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