A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 21 September to Sunday 27 September 2020.
Monday, 21 September 2020
Scotiabank Bahamas continues investment in technologies
Bahamas – Scotiabank Bahamas plans to continue its investment in the latest banking technologies to provide greater convenience for customers, and help minimize banking disruptions amid the ongoing health crisis… more
BTL Board to appoint independent auditor and move quickly to investigate allegations by former Board Chairman
Belize – Веlіzе Теlеmеdіа Lіmіtеd (ВТL) іѕѕuеd а rеlеаѕе dеmоnѕtrаtіng thаt thе Воаrd іѕ tаkіng іmmеdіаtе асtіоn tо “аѕѕеѕѕ аnd іnvеѕtіgаtе аn аllеgаtіоn оf thе mіѕuѕе оf thе соmраnу сrеdіt саrd” bу Nеѕtоr Vаѕquеz, fоrmеr Сhаіrmаn оf thе ВТL Воаrd… more
Loan-to-Own programme implemented on computer devices for students
British Virgin Islands – With computers and tablet devices now a necessity for the 2020/2021 academic year, the Ministry of Education has implemented a Loan-to-Own programme geared towards benefitting in-need students… more
Cayman companies file second-most blockchain patents in US
Cayman Islands – Cayman-registered companies have filed the second largest number of blockchain patents in the United States, trailing only US firms, according to research by KISSPatent… more
Smartphone app could assess COVID risk status
Cayman Islands – A smartphone app that could allow users to ‘prove’ their COVID-status has been developed in Cayman… more
Digicel Dominica extends FTTH footprint to northern localities
Dominica – Dominican operator Digicel has announced a further expansion of its fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network on the island to mark the 3-year anniversary of the passing of Hurricane Maria, reports Dominica News Online, citing the company’s CEO Nikima Royer Jno Baptiste… more
GTT fully restores landline services to Region 3 customers
Guyana – The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) says it restored landline services to customers in Region 3 on Sunday, completing underwater repairs ahead of schedule… more
New data protection law coming- PM Phillips
Guyana – Prime Minister Mark Phillips said a law would be be drafted to protect electronic information being provided by citizens to the government and money has been already set aside to do this in the 2020 National Budget… more
18-y-o furthers education with Digicel Free Service for Life prize
Jamaica – Only one day after his 18th birthday, aspiring network technician, Andre Shaw, received just the boost he needed to continue his online learning program – a call from IRIE FM informing him that he was the latest winner in the Digicel Free Service for Life promotion… more
Little Bay Primary and Infant begins classes with satellite Internet service
Jamaica – Grade six students at Little Bay Primary and Infant School in Westmoreland were able last week to begin preparation for the Primary Exit Profile (PEP), thanks to satellite Internet service provided by ReadyTV… more
Tuesday, 22 September 2020
Cable To Repay $30m-Plus Debt
Bahamas – Cable Bahamas yesterday confirmed it has moved into the second stage of its balance sheet restructuring by unveiling the early redemption of $30m-plus in preference shares… more
Flow moving VG operations strictly online
British Virgin Islands – Telecommunications company Flow has announced that all their operations on Virgin Gorda will move online as of October 31… more
Large number of coaches available for teachers ICT training
Guyana – The Ministry of Education last week launched a mass training programme to better equip local teachers to use information and communications technology (ICT) to reach learners… more
GraceKennedy donates 210 tablets and laptops to schools
Jamaica – GraceKennedy Limited (GK), through its Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation, today (September 21) donated 210 tablets and laptops valued at approximately $5.2 million, to 10 schools and six of the company’s homework centres in Kingston… more
TATT to mediate between telecom giants
Trinidad and Tobago – A HIGH Court judge has stayed a dispute between TT’s two mobile telecom providers to allow the Telecommunications Authority (TATT) to mediate on a complaint by Digicel who wants its competitor, TSTT, to stop rejecting its subscribers who want to port (switch) their TSTT numbers to the Digicel network… more
TTSEC launches EASi platform
Trinidad and Tobago – THE TT Securities and Exchange Commission (TTSEC) launched on Tuesday, its online business solution to the securities market which it expects will revolutionise the way the securities industry is regulated… more
TTSEC launches online business solution, EASi
Trinidad and Tobago – The Trinidad and Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission (TTSEC) has launched its online business solution to the securities market… more
Wednesday, 23 September 2020
Harrogate firm launches track and trace app for Bahamas Government
Bahamas – Instant communication mobile solutions provider Mobile Tornado has announced that Hubbcat, its partner in the Caribbean, has successfully deployed a Covid-19 quarantine track and trace program utilising the Harrogate-based firm’s PTT (push to talk) solution, with the Government of The Bahamas… more
GOVERNMENT TO UPDATE COMPUTER MISUSE ACT
Barbados – The Government is making provisions to update the Computer Misuse Act… more
Belize Health App is now live
Belize – After months of development, the Belize Health Mobile Application (Belize Health App) for tourists coming into the country is now officially online… more
ADVERTORIAL | Education Sector Must Digitally Transform To Address Challenges
Jamaica – The COVID-19 pandemic revised the reopening date of the September school term to early October, as the country continues to battle to contain the spread of the coronavirus, which is in the community transmission phase… more
IBEX Pumps US$2.3m Into Ocho Rios Expansion
Jamaica – Business process outsourcing company IBEX is pumping US$2.3 million into its fourth contact centre, located in Ocho Rios, St Ann… more
Laptops Scarce – As Government Cans Face-To-Face Classes, New Challenge Emerges
Jamaica – Having run into headwinds of opposition from principals and other education stakeholders, the Holness administration has backtracked on its bullish plan to phase in face-to-face classes in October amid a monthlong spike in COVID-19 deaths and infections… more
Significant increase in customer complaints to OUR in 2020 April-June quarter
Jamaica – THE Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) is reporting a significant jump in the number of utility customer complaints during the 2020 April-June quarter… more
Time for full digitisation of radio
Jamaica – WE at the Jamaica Observer have a stake in the transformation of Jamaica into a digital society. It would give us a tremendous opportunity to continue to better serve our loyal audiences who expect us to be ‘Always Ahead’… more
Time for the digital switch
Jamaica – WE live and compete in a digital world, with the new Administration’s election manifesto highlighting a digital society as imperative… more
Yes To GIS Mapping
Jamaica – THE EDITOR, Madam: Jamaica has a long way to go, and the integration of science and technology across different sectors tells me good news – that Jamaica is preparing for take-off… more
tTech getting ready to offer data compliance services
Jamaica – Aspiring to be the first, Chris Reckord, chief executive officer (CEO) of tTech Limited, says the company will be rolling out its data protection IT compliance services shortly… more
Mastercard, WiPay partner to advance e-payments across the Caribbean
Regional – Mastercard has partnered with fintech WiPay as both companies strive to establish a strong foothold in the Caribbean region… more
More drama, more fun, more action, more local — PlayGo is Anytime, Anywhere, Any Device TV & Movie
Saint Lucia – There’s a new kid on the block in the entertainment world with the intro of the new all-singing, all-dancing PlayGo app available right now in the Google Play and Apple app stores… more
TelEm discontinues employee savings plan, union not pleased
Sint Maarten – St. Maarten Communication Union (SMCU) representing workers at TelEm Group is voicing its disapproval with the company reportedly putting an end to the employee savings plan… more
TSTT CEO resigns after 14 years at company
Trinidad and Tobago – The Chief Executive Officer of the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (TSTT), Dr Ronald Walcott, has resigned effective October 1… more
Young IT expert offers his services for free to parents, pupils
Trinidad and Tobago – Shivam Teelucksingh, a certified technician from Point Fortin, is offering his services without charge to parents and students in need… more
Thursday, 24 September 2020
Don’t Take Data Protection Lightly
Bahamas – Strong governance requires effective management at its core. Governance, risk and compliance (GRC) have, over the past decade, expanded from standalone and abstract disciplines to arguably the most important functions in a business… more
Flow records COVID spike in digital use
Barbados – The COVID-19 pandemic has produced a leap in digitisation larger than ever seen before… more
Digicel rolls out safe, free delivery service for LTE SIM swops
Jamaica – o make it easier for everyone to stay safe and maintain social distancing when carrying out everyday activities, Digicel is introducing a convenient, free delivery option for mobile customers to get home or office delivery for their required upgrade to a new LTE SIM… more
NCB launches solution to open accounts without a branch visit
Jamaica – National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited (NCB) says it is furthering its efforts to enable Jamaicans to bank safely from home with the launch of an online solution that allows new customers to open a regular savings account without visiting a branch… more
Govt. phone bills NAf. 19.4M over budget over past 5 years
Sint Maarten – Government has had to fork up NAf. 19.4 million over what it budgeted to cover phone bills over the past five years… more
An IT strategy for home schooling
Trinidad and Tobago – With the promise of a reduction in taxes on laptops and tablets, some parents may be budgeting for a system that their child or children can use to access online learning… more
Friday, 25 September 2020
The Bahamas Reveal Details, October Date of Landmark Central Bank Digital Currency Debut
Bahamas – The Bahamas confirmed it will cross the central bank digital currency (CBDC) finish line next month… more
Cybercrime Bill 2020
Belize – The Cybercrime Bill 2020 is now a real thing and will soon be brought into law. The Bill went through its second and third reading today in the House of Representatives… more
Cyber Crime Bill approved by House of Representatives
Belize – Міnіѕtеr оf Еduсаtіоn, Yоuth, Ѕроrtѕ аnd Сulturе whісh аlѕо hаѕ rеѕроnѕіbіlіtу fоr ѕсіеnсе аnd tесhnоlоgу, Раtrісk Fаbеr, ѕауѕ thеrе іѕ аlwауѕ аn орроrtunіtу tо fіх lеgіѕlаtіоn, but thіѕ іѕ а bіраrtіѕаn ѕtаrt… more
Peru and Dominican Republic green light Lleida.net e-signature processes
Dominican Republic – Spanish technology company Lleida.net, a specialist in secure messaging, announced that its registered notification and contracting services have received official accreditation in the Dominican Republic and Peru… more
State media
Guyana – Minister Kwame McCoy who holds responsibility for Public Affairs within the Office of the Prime Minister told Stabroek News in an interview that the government could see no immediate reason for disbanding any section of the state media… more
A virtual 2020 JAPEX
Jamaica – Jamaica’s premier tourism and attractions trade show, Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) is still on for November 9-11, in spite of COVID-19 restrictions… more
Digicel staff members benefit from webinar on conflict resolution
Jamaica – Digicel Jamaica staff members benefited from a training session in conflict resolution on Monday in celebration of the United Nations’ International Day of Peace… more
Experts to discuss digital entrepreneurship at Joan Duncan lecture
Jamaica – The focus on the opportunities provided by digital entrepreneurship for economic development, will take centre stage at the 7th annual Joan Duncan Memorial Lecture, which is being broadcast live on TVJ on Sunday, September 27 at 3 pm… more
iCreate teams with Code Fellows to offer coding, data security courses
Jamaica – Digital training institute iCreate has announced a partnership with US-based computer training school Code Fellows which will expand iCreate’s course offerings to include software development, ops and cybersecurity… more
ECLAC sees digitalisation as gateway to regional economic reform
Regional – Digital transformation can help Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region recover more quickly from the COVID‑19 crisis, according to the Latin American Economic Outlook (LEO) 2020: Digital Transformation for Building Back Better… more
Digicel offers free data to SEA students for one month
Trinidad and Tobago – Digicel Trinidad and Tobago will be giving students who sat the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) exam free mobile service and data for one month… more
Saturday, 26 September 2020
Antiguans invited to participate in free virtual bitcoin SV event CoinGeek conference LIVE
Antigua and Barbuda – Special Economic Envoy to Antigua and Barbuda, Ambassador Calvin Ayre, is inviting both the technologically savvy and the novice alike, to be better-informed about the utility of blockchain technology, specifically Bitcoin SV (BSV)… more
FOCUS ON CYBERSECURITY CRITICAL
Barbados – AS the Government moves rapidly along with their digital transformation agenda, it is critical for more focus to be placed on cybersecurity… more
Cyber-crime legislated: “The rules as we know it in social media will be no more”
Belize – Іn ѕuрроrt оf thе Суbеr Сrіmе Віll, 2020, Lаkе Іndереndеnсе аrеа rерrеѕеntаtіvе Соrdеl Нуdе раіd trіbutе tо thоѕе whо соuld hаvе mоѕt bеnеfіtеd frоm іt… more
The advancement of technology
Belize – In times gone by, life was simple. And I am not talking one hundred years ago. We need not look that far. I am talking the seventies and the eighties… more
Tablet turn-around
Belize – Last month UDP Leader Elect and Minister of Education Hon. Patrick Faber announced his plans for the launch of a “distance learning” program that would shape the way children receive their education outside of the classroom due to COVID-29 restraints… more
GTT introduces its Blaze service to Parika
Guyana – The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) have expanded its Blaze services to Parika to the benefit of 550 households… more
CDB approves grant to enhance remote learning for UWI students
Regional – The board of directors of the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved a grant of US$200,000 to assist young people across the region who lack technological devices and internet access in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic… more
Sunday, 27 September 2020
Peart urges MSMEs to utilise social media for target marketing
Jamaica – Chief executive officer of BlueDot Insights Larren Peart is encouraging micro, small, and medium-size enterprises (MSMEs) to utilise social media to collect primary data in order to gain a better understanding of and serve their target market… more
Yaneek Page | Starting A Global Tech Firm With Less Than US$1,000
Regional – In my last column, published on September 13, I shared ideas and advice on how those who’ve lost jobs to the pandemic may pivot, upskill, and strategically rebrand to find scarce job opportunities amid the crisis… more
Changing fortunes of media in TT
Trinidad and Tobago – OVER the past ten to 15 years, several newspapers with large readerships across the globe have closed due to low advertising and sales… more
Image credits: Dennis Skley (flickr); Belize Web; Wikipedia; Facebook; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikipedia;
