A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 10 August to Sunday 16 August 2020.
Monday, 10 August 2020
Increased global demand for laptops delaying BVI’s shipment for 500 devices
British Virgin islands – Minister for Education Dr Natalio Wheatley has said the 500 laptops which were ordered to facilitate online learning in the territory have not yet arrived… more
Cuba claims over one million 4G users
Cuba – Cuba’s sole telecoms provider, the state-owned ETECSA (Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba) has claimed via social media that it now has over one million 4G users… more
Digicel Jamaica activates COVID protocol after employee tests positive
Jamaica – A member of the Digicel Jamaica staff has been confirmed as having tested positive for COVID-19… more
HEART/NSTA Trust Instructors, Students Certified In Optoelectronic Technology
Jamaica – If you have ever stopped to admire the running lights on your dream car or seen the smart lights in a home that respond through motion detection, then you have glimpsed the world of optoelectronic technology… more
TSTT’s e-Tender – improving business efficiency and driving competitive advantage locally and abroad
Trinidad and Tobago – Several small, medium and large businesses on both the local and international markets have begun modernizing their procurement processes by implementing TSTT’s e-Tender platform… more
Tuesday, 11 August 2020
IT expert warns about cyber attacks
Jamaica – There has been an uptick in suspicious cyber security related activities locally over the last few months, according to Gordon Christopher Reckord, CEO for tTech, an information technology service provider… more
Fintech and securities markets
Trinidad and Tobago – AS Financial Technology (Fintech) alters the attributes of financial services and market structures, financial regulation is also adapting. Among other things, Fintech products and service providers are streamlining business processes, which allow customers the opportunity… more
Wednesday, 12 August 2020
Digital Payments Provider Eyes 50k Year-End Users
Bahamas – A Bahamian digital payments provider yesterday said the COVID-19 pandemic has helped it exceed first-year expectations “by almost 100 percent” as it targets 50,000 active users by 2020 year-end… more
Government considers new underwater network cable
Cayman Islands – Government has issued a request for information tender for a new submarine information and communications technology cable… more
Flow Foundation To Roll Out Digital Education, Entrepreneurship Programme
Jamaica – The Flow Foundation is to roll out a $60 million national development pilot programme in support of digital education and entrepreneurship across Jamaica… more
OfReg seeks public input on consumer protection
Cayman Islands – The Utility Regulation and Competition Office (OfReg) has launched a public consultation on the long-awaited Consumer Protection Regulations for the energy and water utilities sector… more
Gordon Swaby, Innovator
Jamaica – You are never too young to innovate. That must have been the mantra of Gordon Swaby when at 15 he created one of the largest video gaming resources websites in the Caribbean… more
Jamaica must guard against cybercriminals, says Fortinet director
Jamaica – THE importance of protecting Jamaica’s vital infrastructure is reinforced in Fortinet’s 2020 State of Operational Technology and Cybersecurity Report… more
tTech makes $8.6-million profit for Q2
Jamaica – Managed IT services and consulting company tTech Limited yesterday reported an unaudited after-tax profit of $8.6 million for its second quarter ended June 30, 2020, despite a 45.4 per cent decrease over the previous corresponding period… more
Cyber Security Report 2020: Latin American, Caribbean countries lack professionals; Belize developing cyber policy
Regional – Тhе Іntеr-Аmеrісаn Ваnk аnd thе Оrgаnіzаtіоn оf Аmеrісаn Ѕtаtеѕ, іn іtѕ lаtеѕt аnnuаl rероrt оf Суbеr-ѕесurіtу іn Lаtіn Аmеrіса аnd thе Саrіbbеаn, hіghlіghtѕ thаt суbеr-ѕесurіtу іn соuntrіеѕ lіkе Веlіzе аnd оthеrѕ іn thе rеgіоn, іѕ ѕеvеrеlу lасkіng wіth ѕоmе gоvеrnmеntѕ hаvіng mаdе mоdеѕt рrоgrеѕѕ аnd оthеrѕ ѕtіll lаggіng bеhіnd іn thіѕ аrеа… more
NO FEAR — Technology in our lives
Regional – Fear of technology has dogged many people for some time. But the recent rush to use tech in so many aspects of our everyday lives is nothing short of revolutionary. Reducing the initial fears may be far more comfortable than we first imagined… more
WeInnovate, a robotics world for children
Trinidad and Tobago – WEINNOVATE, a robotics camp, is trying to broaden the perspectives of children by giving them real-life training in robotic engineering and computer programming… more
Thursday, 13 August 2020
Dr. Clarke Praises COK for Investing in Technology to Boost Operations
Jamaica – Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, has praised the management of COK Sodality Cooperative Credit Union Limited for investing in technology designed to enhance the entity’s operations and client service delivery… more
Postgraduate Students in ICT can apply for Research Grant
Jamaica – Postgraduate students studying in the field of information and communications technology (ICT) will now be able to apply for the ICT research grant of up to $15 million under the Universal Service Fund (USF) Tertiary ICT Graduate Research Grant Programme… more
Privy Council Dismisses Symbiote’s Appeal Request
Jamaica – The Privy Council has refused an application from Symbiote Investments Limited, which trades as Caricel, to seek permission to bring an appeal against a Court of Appeal ruling on the revocation of its telecommunications licences… more
E-money is coming
Trinidad and Tobago – On August 04, the Emoney Issuer Order was brought into law as part of the Financial Institutions Act, 2008. So what, you might be asking, is emoney? … more
Rescuing old computers from digital oblivion
Trinidad and Tobago – The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society (TTCS) is a largely informal group of computer enthusiasts who gather to discuss ICT issues, computing trends and to champion open source solutions for technology problems… more
Friday, 14 August 2020
‘Airbnbs Of Ocean’ Face Satellite Tracking Plans
Bahamas – A prominent realtor yesterday disclosed he is working on a “nano satellite” tracking app that would aid The Bahamas in regulating and taxing “the Airbnbs of the ocean”… more
GBPA donates $25,000 and launches Digital Food Vouchers to support the GB Food Distribution Task Force
Bahamas – The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) announces the launch of a digital food voucher programme in the Kanoo Pays app to support the efforts of the Grand Bahama Food Distribution Task Force to provide food for the most vulnerable families on Grand Bahama… more
‘Embrace virtual reality to sell Destination Barbados’ – firm
Barbados – Barbados and other Caribbean destinations have been encouraged to tap into the growing virtual reality (VR) market as they continue to adapt to a new normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic… more
Virgin Islands Park Plants Brazilian Tree That Can Charge Cell Phones.
British Virgin Islands – The Government of the Virgin Islands has received a donated Organic Photovoltaics Tree (OPTree) or Solar Tree to assist with its Green Energy initiative… more
Another rejection for Caricel
Jamaica – THE efforts of telecommunications operator Symbiote Investments have reached a dead end as the United Kingdom-based Privy Council has refused the company’s application for permission to appeal the Court of Appeal judgement on the revocation of its six telecommunications licences… more
COVID-19 Presents an Opportunity for Digital Transformation in the Caribbean
Regional – In keeping with CARICOM’s 2014 decision to establish the CARICOM region as a Single Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Space, in February 2017 the Heads of Government approved the Vision and Roadmap for the CARICOM Single ICT space to guide its implementation. The overarching objective of the Single ICT Space is to provide the digital layer to underpin the Caribbean Single Market Economy… more
Saturday, 15 August 2020
– Nil –
Sunday, 16 August 2020
– Nil –
Image credits: Gerd Altmann (Pixabay)
