A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 22 July to Sunday 28 July 2019.
Monday, 22 July 2019
PM launches renewed attack on Digicel as fight over spectrum intensifies
Antigua and Barbuda – Prime Minister Gaston Browne has rolled up his sleeves and launched a renewed attack on the Irish-owned telecommunications provider Digicel as the fight intensifies to ensure that the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) obtains a slice of the existing 850-megahertz spectrum currently being utilized by the other two companies operating in the country… more
Bahamas to create Bahamian digital dollar
Bahamas – The Bahamas Central Bank is preparing the creation of the Bahamian digital dollar to enable more financial inclusion and economic growth, to show the world that the jurisdiction is innovative and technology-oriented and is committed to anti-money laundering, said the participants of the recent Opalesque Bahamas Roundtable… more
Blockchain finance conference to be held in Bahamas
Bahamas – Finance Minister K.Peter Turnquest will address the inaugural Bahamas CryptoChicks Youth Blockchain and AI Hackathon and Conference, scheduled for August 23-25, according to CANA… more
BTC Owner Proposing 25,000 Homes Spend
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) ultimate parent is proposing a “huge” investment to extend its fibre network past another 25,000 homes, not the buy-out of the government’s stake in the carrier… more
BTC’s CEO touts benefits of VSEPs
Bahamas – There could absolutely be more voluntary separation packages (VSEPs) coming for employees at the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), according to the company’s Chief Executive Office Garfield Sinclair, who added that VSEPs help to draw out the best talent available in the company and are therefore necessary to improve the culture of a business… more
‘BTC Suffering Because Of Lack Of Leadership’
Bahamas – THE Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union will continue to publicly reject the leadership of BTC CEO Garfield Sinclair until he resigns, insisting staff refuse to work with him moving forward… more
BTC To Offer ‘Much More’ In New VSEP
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) top executive has pledged that new voluntary separation (VSEP) packages will be “considerably more” generous than in previous downsizings… more
BTC Warns Staff – Time To Get Real: CEO Tells Unions To Stop Confrontation And Accept Change
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) trade unions have been warned their tactics “could be fatal” to a business that has lost $110m in annual revenue in less than three years… more
BTVI Helps Global Women In IT PUSH
Bahamas – The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) recently joined a worldwide push to encourage women to consider educational and career paths in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)… more
Deputy Prime Minister to give opening remarks at 2019 Bahamas Youth Blockchain and AI Hackathon & Conference
Bahamas – Hon. Kevin Peter Turnquest, Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas and the Minister of Finance will give the opening remarks on Friday, August 23rd at the first Bahamas CryptoChicks Youth Blockchain and AI Hackathon and Conference… more
Industrial action looming at BTC
Bahamas – Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU) President Dino Rolle said yesterday that the union will continue to agitate until Liberty Latin America CEO Balan Nair and BTC Chief Executive Officer Garry Sinclair resign, saying if the pair do not step down, the union will “do what it must”… more
Maynard Tells BTC Boss: Go Back To Jamaica – Now
Bahamas – Bahamas Electrical Workers Union president Paul Maynard wants BTC’s Chief Executive Officer Garry Sinclair to do one thing: to go back to Jamaica… more
Sinclair: BTC’s call center will not be moved
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) will hold off on making any changes to the company’s call center, heeding Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis’ request not to move those jobs out of the country, BTC’s Chief Executive Officer Garfield Sinclair revealed on Friday… more
FSC to invite applications for fintech “sandbox”
British Virgin Islands – “Digitalisation is our ticket,” Jennifer Potter-Questelles, deputy managing director of corporate services at the Financial Services Commission, said last week during the FSC’s annual Meet the Regulator forum… more
JCF recognised internationally for its use of GIS technology
Jamaica – The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has been recognised internationally for its strategic use of the Geographic Information System (GIS)… more
CANTO 2019 Day One – Collaboration, Co-ordination, Disruption and Harmonization
Regional – Collaboration, co-ordination, disruption and the harmonization of the regulatory structure within the Caribbean and Latin America including the benefits of scale was the repeated mantra among operators and key stakeholders in the opening round of sessions at CANTO’S 35th Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition, taking place at the Hyatt Regency, Port-of-Spain from 21st – 26th July 2019, under the theme… more
ECCB Governor calls for single regional standard on data protection
Regional – Amid the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank’s (ECCB’s) continued development of the Eastern Caribbean digital currency (DXCD), the bank’s Governor, Timothy N.J. Antoine, has called on regional governments to adopt a singular data protection regulatory standard… more
FUTURE OF ST. LUCIA TELECOMMUNICATIONS MARKET 2019- TRENDS, OUTLOOK AND GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES OF MOBILE, FIXED LANDLINE AND BROADBAND MARKETS
Saint Lucia – The St. Lucia Telecommunications report – 8th series from provides a complete view of the St. Lucia telecom ecosystem along with trends and growth factors shaping the future of the market… more
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY 2019 GLOBAL MARKET GROWTH, TRENDS, REVENUE, SHARE AND DEMANDS RESEARCH REPORT
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Telecommunications report – 8th series from provides a complete view of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines telecom ecosystem along with trends and growth factors shaping the future of the market… more
Saint Lucia Taking Part In Digital Currency Project
Saint Lucia – Saint Lucia is among countries participating in in the first phase of the digital currency pilot project of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), regional reports say… more
TSTT probes fatal motocycle crash
Trinidad and Tobago – A TSTT cable is being blamed for the death of a motorcyclist who became entangled in the damaged line which had been left hanging at Jerningham Junction, Cunupia, on Sunday night… more
Tuesday, 23 July 2019
Antigua & Barbuda PM slams Digicel as ‘monopoly’
Antigua and Barbuda – The Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda Gaston Browne has stepped up pressure on mobile telco Digicel to give up part of its spectrum in the 850MHz band, reports the Daily Observer… more
Actuarial review of BTC pension plan underway
Bahamas – An actuarial review of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) pension plan is underway, Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest said yesterday, adding that the government continues to determine the way forward on the multimillion-dollar liability… more
BTC Chief: I Won’t Succumb To Dissent
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) top executive has pledged he will “not give up” in the face of union resistance as he is “convinced” the carrier is now “on the right path”… more
Local firms have not fully leveraged internet’s potential, notes URCA document
Bahamas – Entrepreneurs and businesses in The Bahamas have not fully leveraged the potential of the internet, according to a document put out by the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA)… more
Sinclair: BTC has slowed loss of mobile subscribers
Bahamas – Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) has slowed the loss of mobile subscribers impacting the company since telecoms competitor Aliv entered the market, the company’s Chief Executive Officer Garfield Sinclair said last week, adding that other parts of BTC’s business are seeing an uptick… more
Union: BTC ‘Needs Leader With A Plan’
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) lacks “a leader with a plan”, its line staff union chief is arguing, insisting that workers realise the carrier needs to “settle down” and compete… more
BTB Digital Marketing Summit 2019
Belize – This July 19th, 2019, the Belize Tourism Board held its 5th Digital Marketing Summit at the Best Western Plus in Belize City… more
CANTO 2019 Day Two – The Conversation on the Regulation of the Digital Economy
Regional – Day 2 of CANTO’s 35th Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition deepened the conversation on the Regulation of the Digital Economy… more
Flow to focus on customer service
Trinidad and Tobago – Flow is ramping up efforts to improve the service provided to its 100,000-plus customers. That’s the assurance given by telecommunication giant’s new country manager, 39-year-old Kurleigh Prescod… more
Wednesday, 24 July 2019
Aliv: ‘Growth At All Costs’ Has Finished
Bahamas – Aliv’s top executive says its business model is shifting from “growth at all costs” as it targets a mobile market share “in the mid-40 percent” range by the 2020 half-way mark… more
BCPOU Files Trade Dispute Against BTC
Bahamas – Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU) President Dino Rolle filed a trade dispute against the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) Limited on Monday… more
Cable And BTC Reject URCA’s IXP Argument
Bahamas – Cable Bahamas and the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) have unanimously cast doubt on URCA’s case for developing a local Internet Exchange Point (IXP)… more
Shrewd Play By The PM
Bahamas – There is a theory that the Prime Minister was being cunning like a fox when he chose to stare at the leather in his shoe rather than look the international boss of BTC directly in the eye… more
Union Continues Assault On BTC Management
Bahamas – THE Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union continued its verbal assault on BTC’s leadership yesterday, this time attacking the credibility of CEO Garry Sinclair… more
BUSINESS BYTE: Flow prepaid customers get more value – additional calling minutes
Dominica – Flow Prepaid Mobile customers are smiling as the company announces the addition of ‘Anywhere’ calling minutes to its 1-day and 7- day ‘Always On’ Combo plans… more
“Girls in Tech” launches Guyana chapter
Guyana – Girls in Tech (GIT), a global non-profit that work to put an end to gender inequality in high-tech industries and startups will launch a Guyana chapter on August 7, the organisation said Wednesday… more
RGD going digital
Jamaica – THE Registrar General’s Department (RGD) is about to commence the digitisation of its business processes… more
Technology In Focus | Jamaica Pushes Towards Digital Society Goal
Jamaica – Imagine being able to visit one website to conduct all government transactions… more
Transforming Ja’s BPO industry: Why GSS is needed in 2019
Jamaica – Business process outsourcing (BPO) has taken its place in the global business landscape as one of the fastest-growing sectors… more
Woman says cyber bully ruining her life
Jamaica – Mary* has spent 25 years making her name in the medical field, and in less than three months, a woman who she describes as a nuisance has managed to tear it all down… more
CANTO 2019 – Futuristic Wednesday
Regional – Aptly themed “Futuristic Wednesday”, the final day of CANTO’s 35th Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition endorsed the Conference’s prevailing view that the future is here… more
ePayment solutions global provider expands in Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago – PaySett Corporation, a global provider of ePayment solutions and JMMB Group, is expanding their partnership to drive up electronic payments adoption in Trinidad and Tobago… more
Making smarter cities starts with a plan
Trinidad and Tobago – There is general agreement within the region that digital transformation is not only desirable; it’s both necessary and overdue… more
Technological upgrade for disabled persons courtesy TATT
Trinidad and Tobago – Persons with disabilities will now benefit from subsidised mobile devices and video assistant service, an initiative launched by the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) on Tuesday… more
Thursday, 25 July 2019
BTC’s Existential Crisis: The Writing’s On The Wall
Bahamas – It’s difficult and incredibly painful to witness the current state of affairs over at the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC)… more
BTC Spots ‘Chinks In Cable’s Armour’
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) top executive believes there are “chinks in the armour” at Cable Bahamas that it can exploit to win back market share… more
PwC launches digital skills training programme for employees in the Caribbean
Bahamas – The PwC network firms operating in the Caribbean are launching an internal training programme to boost the skills of its employees across the region… more
Belize Telecommunications Industry 2019 Global Market Size, Share, Future Growth, Sales Revenue and Key Drivers Analysis Research Report 2025
Belize – The Belize Telecommunications report – 8th series from provides a complete view of the Belize telecom ecosystem along with trends and growth factors shaping the future of the market… more
Digi opens new signature store at Mirab!
Belize – Digicell Belize has opened its new signature store at Mirab in Belize City… more
Dominica Telecommunications Industry Global Market Size, Growth, Share, Supply, Demand, Segments and Forecast 2019-2025
Dominica – The Dominica Telecommunications report — 8th series from provides a complete view of the Dominica telecom ecosystem along with trends and growth factors shaping the future of the market… more
Haiti Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband Market Drivers, Trends, Opportunities and Industry Key Players – Natcom, HaiTel, Digicel | 2019-2023
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
BPO Operators, Hoteliers Want Talks With Liberty Over Network Stability
Jamaica – Stakeholders in the business process outsourcing (BPO) and hospitality sectors in western Jamaica are calling on Cable & Wireless to improve its infrastructure in the region to match the rapid upsurge in commercial operations… more
Gov’t guarding against cyber threats – Chang
Jamaica – Minister of National Security, Dr Horace Chang, says the Government is committed to putting strategies in place in order to protect the country against cyber threats… more
Tufton pleased with progress of UHWI digitisation
Jamaica – With the Tony Thwaites Wing now close to finalising digitisation, the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton and his team did a tour of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) facilities to assess the progress of the software currently being used… more
Caribbean hotelier says get online or get left behind
Regional – Leading Caribbean hotelier, Sanovnik Destang, executive director of Bay Gardens Resorts in St. Lucia, is encouraging fellow tourism industry professionals to fully embrace the use of technology if they want to drive business to their hotels, restaurants and attractions… more
Cable Company Attempts To Keep Up Amidst Competition
Saint Kitts and Nevis – In trying to keep up with nowadays competitive options regarding entertainment and TV-watching, The Cable has upgraded its services which include 59 extra channels being added to its 16-channel basic package having recently launched Ultra TV, effective next month in offering better value to customers… more
Flowing to the top
Trinidad and Tobago – This week, Kurleigh Prescod turns 40. And it’s not the only milestone he will achieve this year… more
Friday, 26 July 2019
GB Tech Hub Committee Meets to Create Strong Framework
Bahamas – Minister of State for Grand Bahama in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator the Hon. J. Kwasi Thompson declared the technological future is ‘now,’ as he addressed the recent Tech Hub Committee Meeting at British Colonial Hilton… more
US – Grenada join forces to digitize crime and violence data
Grenada – On July 24, the United States government, in collaboration with the government of Grenada, launched a Police Records Management Information System (PRMIS) that will help the Grenada police force to improve data management and analysis… more
Digicel sends Kingston and Tiger Bay kids to computer camp
Guyana – Schools are out for the holidays and Digicel Guyana is reaching out to the community to send a number of children to an all-expense paid computer summer camp at Global Technology… more
GTT cell site tower collapses at Diamond
Guyana – GTT mobile coverage will be downgraded in the Diamond, East Bank Demerara Highway… more
Cyber duppy know who fi frighten!
Jamaica – Wednesday’s edition of the Jamaica Observer carried a story under the headline ‘American news anchor appeared to Jamaican judge’ which shares the harrowing story of a woman who was being harassed and threatened by her ex… more
BUSINESS BYTE: FLOW – Collaboration needed to create digital region
Regional – C&W Communications (C&W) demonstrated an impressive array of global and regional ICT expertise at the 35th Annual CANTO Conference in Trinidad… more
ECCB Trying Out Digital Version Of EC Dollar
Regional – The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) is presently focused on carrying out a blockchain technology exercise geared towards testing the digital version of the EC dollar within financial companies on a regional scale including the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis… more
Caribbean Airlines launches mobile app
Regional – Caribbean Airlines recently launched a mobile app, the latest of its digital products… more
Digicel Advised To Sell Assets Or Add Fresh Capital
Regional – Ratings agency Fitch is suggesting that Digicel Group consider raising new capital or sell additional assets in order to prepare for its next payout on maturing bonds… more
St Kitts-Nevis first country in OECS to offer e-services for motor vehicle licensing
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The Inland Revenue Department will be extending its e-service platform to include e-Driver and Motor Vehicle registration licensing… more
Walters Touts E-Services Upgrade, Upcoming Local Talent Channel for The Cable
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Patricia Walters, Chief Executive Officer of The Cable, noted coming upgrades in structure and programming for the telecommunication company in a Wednesday appearance on the Working for You programme… more
Hackers hit 6 Trinidad gov’t websites
Trinidad and Tobago – Websites belonging to the Ministry of National Security and the Minister of the Attorney General were among several government websites targetted by Brazilian hackers Thursday… more
Guy Fawkes makes cameo appearance on hacked Trinidad and Tobago government websites
Trinidad and Tobago – On July 25, key Trinidad and Tobago government web sites, including those belonging to the Ministry of National Security, the Immigration Division and the Attorney General’s office, were hacked… more
Newest Real Estate Search Technology In Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago – Propsnoop.com is Trinidad and Tobago’s #1 real estate search engine which connects registered professional real estate agents to interested home buyers… more
Saturday, 27 July 2019
GTT offering free bill payments through MMG
Guyana – The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has announced that the payment of bills through its Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) service will be free from August 1st… more
Act to establish ICT authority passed in Senate
Jamaica – The Senate yesterday passed the Information and Communications Technology Authority Act, which seeks to improve the use of technology across government ministries… more
Sunday, 28 July 2019
Smart City surveillance cameras operational …Chinese-built system has facial, car licence recognition capacity
Guyana – With eyes on the city, there is no place for criminals to hide. Citizens can feel much safer… more
Is social media our future or the future of our demise?
Regional – A popular Instagrammer went on a Live rant some weeks ago. It went something like this: He suspected that Instagram was messing with his likes because, based on his large following and the meagre number of likes that his recent posts had amassed, something didn’t add up… more
GINet to Benefit more Communities
Saint Lucia – The 2010 Population and Housing Census states that 43.3% of Saint Lucia’s population had access to the Internet… more
Electrical power damage caused loss of CableTV, CableNet and TelTV services Saturday.
Sint Maarten – TelEm Group says an electrical spike at the CableTV Headend in Madame Estate caused damage to equipment leading to interruptions in CableTV, Cablenet and TelTV services Saturday… more
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