A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 8 April to Sunday 14 April 2019.
Monday, 8 April 2019
Gov’t appoints new Information Commissioner
Antigua and Barbuda – Prime Minister Gaston Browne has recommended the appointment of retired educator Joycelyn Palmer as the country’s new Information Commissioner, a post mandated by the 2004 Freedom of Information Act… more
Crypto ‘Marriage’ With Traditional Financial Services
Bahamas – The Bahamas must take a “holistic” approach that “marries” the Fintech and digital asset space with its existing financial services industry, a local risk specialist is urging… more
Legislators nearly vote down OfReg funding
Cayman Islands– Voicing their displeasure with the regulatory body, lawmakers nearly voted against $1.3 million in supplementary spending towards the Utilities Regulation and Competition Office during Friday’s Finance Committee hearing… more
FLOW Launches New Data Connections Plans to Customers
Dominica – Telecommunications Provider, FLOW launched a number of new and attractive data plans for its prepaid customers on Friday 5th April 2019… more
Lawyer seeks to clear ‘adverse trace’ label from Caricel issue
Jamaica – Attorney-at-law Lord Gifford says he will be taking a constitutional motion to the Supreme Court soon to remove the label of “adverse trace” linked with his client, George Neil… more
Internet registry to host ARIN Caribbean forum in Barbados
Regional – Stakeholders from across the Caribbean and North America will convene in Bridgetown, Barbados, this week for the second regional gathering of the American registry for internet numbers (ARIN) Caribbean forum, on April 8 to 9…more
Tuesday, 9 April 2019
Digital Pilot Programme To Connect Agencies
Bahamas – PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday his government is currently designing a pilot programme to digitally connect government agencies such as the Passport Office and Road Traffic Department – a process that would allow Bahamians to fully apply online for these services without physically providing documents… more
Taxi Union Unveils First App For Drivers
Bahamas – THE BAHAMAS Taxicab Union’s (BTU) president yesterday said the union was moving ever closer to changing the industry’s image by embracing technology through its own app… more
URCA To Unveil Plans At Town Hall Meeting
Bahamas– Discussions on utility structure, consumer impact and alternative energy solutions are planned for tomorrow night’s Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) town meeting… more
Legislators question delays in CCTV system upgrade
Cayman Islands– Questions have been raised over the slow pace of Cayman’s planned CCTV upgrade. So far, less than 25% of the cameras have been switched for higher definition, higher resolution models – around two years after money was allocated for the project… more
Cyber Cheating
Jamaica – In 2019, it’s almost impossible to go through an entire day and not spend any time on social media… more
UPDATED: $3.5m Later, USF Offices Still Not Ready – State Entity Spends Millions In Rent For Empty Space
Jamaica – The Universal Service Fund (USF) is yet to begin full operations at the Ardenne Road location it has leased, where “minor work” is being done to complete the office, according to an official… more
KM2 Solutions 15-Year Anniversary: A History of Excellence
Regional– In 2004, KM² Solutions opened its doors for the very first time. Its original office was in the Caribbean country of St. Lucia, along the northern border of the city’s capital, Castries. 15 years later, KM² Solutions has grown to 10 offices in 6 countries and provides business services to clients in all major industries… more
Wednesday, 10 April 2019
Three BTC team members elevated to leadership positions
Bahamas – BTC recently promoted three qualified team members to leadership positions. Myra Mitchell, Diane Lockhart and Tequelana Gibson all transitioned into new areas in the organization… more
Web Shops Told: ‘Get On Board And Pay Up’
Barbados – Web shops were last night warned by a Cabinet minister to “get on board and pay your fair share to the Treasury” otherwise their licences will not be renewed if taxes remain owing… more
Flow goes bold on mobile plans
Jamaica – Telecoms giant Flow yesterday announced an overhaul of its customer mobile plans to provide unlimited calling on any network and increased connectivity… more
Jamaica buys Thales’ maritime surveillance technology to boost security
Jamaica– The Jamaican Government has ordered new maritime surveillance technology from French firm Thales to strengthen its coastal surveillance capabilities… more
IT Law Expert To Shed Light On Data Protection Act
Jamaica – As the evolution of technology continues to transform various industries across the board, consumers’ personal data become more vulnerable to unauthorised access and manipulation… more
NCB Foundation Innovation Centre To Empower At-Risk Youth
Jamaica – One hundred and fifty at-risk young people will be afforded opportunities to make better of their life and circumstances through a US$1.5-million Digital and Innovation Centre, thanks to the National Commercial Bank (NCB) Foundation in partnership with The Trust for the Americas, a non-profit entity affiliated to the Organization of American States (OAS)… more
Tech Conference To Focus On Business Growth Through Leveraging IT
Jamaica – Technology company tTech Limited is planning to reshape the way people think of information technology (IT) and business by hosting Tech Con by tTech on Friday at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston… more
Tech upgrade for four women’s centres
Jamaica – IGT Jamaica has announced that it will up its support of the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF), providing technology upgrades for its centres in Mandeville, St Ann’s Bay, Savanna-la-Mar, and Spanish Town… more
CaribNOG internet conference commences this week in Barbados
Regional – Technical experts from the global internet community and other stakeholders from across the Caribbean and North America are convening in Bridgetown, Barbados, for the 17th regional meeting of the Caribbean Network Operators Group, called CaribNOG 17… more
Samsung announces six devices ready for the new way of connecting
Trinidad and Tobago – It’s official, the “modern times” are here to stay. We are living in a transition from the great eras of technology: the Selfie Era, which began in the early 2010s, has always been very focused on an ego-centered experience; now, the Live Era comes to present a new form of expression and communication with the world… more
Thursday, 11 April 2019
Samsung introduces the new Galaxy S10 in The Bahamas
Bahamas – Samsung Electronics is pleased to announce the availability of its new Galaxy S10 series in Bahamas, beginning April 11th through authorized carriers and retailer channels… more
Cable TV operators get HBO Copyright compliant
Belize – Belize cable television operators have legitimized their transmission of Home Box Office (HBO) programs, by signing a three-year contract with HBO Latin America to pay all copyright royalties due to the owners of the content… more
Guyana to have first ever National Robotics Competition
Guyana – Guyana will be hosting its first ever National Robotics Competition this year. The competition which will attract at least 60 teams from all 10 administrative regions isn’t aimed at youths being perfect at robot building… more
St. Pius Primary receives robotics kits.
Guyana – The St. Pius Primary School robotics club yesterday received a visit from Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes. The Minister’s visit coincided with the school receiving robotics kits… more
Court ruling on NIDS to be live-streamed
Jamaica – THE Constitutional Court will deliver its ruling in the challenge to sections of the National Identification and Registration Act, 2017 at 9:30 am tomorrow, and it will be live-streamed… more
NIDS Ruling Expected Tomorrow
Jamaica – The Constitutional Court will tomorrow deliver a ruling on the constitutionality of sections of the National Identification and Registration Act (NIDS)… more
Police recover cell site batteries stolen from FLOW
Jamaica – More than 40 cell site batteries belonging to FLOW Jamaica were recovered during a police operation in Norwood, St. James yesterday… more
USF to Establish Internet Wi-Fi Hotspot in Sam Sharpe Square
Jamaica – Persons will soon be able to access free secured Internet service in Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay, St. James… more
USF to Spend $1.13 Billion on Full Implementation of Tablets in Schools Project
Jamaica – The Universal Service Fund (USF) is projected to spend approximately $1.13 billion to commence full implementation of the Tablets in Schools Project, which is expected to get under way this year, following the pilot’s completion… more
Prepaid data plans just got better with FLOW
Saint Vincent and the Grendaines – FLOW PREPAID customers need not worry about having access to their favourite social media platforms when their data plans expire… more
TT’s future with AI
Trinidad and Tobago – While artificial intelligence (AI) may seem a long way into the future for TT, local businesses have been capitalising on the technology to remain competitive and the average consumer, though largely unaware, has multiple interactions with AI daily… more
Friday, 12 April 2019
Aliv on track to record first profit by end of 2019
Bahamas – Telecommunications company Aliv is on track to record a profit for the first time since starting up just over two years ago… more
New Tech Company To Create 100 Jobs
Bahamas– ANOTHER tech company has been approved by government to operate a technology business in Grand Bahama, with an expected $2 million investment, it was announced yesterday… more
Scotiabank using technology to help customers control their money
Bahamas – Scotiabank on Thursday announced new enhancements to its Alerts feature to give customers more control of their banking… more
IMPLICATIONS OF GOING CASHLESS DISCUSSED
Barbados – With Barbados preparing to get rid of cheques and reduce its use of cash, the Central Bank of Barbados and the Financial Services Commission invited the Deputy Governor of Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden’s Central Bank), Henry Ohlsson, to give a presentation on “Payment Systems in a Cheque-less and Cashless Society” at their 10th Domestic Financial Institutions Conference… more
Computers for Children of the Slain
Guyana– On Thursday, April 11, 2019 the Fallen Heroes Foundation in collaboration with Zara Realty Group of companies presented 27 computers, stabilizers and printers to the families of those who died in the line of duty…more
Guyana Telecommunications Market- Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2019-2025
Guyana – The Guyana Telecommunications report – 8th series from OGAnalysis provides a complete view of the Guyana telecom ecosystem along with trends and growth factors shaping the future of the market… more
Using Mobile Data Collection To Improve Life For Farmers In Haiti
Haiti – In 2013, the Brasserie Nationale d’Haïti (BRANA, a Heineken subsidiary) started the Smallholder Alliance for Sorghum in Haiti (SMASH) program to build and reinforce a local sorghum supply chain… more
Gov’t to Provide Funding for ICT Entrepreneurs
Jamaica – Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Fayval Williams, says the Government will be providing funding for budding entrepreneurs engaged in information and communications technology (ICT) this fiscal year… more
FLOW Unveils Unlimited Call Packages
Jamaica – Telecommunications company FLOW has sought to simplify its packages, flattening its offerings with unlimited calls for both its prepaid and postpaid plans as a key lynchpin… more
Constitutional Court dismisses argument that NIDS challenge was premature
Jamaica– The Constitutional Court has disagreed with Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte’s submission that the constitutional challenge of the National Identification and Registration Act, more commonly called the NIDS law, was premature because it was not yet in effect… more
Government to review Supreme Court decision on NIDS
Jamaica– The Government has suffered a major blow after the Supreme Court on Friday morning struck down the National Identification Act (NIDS)… more
Gov’t targets 100,000 more Jamaicans for BPO jobs by 2022
Jamaica– More than 100,000 Jamaicans are being targeted for employment in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector by 2022, as the Government aims to position the industry as a major sector for investment… more
NIDS struck down!
Jamaica – The Constitutional Court this morning struck down the National Identification and Registration (NIDS) Act in its entirety… more
SVL Looks To Cash Cows To Popularise Mobile Betting App
Jamaica – Having secured the approval of the gaming regulator in March, Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) began rolling out its mobile app to the mainstream market last month, which allows for private betting… more
Byron: digital transformation strategy may make the government more efficient
Saint Kitts and Nevis– A digital transformation strategy aimed at making government more efficient when doing business with the public, private sector and the diaspora is expected to be launched in St. Kitts and Nevis shortly… more
FLOW still testing Local Number Portability
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – ANYONE THINKING of taking their cellular phone number from one network to another will have to wait a few more weeks… more
MP Brison submits legislation to facilitate sale of UTS Shares.
Sint Maarten – United St. Maarten Party Member of Parliament Rolando Brison has initiated a draft national ordinance that would facilitate government with a way to sell the remaining minority shares of UTS before risking the dilution of the value of these shares… more
Saturday, 13 April 2019
2019 Future Of Anguilla Telecommunications Market- Trends, Outlook and Growth Opportunities of Mobile, Fixed Landline and Broadband Markets
Anguilla – The future value proposition for telecommunications market in Anguilla to 2025 is detailed in the report. It also provides imperatives for gaining market share in highly competitive telecom industry… more
Future Of Barbados Telecommunications Market-Trends, Outlook and Growth Opportunities(2019-2025) of Mobile, Fixed Landline and Broadband
Barbados – The future value proposition for telecommunications market in Barbados to 2025 is detailed in the report… more
Haiti Telecommunications Market 2019, Strategic Analysis and Outlook to 2025-Analysis of Haiti Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Haiti – Haiti Telecom outlook report is a comprehensive analytical research on the Haiti’s cellular, fixed telephone and fixed broadband segments… more
Major blow to NIDS
Jamaica – THE Andrew Holness-led Government was yesterday dealt a severe legal blow and will have to revisit the National Identification and Registration Act, commonly called the NIDS Bill, after the Constitutional Court ruled it unconstitutional… more
NIDS Shot Down – Court Rules Identity Law Unconstitutional
Jamaica – A key plank of legislation championed by the Holness administration was yesterday struck down as unconstitutional, delivering a body blow to the Government’s identity law and offering vindication to critics who deemed it illegal and an overreach of state authority… more
13th WTISD Video Competition
Regional– World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) spearheaded by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is observed annually on the 17th of May… more
The WiPay Brouhaha: Three More Call It Quits
Saint Lucia – As forward as a country, it has become increasingly evident that we cannot continue to operate using traditional models and systems… more
Sunday, 14 April 2019
That GTT Billing Cycle
Guyana– We at the GTT, continue to work diligently to ensure that our customers are happy and satisfied. It is imperative that we are on par with the world’s technological advancements. Therefore, we are constantly upgrading our services…more
‘NIDS Reminded Me Of Slavery’ – Church Groups Rejoice At Identity Law Annulment
Jamaica – Hailing the landmark court ruling against the constitutionality of the National Identification and Registration Act 2017 as a victory for the Jamaican people, church and civil-society groups have argued that the Holness Government made a grave error when it rushed the controversial law through Parliament… more
Web portal for cybercrime reports to be ready by month-end
Jamaica – A web portal for victims to report cybercrimes or cyber incidents will become operational by month-end… more
Phone Bandit Gets Six in Prison
Saint Lucia – There was action in the city last week as a young man who attempted to rob a visitor of her cell phone and was quickly apprehended after being chased down by citizens… more
Image credits: filipe ferreira (flickr); Wikipedia; Facebook; Wikimedia Commons; Wikipedia; Wikipedia
