A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 12 July to Sunday 19 July 2020.
Monday, 13 July 2020
2020 FUTURE OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA TELECOMMUNICATIONS MARKET- TRENDS, OUTLOOK AND GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES OF MOBILE, FIXED LANDLINE AND BROADBAND MARKETS
Antigua and Barbuda – This intensive research report on the Antigua and Barbuda Telecommunications Market submitted is a go-to, ready-to use market intelligence document, intended to equip readers with highly versatile and decisive market specific information and data, intended to trigger remunerative business discretion on the part of stakeholders comprising transport service providers, government bodies, as well as regulatory associations… more
More staff cuts coming at Cable Bahamas, Aliv
Bahamas – Cable Bahamas and Aliv plan to make adjustments to staffing levels in the near future, Guardian Business understands. Staff were apprised of the move in a digital general meeting… more
Rihanna Helps Schools in Barbados by Donating 4,000 Tablets to Educational Institutions
Barbados – The singer, fashion entrepreneur, and philanthropic, has been doing everything she can to use her wealth and platform for the causes most dear to her, and this time she is helping her home country’s children… more
2020 FUTURE OF JAMAICA TELECOMMUNICATIONS MARKET- TRENDS, OUTLOOK AND GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES OF MOBILE, FIXED LANDLINE AND BROADBAND MARKETS
Jamaica – This intensive research report on the Jamaica Telecommunications Market submitted is a go-to, ready-to use market intelligence document, intended to equip readers with highly versatile and decisive market specific information and data, intended to trigger remunerative business discretion on the part of stakeholders comprising transport service providers, government bodies, as well as regulatory associations… more
Caribbean Data Centre Market Report 2020: Country Profiles, Key Deployments by Country, Key Providers by Region, Forecasts
Regional – Data Centre Caribbean 2020 Report provides an overview of 20 Country Markets in the Caribbean region, including Anguilla, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Curacao, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Montserrat, Jamaica, Panama, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, the Turks & Caicos, and the US Virgin Islands… more
CSOD launches mentorship programme to support students
Regional – The Caribbean School of Data (CSOD), which has been providing disadvantaged youth with data and digital skills, has taken its initiative one step further by announcing a mentorship programme and online community… more
Oliver Coughlan to lead Digicel’s Caribbean and Central America operations
Regional – Oliver Coughlan, the former chief executive officer (CEO) of Digicel Pacific Limited, has been appointed to the new role of chief executive of Digicel’s operations in the Caribbean and Central America. He will report to Denis O’Brien, Digicel’s chairman and founder… more
Supporting technological transformation
Trinidad and Tobago – Students across Trinidad and Tobago have been given a technological edge through the distribution of laptops by energy company bp Trinidad and Tobago (bpTT), which took place at the head office of the Rose Foundation on Oxford Street, Port of Spain, last week… more
Tuesday, 14 July 2020
Cable Bahamas Axes 87 Staff On Furlough
Bahamas – Cable Bahamas’ top executive yesterday admitted that hopes the COVID-19 crisis would “be short term” have been dashed as it permanently terminated 87 staff… more
Cable Bahamas Group reduces staff by 11.5%
Bahamas – The Cable Bahamas Group has reduced its employee complement by 11.5 percent, making most of those laid off in April redundant and adding several more to the count, as the company continues to suffer economically due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic… more
Cable Warily Eyes $300m Preference Debt Maturity
Bahamas – Cable Bahamas is warily eyeing the need to repay more than $300m in preference share debt over a five-year period from 2023 to 2027, its top executive said yesterday… more
OfReg to appear before PAC
Cayman Islands – The Public Accounts Committee will resume its hearing Wednesday as it enquires into the operations of OfReg and the findings of the auditor general’s audit into the local utilities regulator… more
Outsourcing Sector’s Work At Home Regime Gathering Steam
Jamaica – The Global Services Association of Jamaica (GSAJ) is now in talks with key regulatory services to develop the operating standards for a sustainable work-at-home regime by September 19 as the arrangement sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be employed by many firms… more
Manuel Otero | Digital Revolution To Tackle COVID-19 And Fight Rural Poverty
Regional – Sixteen million family farmers live and work in rural areas in Latin America and the Caribbean. Along with their families, they represent the backbone of the agriculture industry, ensuring the food and nutritional security of the region… more
BATTLE READY BUSINESSES EMERGE FROM COVID -19 BETTER THAN EVER
Trinidad and Tobago – Since mid-March, Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) has had a front row seat and supporting role in seeing many of our local businesses, from all spheres, nimble and determined, transform their operations to weather a crisis unprecedented… more
Towards frictionless digital government
Trinidad and Tobago – AS T&T enters a new phase of economic activity while continuing to face the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, it would be appropriate to discuss how the public sector can accelerate its digital transformation and technology adoption to improve the ease of doing business to meet future needs… more
Wednesday, 15 July 2020
The Bahamas Edges Closer to Hurricane-Proof Digital Currency
Bahamas – The Bahamas central bank said it is progressing toward the full launch of a mobile phone-based digital currency (CBDC) it’s betting can withstand the battering of a Category 5 hurricane… more
OfReg chairman takes aim at audit report
Cayman Islands – OfReg chairman Linford Pierson went on the offensive Wednesday, taking aim at the auditor general’s performance audit into the local regulator and questioning the report’s validity and its objectivity… more
Campus Elite creates digital ‘Opportunity Network’ platform for tertiary students
Jamaica – AS companies rebound from the strains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, at least one has responded positively to the ongoing health crisis challenges by creating a fully digital platform to specifically aid tertiary students. The platform is called the Opportunity Network … more
Home is the new office
Jamaica – Thousands of office workers are now working from home as a result of the stringent measures implemented to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Companies and workers who may have been reluctant in the past have had to move quickly to embrace technology in order that they may maintain productivity… more
Jamaica needs to accelerate digital transformation
Jamaica – The world has entered the Fourth Industrial Revolution exemplified by the fusion of the digital, biological, and physical worlds, as well as the accelerated utilisation of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, robotics, 3D printing, the Internet of Things, and advanced wireless technologies, among other things… more
Sagicor Life sees 400% increase in use of digital insurance portals
Jamaica – Sagicor Life Jamaica is reporting a significant increase on its specialised digital portals as more of its clients pivot towards online transactions… more
Tech guru, Chris Reckord
Jamaica – For the record, Chris Reckord is a tech guru. It is not a title he will readily embrace, but his story confirms it… more
Home office tools
Regional – Here’s a list you will need to check if you plan to work from home. You may already have some due to your work, but there are special requirements if you are to be able to deliver as if you were in the office… more
You’re not too old to log on
Regional – It is nearly 50 years since the Internet was launched for general use and a whole generation has grown up knowing of nothing else. Yet many of those who lived long before the Internet revolution have embraced the possibilities which surprise many of a far younger generation… more
Unqueue – a new app for contactless shopping
Trinidad and Tobago – Agyei Archer and Andel Husbands looked at the problems that arose for shoppers during covid19 restrictions and decided to make an app for that… more
Thursday, 16 July 2020
Ministry of Education: Social media post false
Barbados – The Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training said today it has not yet issued information on the start of the new school year and a social media post, which claims otherwise, is false… more
‘More e-banking and digital payments’
Barbados – Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados Cleviston Haynes has reported a considerable increase in electronic banking and digital payment methods since April, at the height of the pandemic lockdown… more
BUSINESS BYTE: Flow enhances LTE Broadband Service
Dominica – Flow Dominica has evolved its popular LTE Broadband Service to provide greater connectivity and faster broadband speeds for customers who are unable to access the company’s fibre network… more
Earth Today | FLOW Tests Hurricane Readiness
Jamaica – FLOW JAMAICA recently completed its virtual multi-hazard simulation exercise as it tests its readiness, including the resilience, reliability and dependability of key service areas, for what could be a multi-hazard hurricane season amid the COVID-19 pandemic… more
Meaningful work for the digital professional
Regional – Satisfaction in work is a fundamental building block of a happy and successful life… more
Digital campaigning
Trinidad and Tobago – Digital campaigns are becoming increasingly significant in the local electoral context as political parties, whether big or small, garner support for the upcoming August 10 general election in light of COVID-19 restrictions… more
Tewarie: Tech startups improve the economy
Trinidad and Tobago – By nurturing tech startups, TT will develop other sectors such as technology, energy and emergency services… more
Friday, 17 July 2020
Online bullying on the rise
Barbados – Barbadian adults are being accused of actively participating in a growing culture of cyberbullying that is slipping “under the radar” and causing tremendous distress to citizens, particularly in the younger segments of the society… more
Chang Urged To Guard Against Misuse Of Wiretapping
Jamaica – Opposition Spokesman on National Security Fitz Jackson has cautioned against abuse of the amended Interception of Communications Act (2002), calling on Minister Horace Chang to guard against potential breaches… more
Rubis donates laptops, tablets and broadband to disadvantaged students
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Rubis West Indies Limited has contributed to the continuation of education in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) in these times of COVID-19 with the donation of laptops, electronic tablets, and free Internet… more
Saturday, 18 July 2020
Hackers Disrupt Build Expo, Demanding US$3,000 Ransom
Jamaica – Build Expo, the Montego Bay-based entity behind the annual three-day expo, which showcases design and construction from top regional and international professionals and market leaders, has fallen into the clutches of hackers, who have stolen their website and are demanding a US$3,000 ransom… more
UNICEF donates tablets to assist special needs students
Jamaica – THE United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has strengthened the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information’s capacity to facilitate continued learning among students with special needs… more
Young Benefactor Donates Tablets To The Needy
Jamaica – The fundraising efforts of young philanthropist Imani-Leigh Hall led to the donation of 42 seven-inch tablets for less fortunate students… more
Sunday, 19 July 2020
Data Processing Bill Seen As Having Reach Beyond Jamaica
Jamaica – Businesses engaged in the practice of using private information shared by customers, such as emails and telephone contact, to promote their operation, could find themselves facing fines of up to $2 million under the Data Protection Act, DPA… more
Flow, National Insurance issues solved
Jamaica – Dear Claudienne, I read your column in the Sunday Observer and am hoping that you can assist me with the problem I am having with Flow… more
Scotia Group fully embraces digital pathway
Jamaica – Scotia Group Jamaica Limited says it has been using the unprecedented circumstances surrounding COVID-19 as a learning experience for their operations. This they anticipate will place greater emphasis on digital transformation within the company and, by extension the wider Jamaica… more
Image credits: Bernard Goldbach (flickr); Bahamas Local; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikimedia Commons
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