A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 16 September to Sunday 22 September 2019.
Monday, 16 September 2019
BTC and Aliv still finalizing terms of post-Dorian roaming agreement
Bahamas – Mobile network providers BTC and Aliv are still finalizing the terms of a roaming agreement, according to Carlton Smith, the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority’s (URCA) Director of Electronic Communications (DEC), who noted that the regulator had approved an extension to allow the company’s to solidify the arrangement… more
TSTT stalls NEL’s financial report
Trinidad and Tobago – The $356 million debt still owed to the Telecommunication Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) by the Ministry of National Security has delayed the company’s financial reports for more than three months… more
Tuesday, 17 September 2019
GTT facilitates help for those in hurricane-ravaged Bahamas
Bahamas – The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) says it is making it easy and possible to assist with hurricane relief efforts in The Bahamas… more
GTT runs backup fibre cable between New Hope and Timehri
Guyana – Customers of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), who are located on the East Bank of Demerara, can expect reduced downtime in all GTT services following the construction of a secondary fibre cable in the New Hope to Timehri areas… more
GTT says East Bank Demerara customers to see less downtime
Guyana – Customers of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), who are located on the East Bank of Demerara, can expect reduced downtime in all GTT services following the installation of a secondary fibre cable in the New Hope to Timehri areas… more
The International Port of Cap Haitien joined the Octopi TOS system
Haiti – Navis Operational and Technological Service Provider that is part of Cargotec, the owner of the Octopi TOS operating system, for Small Container and Mixed Freight terminals based on delocalized storage (Cloud), announces that the International Port of Haitian Cap , operated by the Cap Terminal SA (CTSA) in Haiti, joined the Octopi TOS system… more
Numerous IT deficiencies at Jamaica Customs Agency, Auditor General reports
Jamaica – The Auditor General has uncovered a number of Information Technology (IT) deficiencies at the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) for the financial years 2014/2015 to 2016/2017… more
Mayreau should have better quality internet connection by the end of this year – IT minister
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Residents of Mayreau and other islands in the Grenadines will soon have better Internet connection thanks to the Caribbean Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (CARCIP)… more
Over EC$35,000 worth of ICT equipment donated to Mayreau
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Persons on the Grenadine island of Mayreau are now better equipped to access Information and Communications Technology (ICT) training… more
Wednesday, 18 September 2019
Aliv announces launch of Bahamian charity aggregator, Aliv Together
Bahamas – Aliv has announced the launch of its Bahamian charity ‘aggregator’ ‘Aliv Together’, which will provide a single access point for those interested in donating to registered charities and non-profit organizations (NPOs) in The Bahamas… more
BTC Lowers Roaming Agreement Period On Restoration ‘Pick-Up’
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) yesterday said it is no longer pursuing 30 days free roaming for Abaco and Grand Bahama subscribers because restoration has “picked up in earnest”… more
Florida-based UAS Team Documents Dorian Damage in the Bahamas
Bahamas – An unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) team recently surveyed damage in the Bahamas in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, providing situational awareness to local government officials… more
Hot Meals for Thousands as BTC Teams Up with World Central Kitchen
Bahamas – As thousands of Bahamians continue to be in need of food, water and shelter, The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), through the Cable & Wireless Charitable Foundation (CWCF), today announced its partnership with World Central Kitchen (WCK)… more
Local businesses donate tablets for less fortunate HLSCC students
British Virgin islands – Three local businesses have donated electronic tablets to the H Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC). These devices are to assist less fortunate students with their studies… more
Fintech adoption expected to increase quickly
Cayman Islands – Earlier this summer, consulting firm EY released a report highlighting that financial technology (fintech) adoption among consumers nearly doubled over the past 18 months, and the adoption rate was growing faster than anticipated… more
Tech deal still not public a year after signing
Cayman Islands – More than a year after the Ministry of Commerce entered into a deal with TechCayman, a business platform with the goal of attracting information technology entrepreneurs to the Cayman Islands, government has released another, but still redacted, version of the agreement under the Freedom of Information Law… more
WiFi projectors donated to fourteen secondary schools
Dominica – Fourteen (14) secondary schools on island are beneficiaries of WiFi Projectors courtesy of the Dominica Secondary Schools Supporters (DASSSA)… more
GTT sets up text system for Bahamas hurricane victims
Guyana – The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) said it is making it possible to assist with hurricane relief efforts in the Bahamas… more
Auditor general says there are information technology deficiencies at Customs
Jamaica – The auditor general has uncovered a number of information technology deficiencies at the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) for the fiscal period 2014-2015 to 2016-2017… more
Technology In Focus | Ready Or Not, Industry 5.0 Is Coming – Experts Call For Innovative Ways Of Preparing Workforce For New Tech Era
Jamaica – Although some organisations are just beginning to tap into the Fourth Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0, technological innovators are not waiting around and are already racing towards a version of a Fifth Industrial Revolution called ‘Industry 5.0… more
Galaxy Note10+ Receives ‘excellent’ A+ grade from DisplayMate
Trinidad and Tobago – The results of DisplayMate’s comprehensive tests are in, and the world’s leading evaluator of video screens has concluded that the Galaxy Note10+ establishes a bold new standard for mobile displays – one that’s deserving of the firm’s highest-ever Excellent A+ grade… more
More needed to encourage digital agriculture
Trinidad and Tobago – If T&T’s agriculture sector has to move forward, policies are needed for supermarkets to buy from farmers and private sector investment is also necessary to advise farmers on agricultural planning as is successfully done in St Lucia and Jamaica, says Agricultural Society president Dhanoo Sookoo… more
Thursday, 19 September 2019
2019 Future Of Anguilla Telecommunications Market Trends, Outlook and Growth Opportunities 2025
Anguilla – The future value proposition for telecommunications market in Anguilla to 2025 is detailed in the report… more
BTC looking to more ‘tower sharing’ deals with Aliv
Bahamas – Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) Chief Executive Officer Garfield “Garry” Sinclair said the company will be focused on concluding more tower sharing arrangements with its mobile competitor Aliv in its post-Dorian restoration efforts… more
BTC restores Marsh Harbour site
Bahamas – Mobile services are now available at BTC’s Marsh Harbour Airport cellular tower the company has confirmed… more
2019 Future Of Belize Telecommunications Market- Trends, Outlook and Growth Opportunities of Mobile, Fixed Landline and Broadband Markets
Belize – The report presents detailed insights into Belize mobile communication, fixed telephone and fixed broadband markets… more
Data crucial to compete in modern world
Guyana – In 2013, as a young entrepreneur, Abigail Loncke started her business which unfortunately flopped… more
High-tech agri boost
Jamaica – BUSINESSMAN Gassan Azan is to unveil plans today to invest more than $11 billion to create a state-of-the-art agricultural development on 400 acres in the Lakes Pen area of the Bernard Lodge lands in St Catherine… more
Local IT provider completing build-out of digital e-commerce platform
Jamaica – IT solutions provider, Advanced Integrated Systems has revealed that it’s well advanced in the completion of a digital e-commerce platform called Q-Mall… more
Banks, in the forefront of e-commerce
Trinidad and Tobago – When it comes to e-commerce, are local businesses conducting transactions electronically? What about online? … more
TT needs digital, legal identity
Trinidad and Tobago – Every citizen of TT should have a physical and digital legal identity, said Nirad Tewarie, CEO of Amcham TT as he made the case for digital transformation of the government… more
Friday, 20 September 2019
Victoria Mutual acquires shares in Barbados-based FinTech Carilend
Barbados – Victoria Mutual Investment Limited (VMIL) has acquired a 30 per cent stake in Carilend, a Barbados-based financial technologies (FinTech) company, that is said to have revolutionised borrowing and lending in the Caribbean… more
Ivan Tesecum to be BTL’s new CEO
Belize – Ivan Tesecum, whose current title at the Belize Telemedia Limited is currently Chief Financial Officer (CFO), will be taking over as the company’s official Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on September 24, 2019… more
GTT concerned over E-Networks subsea cable laying
Guyana – The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has voiced concern over E-Networks currently laying a subsea cable in the absence of necessary approvals, while warning that the operation could jeopardise its own services… more
Phone Call Frenzy – Former Petrojam GM Racks Up $1m Bill In A Month
Jamaica – Chairman of Parliament’s Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) Dr Wykeham McNeill says the parliamentary oversight body will probe the $1 million phone bill racked up by former Petrojam boss Floyd Grindley… more
Digicel upgrades to new SportsMax app
Regional – Digicel has completed upgrades to its LTE network, which the company says doubles the usual LTE speed to allow glitch-free streaming of schoolboy football matches via the new SportsMax app which has replaced the Digicel PlayGo app from last season… more
Icode784 competition will be focusing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals – Knights
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – The National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission’s (NTRC) annual “Ideas and Innovation/iSquared (i2) competition” has been renamed “The icode784 competition… more
St. Maarten Tourism Bureau in search of website developers.
Saint Maarten – The St. Maarten Tourism Bureau is requesting proposals from agencies with website design and development experience to provide services to revamp the official destination website: www.vacationstmaarten.com … more
Saturday, 21 September 2019
Cyber experts’ concerns
Barbados – There are good aspects but some concerns about Barbados’ cyber situation, says a cyber and forensic consultant… more
Prime Minister Promises Laptops for Teachers and Students
Belize – During his speech on the 21st of September, PM Barrow outlined an education program to be sponsored by the Government owned phone company Telemedia. Free laptops and labs for every student and and subsidies given to students at all Government Schools… more
E-Networks says has ‘all necessary approvals’ for subsea cable project
Guyana – Following concerns raised by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) company, cable and internet services provider E-Networks yesterday indicated that it had received the necessary approvals to land a subsea cable here, even as the Ministry of Public Telecommunications remained silent on the issue… more
Laying of subsea cable… E-Networks says it’s fully compliant
Guyana – The telecoms sector appears to be revving up. There is confirmation now that another subsea fibre optic cable is coming, opening the possibilities of faster internet for the country… more
More telephone cable coming and GTT vex
Guyana – There was a time when Guyanese use to pay through dem nose to talk to relative overseas… more
Low bandwidth affects Internet connectivity in schools
Trinidad Tobago – Low bandwidth is one of the greatest challenges hindering the smooth installation of Internet connectivity in schools across the country, Minister of Education Michael Browne said… more
Social media activist seeks details on bids
Trinidad Tobago – Social media activist Suzette Louwe, through her attorney Emir Crowne, is seeking details on the bids and evaluations that led to the Patriotic Energy and Technologies Company Ltd (PETCL) topping the bidders list to obtain the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery… more
Sunday, 22 September 2019
Two cable TV operators taken to court over outstanding fees
Guyana – The Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) on Friday announced that it has taken legal actions against three broadcasters who failed to honour their financial obligations to the authority… more
AIS new e-commerce platform could excite ‘5 in 4’
Jamaica – Leading IT solutions provider Advanced Integrated Systems (AIS) is optimistic that its new comprehensive e-commerce platform, Q-Mall, could open up the Caribbean for Jamaica’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)… more
Halsall To Roll Out Q-Mall Platform
Jamaica – Advanced Integrated Systems Limited, (AIS), a tech solution company formed by Douglas Hallsall some 30 years, is finalising plans for the soft launch of an e-commerce platform called Q-Mall next month… more
Health + Tech | Deciding On A Telemedicine Partner
Jamaica – In the past few years, a number of telemedicine vendors have entered the local market… more
TechBeach Retreat launches FinTech conference in Bermuda
Jamaica – Financial technology will take centre stage at the inaugural FinTech: Innovation Island conference in Bermuda from October 17-18, 2019… more
Time for a new national broadcasting policy
Trinidad and Tobago – The issues raised over the BBC report earlier this week and the Prime Minister’s characterisation of the role of the BBC brings into sharp focus the question of the Government’s view of TTT’s role in Trinidad and Tobago… more
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