A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 25 May to Sunday 31 May 2020.
Monday, 25 May 2020
Aliv’s ‘Triple Whammy’ Puts Revenue Off 15%
Bahamas – Aliv’s revenues are recovering from a “15 percent-plus” fall-off in April sparked by a “triple whammy” from the COVID-19 pandemic, the mobile operator’s top executive has revealed… more
Tuesday, 26 May 2020
Port Authority Hails Digital Payment Firm
Bahamas – A Bahamian digital payments solutions provider has launched its platform in Grand Bahama through the five-store Express Food Mart chain… more
TABLETS DONATED
Barbados – The Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training has been armed to make things a bit easier for a few more households in Barbados… more
Digicel celebrates 14 years in Dominica
Dominica – Digicel customers are in for a treat as the company celebrates 14 years of operations in Dominica… more
Jamaica PM Says Pandemic Shows Need for Online Transactions
Jamaica – PRIME Minister Andrew Holness says the Jamaican economy must now rapidly transition to online transactions, as the COVID-19 crisis has exposed the inefficiencies and riskiness of cash transactions… more
Connected Caribbean hosts online safety webinar on fake news
Regional – Trust is the first victim of the virus. The COVID-19 crisis has left many Internet users in the Caribbean searching online for urgent answers to difficult questions about how to stay safe in their homes and workplaces… more
Digicel debt ‘unsustainable’
Regional – DIGICEL mobile phones are in more hands and pockets than any other telecommunications company in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean… more
Digicel presents webinar showcasing innovative education solutions
Regional – The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted all spheres of life in an unprecedented way… more
Wednesday, 27 May 2020
Antigua’s Crypto Regulation Bill Passes Lower Parliament
Antigua and Barbuda – Antigua and Barbuda take steps towards becoming crypto-friendly destinations in the Caribbean region… more
App helps local companies build customer loyalty
Bahamas – Businesses have come to understand during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic the importance of customer loyalty and one technology company – Bahama Mobile Stamp – has been helping companies build customer loyalty with its app… more
BTC chief exec: Work from home productivity “through the roof”
Bahamas – BTC is looking to expand on its virtual store offering and make working from home a more permanent fixture of its operations going forward, according to the company’s Chief Executive Garfield ‘Garry’ Sinclair… more
Belize Economic Recovery Plan: Part V – DIGITIZATION
Belize – Іn рrеvіоuѕ аrtісlеѕ, thе јuѕtіfісаtіоn fоr, аnd ѕоmе соmроnеntѕ оf, Веlіzе’ѕ есоnоmіс rесоvеrу рlаn wаѕ рrеѕеntеd. Тhе рlаn fоr аgrісulturе, аn іnfrаѕtruсturе аnd соnѕtruсtіоn bооm, аnd іnduѕtrу ехраnѕіоn wеrе ѕhаrеd. Раrt V оf thе есоnоmіс rесоvеrу рlаn fосuѕеѕ оn DІGІТІZАТІОN… more
Salary cut negotiations to continue between Communications Workers Union and BTL
Belize – Тhе Веlіzе Соmmunісаtіоnѕ Wоrkеrѕ Unіоn (ВСWU) hаѕ рrераrеd а соuntеr-рrороѕаl fоr thе mаnаgеmеnt оf Веlіzе Теlеmеdіа Lіmіtеd (ВТL) rеgаrdіng а рrороѕеd tеmроrаrу ѕаlаrу сut… more
BOJ to begin pilot phase of electronic trading platform
Jamaica – The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ), will on June 1 begin the pilot phase of the electronic FX Trading Platform (FXTP)… more
ECTEL Announces The Passing Of Donnie De Freitas
Regional – It is with great sadness that we announce that Donnie Fitzgerald Fedelis De Freitas, former Managing Director and Director of Technical Services at ECTEL, died suddenly on Friday 22nd May 2020 in Suva, Fiji, where he resided and worked… more
Students to receive tablets from Thursday, May 28, says Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Students will receive their devices to facilitate virtual learning on May 28 at 9:00 a.m. at the Education Planning Division at Lockhart Street in St. Kitts and the Education Department at Marian Heights in Nevis, says Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, during his remarks at the May 26 National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) COVID-19 Daily Briefing… more
Thursday, 28 May 2020
Govt accelerating move to digital payment systems
Bahamas – The government, the Central Bank of The Bahamas (CBOB) and the Clearing Banks Association are accelerating the country’s move to digital payment systems by advancing the use of credit cards, debit cards and Sand Dollar transactions, and reducing the use of cash and checks over the next five years, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest revealed in his 2020/2021 budget communication yesterday… more
Two web shops file lawsuit against AG, prime minister
Bahamas – The Island Game and Paradise Games filed a lawsuit yesterday against the attorney general and Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis, in his role as the competent authority under the emergency orders, contending they acted outside of the scope of the authority given to them under the Emergency Powers Act… more
Guyana Telecommunications Market 2020: Industry, Size, Share, Demands, Growth, Opportunities, Trends Analysis and Forecast Till 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
Government Strengthening ICT Infrastructure – Minister
Jamaica – Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Fayval Williams, has reiterated the Government’s commitment to upgrade and strengthen the country’s information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure… more
The Cable, Flow and Digicel answer the call to support the Ministry of Education’s virtual learning initiative
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The Cable, FLOW and Digicel recently signed an agreement with the Ministry of Education to provide free broadband and other telecommunication services to all student households without internet in St. Kitts & Nevis… more
TelEm Group’s main building closed 2 days for deep cleaning
Sint Maarten – TelEm Group’s main building on Pond Island will be closed for two days to allow for a professional fumigation of offices and all public areas… more
Friday, 29 May 2020
Cable Bahamas restructures, plans virtual learning channel
Bahamas – Nassau-based Cable Bahamas Limited (CBL), which listed two preference stocks on the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) in 2017, says it has changed its strategic goals as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic… more
Microsoft Partners With Bahamian Founded Non-Profit For Social Impact Webinar
Bahamas – A Bahamian-founded non-profit, HAP, is organising a high level impact webinar in conjunction with Microsoft to collaborate and share thoughts on a world disrupted by COVID-19… more
PM Puts Web Shops In ‘Dice Roll’ Dilemma
Bahamas – Two Bahamian web shop operators must now “roll the dice” on whether to proceed with their legal action against the Prime Minister after he re-opened the industry less than 24 hours after its filing… more
Cyber criminals exploit COVID-19 crisis
Cayman Islands – Criminals are using the coronavirus crisis as bait to hook people into a variety of cyber-scams… more
GTT to re-open Camp and Robb retail location
Guyana – After re-opening several of its retail locations to facilitate bill payments and access to services, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) will be re-opening its Camp and Robb streets retail location on June 1, 2020, to better serve its customers… more
Gov’t committed to making Internet access a right, says minister
Jamaica – MINISTER of Science, Energy and Technology Fayval Williams says COVID-19 has brought into sharp focus the need to make access to the Internet a right for every citizen, adding that “we are committed to making this a reality for all Jamaicans”… more
Justin Morin appointed non-executive director of tTech
Jamaica – Managed IT services and consulting company tTech Limited has appointed Justin Morin as an independent non-executive director of the company, effective May 25, 2020… more
Scotiabank broadens ‘zero rated’ access to its mobile app
Jamaica – Scotiabank customers now have zero-rated data access to the newly relaunched Scotiabank Mobile App via both major telecommunications networks – Digicel and Flow, the financial institution said on Friday… more
Donnie – a true Caribbean man
Regional – It was with a sense of deep shock that I received the news of the sudden passing of Mr. Donnie De Freitas, a national of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) whom I first met in late 2000 at a meeting of the newly formed Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL)… more
Donnie DeFreitas was instrumental in the establishment of ECTEL
Regional – It was with a deep sadness and profound sense of loss that we at the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) learned of the sudden demise of Mr. Donnie Fitzgerald Fedelis De Freitas… more
Donnie was an institution
Regional – The Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) and the entire family of telecommunications regulators in the region have lost one its pioneers, Mr. Donnie De Freitas, who served as programme coordinator for telecommunications reform, and later the first Managing Director of ECTEL… more
400 laptops for teachers, provisions made to ensure internet is available in 700 homes in St. Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis – That’s Minister of Education, the Hon. Shawn Richards… more
NextGen SKN to reinstate Taiwan funded laptop programme
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP), NextGen SKN candidate for St Christopher 8, Dr Terrance Drew has given an assurance that the NEXTGEN labour party administration will reinstate the one-to-one lap top programme for Grade 5 students entering the high school as well as all high schools in the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis… more
In memory of a ‘Fallen Soldier’
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Donnie De Freitas will always be remembered in amateur radio circles in St Vincent and the Grenadines as the first Telecoms Officer, having been trained in Cuba… more
Vincentian Internet Pioneer dies in Fiji
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – The man credited with bringing the Internet to St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and helping to break the telecommunications monopolies in the OECS has died in Suva, Fiji at the age of 63 years… more
Free online Microsoft Suite training
Trinidad and Tobago – MICROSOFT Trinidad will host free virtual webinars in June to train people to fully utilise its Microsoft Suite… more
Saturday, 30 May 2020
Flow enhances internet for teachers
Barbados – In its commitment to keep the country connected, Flow Barbados has collaborated with the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) to boost the broadband experience of teachers who are Flow customers with enhanced internet services during this unprecedented and critical period of the next three months… more
Scotia app zero rated in Jamaica
Jamaica – Scotiabank customers now have zero-rated data access to the newly relaunched Scotiabank mobile app via both major telecommunications networks – Digicel and Flow… more
Ministry Of Education’s Device Distribution Begins
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Parents and guardians were given the opportunity to collect tablets for students during the Ministry of Education’s device distribution process which began on Thursday May 28 2020… more
Sunday, 31 May 2020
Work-from-home shift taxes internet infrastructure
Cayman Islands – As work patterns shift from office to home, Cayman’s telecommunications infrastructure is feeling the strain… more
Billy Craig Insurance Brokers launches new all-in-one web portal
Jamaica – With the increasing need to conduct business virtually Billy Craig Insurance Brokers has launched a new online portal — a singular hub through which clients can conduct all their business in the areas of employer and public liability as well as group personal accident insurance in one convenient location… more
Entire BPO Sector Unfairly Tainted By One Outbreak, Laments Henry – Several Firms Set To Continue Remote Working Arrangements As Order Expires
Jamaica – AS MANY companies look to have more staff return to the office tomorrow as the work-from-home order issued as part of the COVID-19 containment measures expires, eyes will be focused on the outsourcing sector, where an outbreak at Alorica’s Portmore operations triggered a major shift in the country’s response to the pandemic… more
Over 130,000 students to benefit from Virtual Learning Platform
Regional – Over 130,000 kindergarten, primary and secondary school students across the Caribbean will benefit from the Flow Study program FREE of charge from now through June 15… more
Image credits: Suzy Hazelwood (Pexels); Brands of the World; ECTEL; Wikipedia; Wikimedia Commons; Wikipedia
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