A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 28 January to Sunday 3 February 2019.
Monday, 28 January 2019
NDP launches app ahead of elections
British Virgin Islands– The National Democratic Party (NDP) has upped the ante on the campaign trail with the launch of an app ahead of the February 25 general elections… more
Cayman Islands Investment Group planning new cryptocurrency exchange
Cayman Islands – Cayman Islands Investment Group has announced the development of a brand new Digital Asset Trading Platform based in the Cayman Islands… more
GUYANA POSITIONING ITSELF AS ICT HUB IN THE CARIBBEAN
Guyana – The Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organizations (CANTO) has started its four-day annual conference here with Guyana positioning itself as information technology and communication (ICT) hub in the Caribbean… more
Engineers’ Angle | Digital Switchover For Jamaica: Challenges And Opportunities
Jamaica – In February 2018, the University of Technology, Jamaica, hosted a digital switchover information session where the executive director of the Broadcasting Commission, Cordel Green, stated that, “The global march of digitisation has made the transition to digital television an inevitable imperative for the broadcasting industry in Jamaica… more
Fake news, privacy and crime-fighting
Jamaica – Many issues have emerged in this digital and hyper-connected 21st century that have been described as unprecedented, without examining history, even recent history…more
Health + Tech | Interoperability Critical To Healthcare Digitisation
Jamaica – Interoperability is what makes an electronic system, well a system. Connectivity is critical in any healthcare environment… more
Jamaicans Encouraged To Develop Data Privacy Culture
Jamaica – The Ministry of Science and Technology is encouraging Jamaicans to develop a culture of data privacy and to be vigilant in securing their personal information online… more
TVJ Acquires Exclusive Cable And TV Rights To Women’s World Cup
Jamaica – Radio Jamaica and Television Jamaica Limited, the country’s leading media providers, have acquired the exclusive FIFA Women’s World Cup free-to-air and cable television rights, including the right to simulcast its free-to-air channel TVJ via broadband transmission on 1spotmedia and televisionjamaica.com… more
Caribbean telecoms body opens 35th meeting here
Regional– One hundred and eighty members and stakeholders from thirty countries are here for the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organizations (CANTO)’s 35th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Mini Expo which officially opened last evening at the Marriott Hotel… more
Jean-Yves Charlier appointed Digicel Group Chief Executive Officer
Regional – Jean-Yves Charlier, who was appointed to the Digicel Group board in September of last year, was today announced as Group Chief Executive Officer of the communications and entertainment provider, with immediate effect…more
Tuesday, 29 January 2019
Barbados keeping up with technology
Barbados – Any use of technology which will improve the efficiency of how business is conducted in Barbados should be welcomed… more
Data protection legislation a must
Barbados – Today, January 28th is celebrated as Data Privacy Day every year in certain countries. It is part of an international effort to create awareness around data privacy… more
CANTO and GSMA Sign MoU at 35th AGM in Guyana
Regional – Telecommunication’s Association CANTO has joined forces with GSM Association (GSMA) a trade body that represents the interests of mobile network operators worldwide by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at CANTO’s 35th AGM held in Guyana… more
Chairman Julian Wilkins to Pass the Torch at CANTO’s 35th AGM
Regional – Julian Wilkins, will step down as Chairman of the Board of CANTO having served the statutory two terms… more
Wednesday, 30 January 2019
Doing business digitally
Barbados – When a job seeker applies for a certificate of character, a cumbersome search begins that not only takes a long time and tests willingness of the public service worker, but it could also produce inaccurate information…more
Users can access 200 government services in major mall
Dominican Republic – Information and Communication Technologies Presidential Office (OPTIC) director Armando García on Wed. unveiled a Citizen Attention Center for users to receive over 150 procedures, without having to visit government agencies… more
Thursday, 31 January 2019
BUSINESS BYTE: Dominicans set to reap the rewards of Digicel’s partnership with the government
Dominica – Dominicans are set to reap the rewards of the 15- year partnership signed last week between ICT managed services provider Digicel, and the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica… more
Jamaica preparing to counter cyber security threat, says Holness
Jamaica – Prime Minister Andrew Holness says Jamaica has put measures in place to counter the threat of cyber security, which is rapidly developing into a source of concern in the region… more
No data cost for Scotia customers banking with app on Digicel phones
Jamaica – Scotiabank Jamaica customers with Digicel phones are now able to access the bank’s services on their handsets without incurring data charges… more
O’Brien chooses Charlier as new chief executive of Digicel
Regional – Denis O’Brien’s telecoms group Digicel has named executive vice-chairman Jean-Yves Charlier as its new chief executive, a month after the previous holder of the role died suddenly after less than a year in the post… more
Overdue: Regulations for regional data protection
Regional – “IS IT TIME for us in the Caribbean to consider our trust issues?” asked George Gobin of the audience gathered for the third local Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF) last Friday… more
Friday, 1 February 2019
Crypto Exchange Plan To ‘Revolutionise’ BISX
Bahamas – The Bahamas International Securities Exchange’s (BISX) plans for a cryptocurrency and digital securities trading platform will “revolutionise our jurisdiction”, its top executive said yesterday… more
The case for the iCreate IPO
Jamaica – it was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” Charles Dickens’ opening line to A Tale of Two Cities is actually applicable on any given day in any given year, but in 2019, that line applies directly to the Global Creative Economy, and Jamaica to be specific… more
BUSINESS BYTE: David Cox of Cable & Wireless Communications elected new chairman of CANTO
Regional – David Cox, Head of Regulatory Affairs for Cable & Wireless Communications (“C&W” or the “Company”) is the new Chairman of CANTO, one of the leading Caribbean organizations in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) / Telecommunications industry… more
Free TV On-The-Go for St Lucia – A Very ‘Appy Anniversary
Saint Lucia – To commemorate St. Lucia’s 40th anniversary of Independence, total communications and entertainment provider, Digicel, has made its PlayGo app free for the month of February…more
TT regulator authorities issue warning on use of virtual currencies
Trinidad and Tobago – The regulatory authorities are warning Trinidad and Tobago nationals, investing in or otherwise conducting transactions in virtual currencies to be wary of various schemes promising high returns… more
Saturday, 2 February 2019
Antigua education Minister takes ‘full responsibility’ for e-books fiasco
Antigua and Barbuda – The Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Michael Browne, for the first time, has publicly stated that he has taken full responsibility for the fallout after weeks of scrutiny and calls for his resignation over the ongoing e-books saga… more
BHTA funds CCTV project in the north
Barbados – In its continuing support of the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) and with the increasing concerns about safety, the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) is providing funding to enhance surveillance on the island… 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
Sunday, 3 February 2019
Jamaican athletes and virtual anti-doping technology
Jamaica – In 2011, Steve Mullings, a Jamaican former sprint athlete, was banned for life for taking, a masking agent, Furosemide… more
Tech Companies, States Spar With Gov’t Over Net Neutrality
Jamaica – Tech companies and nearly two dozen US states clashed with the United States government in federal court Friday over the repeal of net neutrality, a set of Obama-era rules aimed at preventing big internet providers from discriminating against certain technology and services… more
Image credits: filipe ferreira (flickr); Wikimedia Commons; Facebook; Wikipedia; Wikipedia
