinidad and Tobago – Sagicor staff have been encouraged to make use of social media, or they would be left behind, by American actress, singer, author, and activist Sheryl Lee Ralph Hughes… more
Media workshop a good intervention
Trinidad and Tobago – THE British High Commission and the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC) deserve fulsome congratulations and thanks for a timely and provocative two-day media workshop on “Freedom, Facts and Fake News”… more
Friday, 8 February 2019
Digicel Barbados appoints new CEO
Barbados– Digicel Barbados today announced Yaser Maher as its new Chief Executive Officer. This appointment comes on the heels of the former CEO, Alex Tasker, being appointed to the role of Executive Chairman of Digicel Barbados in October of last year… more
TSTT employee wins lawsuit against company after accident
Trinidad and Tobago – A TSTT employee, who was seriously injured in a car accident due to faulty brakes on the company’s vehicle, has scored a minor legal victory in his lengthy legal battle for compensation… more
Saturday, 9 February 2019
GRA striving to make ASYCUDA function to its maximum capabilities for a full rollout in second quarter
Guyana – Dear Editor, The Guyana Revenue Authority notes the concerns recently expressed by Mr. Manzoor Nadir in the Wednesday, February 6, 2019 edition of three daily newspapers regarding the implementing and monitoring of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) World (AW)… more
Teleperformance rents six-storey building for corporate headquarters
Guyana – The international call centre, Teleperformance, is about to occupy the long vacant six-storey building at Camp and Lamaha Streets, the owner Neil Sooklall said Saturday… more
Call centre appealing US$4.2 million award to Fly Jamaica
Jamaica– ADS Global Limited, the company that operated Fly Jamaica’s call centre five years ago, is appealing the US$4.2 million awarded to the airline in December for breach of contract… more
Sunday, 10 February 2019
Digicel says new fibre optic cable system will change the way St. Lucians work, play, learn and live
Saint Lucia – Digicel, your total communications and entertainment provider in the Caribbean, is today pledging to the government and every business in Saint Lucia: the new fibre optic cable system (currently under construction) will be a total game changer…more
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