A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 5 October to Sunday 11 October 2020.
Monday, 5 October 2020
Broadband provider set for virtual school start
Bahamas – As thousands of students in the government school system prepare to log onto their classes for the first day of virtual learning today, Head of Operations at BTC Andre Foster said the company’s network is prepared and should not be impacted by the extra load… more
Lowest number of Freedom of Information requests since inception of law
Cayman Islands – The number of Freedom of Information requests has dropped to the lowest point since the FOI Law took effect in Cayman on 5 Jan. 2009… more
Breaking: Guyana’s Telecoms Sector Formally Liberalised, Way Cleared for Lower Prices for Phone, Internet Services
Guyana – Prime Minister Mark Phillips late Monday night announced that Guyana formally broke the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph’s 30-year old monopoly on international voice and data, paving the way for fierce competition in the telecoms market ranging from cheaper phone calls to higher quality Internet and several other related services… more
400,000 May Be In Cyber Limbo – Online Deficit Could Leave Students Behind
Jamaica – Hundreds of thousands of Jamaican students may be unable to tap into online learning because of inaccessibility to computers at home as the academic year gets under way today, Education Minister Fayval Williams has said… more
Advertorial | Flow Connects Over 150 Communities To Fibre Network
Jamaica – Since the beginning of 2020, leading communications and entertainment provider, Flow, has connected over 150 communities and new developments through the build out of its fibre network as the company continues to invest in delivering services to the unserved and underserved across the country… more
Advertorial | Flow Delivering On Its Mission To Connect Jamaica
Jamaica – Since the beginning of 2020, leading communications and entertainment provider, Flow, has connected over 150 communities and new developments through the build-out of its fibre network as the company continues to invest in delivering services to the unserved and underserved across the country… more
Musson acquires Massy’s IT and communications business
Jamaica – Musson (Jamaica) Limited has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Massy Holdings Limited’s regional information technology (IT) and communications line of business (Massy Technologies)… more
Ministry launches ICT Lab for Adult Education Programme
Trinidad and Tobago – The Ministry of Social Development and Family Services (MSDFS) has set up an Information Communication Technology (ICT) Lab under the Adult Education Programme (AEP)… more
Tuesday, 6 October 2020
Cable Bahamas working to facilitate increased network demand, says top executive
Bahamas – Cable Bahamas’ top executive said the company has been working to facilitate the increased demand on its network due to remote learning and working… more
IT Provider Laments Slow Covid Solutions Take-Up
Bahamas – A Bahamian information technology (IT) provider yesterday lamented this nation’s slow adoption of solutions such as his queue-less product to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic… more
Complete digital processing of trade licenses coming in 2021
British Virgin Islands – Junior Minister for Trade & Economic Development Shereen Flax-Charles has announced a number of new initiatives which includes a new digital process for future trade license applications… more
Digicel, GTT promise vastly improved connectivity now telecoms sector is liberalised
Guyana – Digicel and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) on Tuesday said they were ready to vastly improve connectivity now that the country’s telecommunications sector has been formally liberalised with government’s full activation of the 2016 Telecommunications Act… more
DIGICEL hails liberalisation of telecoms sector
Guyana – Guyana is on the brink of a new dawn, Digicel – a communication giant in the Caribbean – said as it welcomed the move by the Guyanese Government to liberate the Telecommunications Sector, thereby bringing an end to aged old monopoly held by Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT)… more
E-Networks welcomes swift telecoms liberalisation by Gov’t
Guyana – Rakesh Puri, Chairman of E-Networks, today extended his sincere congratulations to the Government of Guyana on its bold move to swiftly liberalise the country’s telecommunications sector, ending the thirty-plus year monopoly… more
Haiti Hack: How Students Passed Data Science Program Despite Country’s Challenges
Haiti – The low battery light on Tchalens Jeudy’s laptop was on again. As he sat in his living room in Carrefour in July, the usual feeling of powerlessness, mixed with anger, creeped over Jeudy again… more
GeoTechVision’s Valrie Grant of Jamaica Wins Prestigious 2020 WE Empower Award
Jamaica – Jamaican geospatial scientist and Managing Director of GeoTechVision Jamaica, Valrie Grant, has won the 2020 WE Empower UN Sustainable Development Goals Challenge 2020 Award… more
Caribbean Jobs hits 15-year milestone in job recruitment
Regional – CaribbeanJobs.com is celebrating its 15th year of transforming the professional lives of Caribbean people, through connecting candidates with recruiters to secure their dream jobs across the region… more
Caribbean Tech businesses get new access to global gateway
Regional – As companies struggle to survive amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, a host of Caribbean technology businesses are poised to benefit from a major boost which will spur their further growth and scaling potential… more
Technology Key To The Future Of Education, Says Minister Of Education
Saint Kitts and Nevis – In his address to the nation on the occasion of World Teacher’s Day on October 05, Minister of Education, the Honourable Jonel Powell stated that it is difficult to imagine the future of education without technology… more
Creating an online space for children
Trinidad and Tobago – CUT OFF from her classroom during the Covid-19 pandemic in March, 32-year old teacher Kari Durrant got creative… more
Digicel ready for digital economy, says CEO
Trinidad and Tobago – Telecommunications company Digicel said it supports the move by the government of Trinidad and Tobago to transform the country into a digital economy… more
Digicel T&T wins Ookla Speedtest Award for third straight year
Trinidad and Tobago – Digicel Trinidad and Tobago was designated the Fastest Mobile Network and Best Mobile Coverage in the 2020 Ookla Speedtest Awards, making it the go-to place for a superior mobile data experience… more
Technology—key to embracing new normal
Trinidad and Tobago – WHEN the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce partnered with telecoms leader, bmobile, to introduce a new category in the Champions of Business awards, there was no indication that a pandemic was on the horizon… more
Wednesday, 7 October 2020
Belize Registrar of Companies launch website to facilitate digital transactions
Belize – The Belize Registrar of Companies and Corporate Affairs (BCCAR) today announced the launch of the BCCAR website www.belizecompaniesregistry.gov.bz… more
Digicel, E-Networks welcome liberalization of Telecoms Sector
Guyana – Digicel and locally-owned operator, E-Networks, have expressed their delight with and welcomed the government’s move to liberalize the Telecommunications Sector, thereby ending the 30 year monopoly by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT)… more
Telecoms providers signal expansion plans with end of monopoly
Guyana – Following the ending of the telecommunications monopoly, three licensed service providers yesterday signalled expansion plans, including bringing 5G services here, even as Attorney General Anil Nandlall reminded that the new operating regime will ensure “true fees, charges and taxes” are paid to the state… more
Hold-Out Digicel Bondholders To Lose US$84m
Jamaica – Bondholders will likely lose the principal on their investment, worth US$84 million ($12 billion), arising from the September maturation of two Digicel bonds that were refinanced… more
It is Cyber Security Month
Jamaica – Regular users of many Internet-based services have faced an increase in cybersecurity threats since the novel coronavirus pandemic and this has led to IT security risks taking up a lot of your time… more
New Kingston smart city initiative gets big boost
Jamaica – The long awaited development of New Kingston as Jamaica’s first smart city has gotten a big boost to accelerate the project, which has been talked about for nearly a decade… more
Time for AI in Parliament!
Jamaica – ONE of the things we inherited from the British parliamentary system is the practice of keeping record of debates. Hansard is a “substantially verbatim” report of what is said in sessions at Jamaica House where members’ contributions are captured by stenographers and then edited to remove repetitions and apparent mistakes without losing the intention of the speaker… more
World podcaster Heneka Watkis-Porter
Jamaica – ONE of the hallmarks of Jamaica’s achievements in the digital world may have gone unnoticed by many. Topping the podium for worldwide podcasts is Heneka Watkis-Porter, an outstanding radio personality who transformed audio into one of the most significant successes of the digital world… more
5G on the way to French overseas territories
Regional – Arcep – l’Autorité de régulation des communications électroniques, des postes et de la distribution de la presse, aka the French telecoms regulator – has launched a public consultation linked to a number of French overseas territories… more
Technology Key To The Future Of Education, Says Minister Of Education
Saint Kitts and Nevis – In his address to the nation on the occasion of World Teacher’s Day on October 05, Minister of Education, the Honourable Jonel Powell stated that it is difficult to imagine the future of education without technology… more
Colm Imbert says Trinidad & Tobago to become a digital economy
Trinidad and Tobago – In delivering his Budget Presentation for fiscal 2020-2021, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said that Trinidad and Tobago is set to become a digital economy… more
Thursday, 8 October 2020
Improves Cyber Security Aids Corporate Resilience
Bahamas – It would be misleading to state or infer that cyber security management and compliance are easy tasks… more
JAMPRO launches first phase of National Business Portal
Jamaica – Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) has launched the first phase of the National Business Portal (NBP)… more
Public invited to take part in cybersecurity for a
Jamaica – Members of the public are being urged to participate in the virtual fora for Cybersecurity Awareness Month, particularly in light of the global shift towards remote learning and working from home… more
Caribbean Operator Digicel Deploys Evolving Systems’ Evolution Platform on Microsoft Azure for CVM Campaign Management Program
Regional – Evolving Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: EVOL), a leader in real-time digital engagement solutions and services, is proud to announce that its fully scalable Evolution platform has been deployed at Digicel… more
Digicel cops Ookla Speedtest awards throughout the Caribbean
Regional – Digicel copped the 2020 Ookla Speedtest Award for Fastest Mobile Network in the Caribbean, while also picking up a raft of other individual market awards thanks to its focus on speed and coverage… more
Digicel St. Lucia earns Ookla ® Speedtest Award TM for the Best Mobile Coverage in St. Lucia
Saint Lucia – Digicel St. Lucia was designated Best Mobile Network Coverage in the 2020 Ookla Speedtest Awards, making it the go-to network for a seamless mobile network coverage experience in St Lucia… more
TelEm Group announces complimentary TelCell Sim Card postal surprise.
Sint Maarten – 500 lucky St. Maarten residents have received FREE TelCell mobile SIM Cards complete with $10 credit in a TelEm Group “Gift Giving” promotion throughout the island… more
Digicel supports TT digital transformation
Trinidad and Tobago – Digicel supports the move by the government of Trinidad and Tobago to transform the country into a digital economy, and is confident that its network is the most prepared for the transformation… more
Massy group exits ICT sector
Trinidad and Tobago – Massy Holdings Ltd has announced that effective September 20, 2020, the company sold its Trinidad and Guyana ICT businesses, Massy Technologies to PBS Technology Group… more
Massy Group sells two companies as it exits ICT business
Trinidad and Tobago – The Massy Group has exited the information technology and communications business with the sale of two of its companies, Massy Technologies (Trinidad) Ltd and Massy Technologies (Guyana) Ltd… more
Friday, 9 October 2020
Understanding the Cybercrime Law
Belize – At its most basic level, cybercrime encompasses carrying out illegal activities by way of the internet or electronic devices… more
Website launch marks free access to all CI legislation
Cayman Islands – The Attorney General and the Portfolio of Legal Affairs has announced the launch of the Cayman Islands’ dedicated legislation website at legislation.gov.ky… more
Dominican Republic looking towards 5G auctions
Dominican Republic – The Dominican Republic’s president Luis Abinader has called for the country’s regulator to begin tendering for 5G spectrum… more
Telecoms Liberalisation creates level playing field – President Ali
Guyana – The liberalization of Guyana’s telecommunications sector will create a level playing field in the sector while having far-reaching benefits for the people, President Irfaan Ali said… more
Thousands Of Guyana Teachers Taking Information And Communication Technology Training Classes
Guyana – More than half of the nation’s teachers have already registered for the ProFuturo Online training program… more
BPO reopens after COVID-19 scare
Jamaica – A day after public health officials ordered the closure of Teleperformance call centre it reopened its doors, a move lauded by Minister of Health Christopher Tufton during a tour of the facility where 18 workers have tested positive for COVID-19… more
C&WJ Shareholder To Sue Telecoms In Jamaica
Jamaica – Cable & Wireless Jamaica, C&WJ, shareholder Eric Jason Abrahams will file his claim against the telecommunications company in the Jamaican Supreme Court… more
Tablet worries for 700 on PATH
Jamaica – ALMOST half the student population at Enid Bennett High School in Bog Walk, St Catherine, are on the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), raising major concerns that they could be further challenged due to mandatory homeschooling brought on by the novel coronavirus pandemic… more
St. Kitts-Nevis COVID- 19 App Will Help With Management Of Incoming Travellers
Saint Kitts and Nevis – All incoming travellers to St. Kitts and Nevis will be asked to download a national COVID-19 mobile application to assist aAPuthorities with the necessary monitoring to protect against the spread of the global pandemic… more
DigicelTT switches on 700 mhz spectrum, spending $30m on network expansion
Trinidad and Tobago – On October 01, 2020, Digicel got the 700mhz frequency allocation it’s been asking for since announcing 4G mobile service… more
Saturday, 10 October 2020
GT&T will now be forced to get its act together
Guyana – DEAR EDITOR, Kaieteur News – At last the liberalising in the communications sector in Guyana is an old wish come through for me and the time for GT&T to take their knees off the necks of their greatly dissatisfied customers’ necks. GT&T is the worst utility provider in the country and hereunder is the reason for my comment… more
Liberalisation of Telecoms Sector creates a level playing field – President Irfaan Ali
Guyana – President Irfaan Ali has said that benefits from the recently liberalised telecommunications sector in Guyana will have far-reaching impacts… more
Online entities to benefit from Govt. ads too
Guyana – With the aim of ensuring wide coverage, Minister of Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, revealed that online entities have now been added to the list of existing agencies to receive government advertisements… more
World Bank Supports Digital Connectivity in Haiti to Build Resilience
Haiti – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved today a US$60 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA) for the Haiti Digital Acceleration Project… more
Halls of Learning to offer online STEM courses
Jamaica – HALLS of Learning Jamaica (HOL) has announced that, starting this school year, it will be facilitating a variety of online courses in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to help supplement in-school learning while providing Jamaican students with useful skills and exposing them to opportunities within these fields… more
Ja-CIRT Calls on Citizens to Report Cybercrime
Jamaica – As the nation observes Cybersecurity Month this October, citizens are being urged by the Jamaica Cybersecurity Incident Response Team (Ja-CIRT) to report cybercrime to the police, especially given the increased online usage brought on by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic… more
Sunday, 11 October 2020
Launch of a Haitian digital health and telemedicine platform
Haiti – Friday, October 9 at Quisqueya University (UNIQ), during the closing ceremony of the Telemedicine week (October 5 to 9), the team of the company “LASWENYAY”, in partnership with the Haitian Society of Telemedicine has officially launched their health and telemedicine platform, which will allow thousands of people to access health services remotely via a mobile application… more
Digicel wins popular vote for excellent customer service at 2020 JaCSA Awards
Jamaica – DIGICEL emerged as the winner of the ‘Jamaica Speaks’ Popular Vote Award at the 2020 Jamaica Customer Service Association (JaCSA) Awards… more
IDB Lab, TechBeach Retreat partner to support 200 Caribbean tech start-ups
Jamaica – As companies struggle to survive during the novel coronavirus pandemic, a host of Caribbean technology businesses are poised to benefit from a technical cooperation agreement between the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Lab and TechBeach Retreat… more
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