A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 16 March to Sunday 22 March 2020.
Monday, 16 March 2020
BUSINESS BYTE: Statement by Flow on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Dominica – We are facing an unprecedented situation with the Coronavirus. Developments are rapidly occurring. Decisions are being made in real-time that affect our colleagues, our families and our communities… more
Dominican banks apply protocols with technology
Dominican Republic – The Dominican Republic Commercial Banks Association (ABA) on Mon. said that its 18 members abide by Public Health Ministry recommendations and World Health Organization (WHO) protocols to contain coronavirus, declared a pandemic… more
COVID-19 telephone numbers zero-rated — Fayval Williams
Jamaica – Jamaica’s two major telecommunication providers – Digicel and Cable and Wireless (FLOW) – have agreed to zero-rate access to all novel coronavirus (COVID-19) numbers in use by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, effective Friday, Minister of Science, Energy and Technology Fayval Williams announced weekend… more
Internet Bullies Cause Safety Concerns For Judge In Grant- Powell Vs. Tanzil Case
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Social media users threatening violence in reference to resident judge Eddy Ventose- from St.Lucia- has caused local and regional judiciary groups to be concerned for his safety and are calling on wrong doers to stop behaving in such manner… more
Coronavirus: Limit use of cash; make use of online, mobile banking — Saint Lucia bankers
Saint Lucia – The Bankers Association of Saint Lucia has been monitoring the global and regional developments as it relates to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and we continue to do so with heightened awareness following the announcement of Saint Lucia’s first COVID 19 case on Friday, March 13th, 2020… more
SALCC rapidly scales-up online instruction
Saint Lucia – The Sir Arthur Lewis Community College has moved rapidly to scale-up online delivery of academic courses given the suspension of face-to-face classes which came into effect on Monday March 16, 2020… more
Best tech for working from home
Trinidad and Tobago – As confirmed coronavirus cases increase worldwide, more businesses are mandating employees work from home… more
Bmobile zero-rates 12 websites for covid19 access
Trinidad and Tobago – BMOBILE has zero rated 12 websites for customers to access accurate information and news on covid19… more
T&TEC urges online payments
Trinidad and Tobago – As the provider of an essential service, the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission is committed to maintaining its high level of service to customers as the country collectively adopts measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus)… more
Tuesday, 17 March 2020
Growth & Jobs | Address ‘Digital Divide’ To Facilitate Rural Development
Jamaica – St Ann-based banker Dr Ransford Davidson is suggesting that a partnership between the Government and the private sector could assist to address what he observes as being a ‘digital divide’ affecting the pace of rural development… more
Growth & Jobs | MSMES Urged To Leverage Technology
Jamaica – With the micro and small Enterprises (MSME) sector contributing $80.4 billion in revenue in 2018, and accounting for some 35 per cent of jobs in the Jamaican economy, the sector is being urged to leverage technology to facilitate further growth… more
Companies gearing up for remote workers
Trinidad and Tobago – ONE telecommunications company is planning for an increase in traffic on both their full fibre and mobile networks in Trinidad and across the Caribbean as more and more companies are allowing their employees to work from home via technology amidst the deadly COVID-19 outbreak… more
Wednesday, 18 March 2020
Penn calls for Internet Exchange Point to manage heavier online traffic from COVID-19 response
British Virgin Islands – Opposition Leader Marlon Penn has said he believes the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) and local internet service providers should find common ground to establish the long-discussed Internet Exchange Point (IXP) in the British Virgin Islands… more
ADVERTORIAL| Bringing Your Own Device To Work Can Benefit Employers
Jamaica – “What’s mine is yours and what’s yours is mine” is an old idiom, which is often used to express generosity in relationships… more
Flow takes additional steps to serve customers
Jamaica – Flow Jamaica today announced several additional measures that the company has put in place for its retail and technical operations to further protect its team and its customers… more
Letter from Flow to customers
Saint Lucia – Dear Valued Customers and Partners, We are facing an unprecedented situation with the Coronavirus. Developments are rapidly occurring. Decisions are being made in real-time that affect our families, colleagues and our communities… more
How Synapse created a digital workplace
Trinidad and Tobago – On Monday, the Caribbean Ideas Synapse team was already planning to work from home as part of a company experiment in remote working protocol. However, that day the Prime Minister announced stricter government measures to reduce the spread of the coronavirus… more
Judiciary uses technology to cope with covid19
Trinidad and Tobago – A HIGH Court judge has fallen ill with the flu and is suffering from mild pneumonia forcing him to suspend sitting on cases so he can remain at home… more
Thursday, 19 March 2020
ALIV committed to supporting customers amidst COVID-19
Bahamas – ALIV has begun company-wide social distancing measures but branded outlets will remain open as the provider monitors COVID-19 developments… more
Educators to be trained in alternative learning platforms as schools undergo closure
British Virgin Islands – Educators in the British Virgin Islands will be trained in alternative learning platforms in the next few days as all local schools undergo an initial 14-day closure… more
Telecoms companies implement new measures in response to COVID-19 threat
British Virgin Islands – Local telecommunications providers have adjusted a number of their policies in light of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to protect the safety of customers and employees in the British Virgin Islands… more
GTT extends bill payment period; increases payment points – promises to promote social distancing
Guyana – To keep its customers electronically connected and to promote social distancing, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has extended its bill payment period, beginning April 17, 2020, to the 17th of each following month and has swiftly moved to secure new and additional points of payment for ease of access… more
GTT makes COVID-19 hotlines toll free
Guyana – The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) on Wednesday confirmed that after interactions with officials from the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), the company has decided to make all Covid-19 hotline numbers toll free… more
BPO sector implements measures for safer workspace amid COVID-19
Jamaica – In light of the spread of the coronavirus locally, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies have implemented measures aimed at protecting their employees… more
Digicel joins forces with Ministry of Health in fight against COVID-19
Jamaica – Digicel customers are now able to receive timely, accurate text message updates on the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation as a result of a public education partnership between Digicel and the Ministry of Health and Wellness… more
Jamaican Gov’t allocates $1.2 Billion for Jamaica Eye, CCTV
Jamaica – The Government will be ramping up the mounting of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at locations across the island under Jamaica Eye… more
Technology Platform Of JCF Expanded
Jamaica – The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) technology platform has been expanded to accommodate a greater number of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, which will enable officers to monitor more public spaces… more
Digicel International helps families stay connected during the times of uncertainty
Regional – During this time, where all of us have to take extra precautions and most likely stay at home, being able to talk to the people we care for the most is extremely important… more
Digicel offers relief to customers during coronavirus crisis
Trinidad and Tobago – Free calls to health care providers, zero-rated news websites, discounts on plans and free data all form part of Digicel’s response to customers’ needs, as people start working remotely in efforts to stop the spread of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19)… more
Friday, 20 March 2020
BPO sector welcomes policy to work remotely
Jamaica – President of the Global Services Association of Jamaica (GSAJ) Gloria Henry is happy with Government’s decision to allow players in the sector to work from home due to the novel coronavirus threat… more
Computer Waiver Boosts Work-At-Home For BPOs
Jamaica – The Global Services Association of Jamaica (GSAJ) has welcomed the positive response by the Government to its request for a waiver on computers to be used by select employees under a work-from-home (WAH) arrangement as the nation combats the spread of the novel coronavirus… more
Jamaica National Hit By Major Cyber Attack
Jamaica – The Jamaica National Group is reporting that one of its systems suffered a ransomware attack that saw the data of some members and customers being stolen… more
More pressure on Caricel bosses
Jamaica – The tug-of-war involving local law enforcement agencies — Symbiote Investments Limited, which trades as Caricel, and Xtrinet Limited, which reportedly purchased the spectrum licence issued to Symbiote — is heating up… more
FLOW Company Statement
Saint Kitts and Nevis – We are closely monitoring the evolving situation surrounding the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and are following guidance from the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO)… more
Jury trials suspended, High Court civil matters to be heard via Skype
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – JURY TRIALS at the Criminal High Courts have been suspended and telecommunications software Skype will be used to hear matters at the Civil High Courts… more
TelEm field technicians given new COVID-19 instructions
Saint Maarten – TelEm Group is putting strict safety measures in place for Outside Plant (OSP) and technical staff who are coming into contact with customers and members of the public each day to carry out new installations and effect repairs… more
Saturday, 21 March 2020
Barbados: New delivery service launched to promote social distancing, help curb COVID-19 spread
Barbados – E-Commerce Entrepreneurs and Attorneys, Lily Dash and Sophie Bannister have launched WiFetch — a delivery service to support the call for social distancing in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19… more
Caricel Officials Charged
Jamaica – Officials of Symbiote Investments Limited, which trades as Caricel, were among several persons on Thursday charged with breaches of the Telecommunications Act following a ruling by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions…. more
JN Waive Some Fees After Cyberattack
Jamaica – A sophisticated cyberattack was unleashed on the JN Bank this week sending the financial institution’s cybersecurity team into defence mode as they took swift action to contain the effects of the malware and to identify the source of the onslaught… more
Sunday, 22 March 2020
NCB customer makes $38 million online transaction error
Jamaica – Dear Claudienne, I have been exhausted, battered and bruised by officers of two commercial banks that I have been communicating with about their poor customer service on-line-portal… more
Image credits: Free-Photos (Pixabay); Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Guyana Chronicle; Wikipedia
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