A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 26 October to Sunday 1 November 2020.
Monday, 26 October 2020
Antigua Launches Covid-19 Web Site
Antigua and Barbuda – The Ministry of Information, Broadcasting, Telecommunications & Information Technology (MIBTIT) has embarked on launching a user friendly COVID-19 Website… more
Bahamians Told: Cyber Crime ‘Not If, But When’
Bahamas – Bahamian companies and individuals have been urged to adopt the “not if, but when” approach to combating hacking and other cyber crimes by a senior Central Bank information technology (IT) official… more
Manderson: Online portal eases load for ‘overwhelmed’ Travel Cayman
Cayman Islands – The transfer of services from TravelTime to Travel Cayman – entities tasked with handling travel to and from Cayman – did not go smoothly, and the new operator became overwhelmed with applications, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson acknowledged Monday… more
Students getting almost 3,000 laptops
Cayman Islands – A public-private sector initiative is working to provide 2,850 laptops to public-school students throughout Cayman… more
5G offer from America
Jamaica – The Jamaican Government is now studying a proposal from its American counterpart for a Fifth-Generation (5G) mobile technology service being rolled out here that would spare the island any costs associated with the investment… more
Gov’t should remove CET, lower GCT on digital devices
Jamaica – Dear Editor, The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC), the Jamaica Manufacturers & Exporters Association (JMEA), the Business Process Outsourcing Industry of Jamaica (BPIAJ), the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), the Council of Voluntary and Social Services (CVSS), and the MSME Alliance are urging the Government of Jamaica to remove all duties and taxes on mobile and digital equipment, mobile phones, software, tablets, computers, and related accessories, peripherals and other digital devices for a period of at least 24 months… more
US warns Jamaica against Chinese 5G
Jamaica – The United States has fired a shot across the bow of the Jamaican Government in relation to the installation of fifth generation (5G) mobile technology infrastructure, saying that any decision to engage China or a Chinese firm poses several risks to the island, particularly to the financial sector… more
Tuesday, 27 October 2020
Overseas digital suppliers need to be sensitized about Bahamian law, notes DPM
Bahamas – Commenting on the need for government to collect more tax revenue from overseas, online entities like Facebook and vacation home rental websites, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest said more has to be done to sensitize overseas suppliers of digital products to Bahamian law… more
FirstBank reports cybersecurity breach! Services minimally affected
British Virgin Islands – Another locally operated bank has reported a cybersecurity breach that affected a number of its services. However, the bank said, ‘early detection’ resulted in the quick resumption of some of the affected services… more
Online portal: Visitors must apply for BVI Gateway Certificate to enter
British Virgin Islands – Persons wishing to travel to the British Virgin Islands when the territory reopens to tourism in December are required to apply through the government’s newly-implemented online portal, BVI Gateway, to gain authorisation… more
Dominica government to borrow over $77 million for development of digital economy
Dominica – Government has obtained Parliamentary approval to borrow in excess of EC $77 million for the development of the digital economy in Dominica… more
Gov’t to Complete Handover of 40,000 Tablets Next Week
Jamaica – The Government will complete the distribution of 40,000 devices under the Tablets in Schools programme during the week of November 4… more
Telecoms Industry – Key To Ja’s Recovery And Growth
Jamaica – FLOW has been a steadfast partner in Jamaica’s development for over 150 years. Beginning with the installation of the subsea cable near Holland Bay connecting Jamaica to Europe, which allowed Cable & Wireless to provide international telecommunications services, our commitment to supporting the progress of the people and economy of Jamaica is stronger now more than ever… more
Urgent Need To Address Woes Of Online Learning
Jamaica – THE EDITOR, Madam: Since the closure of schools in early March, bringing in its wake a switch from face-to-face to online learning, I have watched as the woes of the students taking online classes grow exponentially… more
Cable & Wireless Business Applauded by Frost & Sullivan for Excelling as the Fastest-growing Communication Service Provider in LATAM
Regional – Based on its recent analysis of the hosted IP telephony and unified-communications-as-a-service (UCaaS) market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Cable & Wireless Business (C&W Business) with the 2020 Latin American and Caribbean Hosted IP Telephony and UCaaS Growth Excellence Frost Radar Award… more
Central bank digital currency in the Caribbean
Regional – What is central bank digital currency? A notion that has faced much resistance now looks to be gaining momentum and possibly even traction in some parts of the world… more
Huawei and CANTO Call for Collaboration to Develop ICT Talent in T&T
Regional – CANTO Secretary General Teresa Wankin and Huawei T&T CEO Jeff Jin are calling on all stakeholders in the ICT sector to collaborate to develop critically needed ICT skills in T&T… more
ePharm offers delivery via app as well as in-store service
Trinidad and Tobago – ePharm, a pharmacy based in Central Trinidad, has created a safer environment for customers through its delivery service via its mobile app, in addition to its Freeport store which will be opening in November… more
Wednesday, 28 October 2020
Allison Philbert steps down as CEO of Digicel Jamaica
Jamaica – Allison Philbert, CEO of Digicel Jamaica, has decided to step down from the role effective at the end of the year, it was announced Wednesday… more
Cashless, cardless, cordless purchasing
Jamaica – TRANSFORMING to a more technology-centred organisation can be intimidating for some, however, the goals of the organisation should be the focus… more
Educational Solution Takes Top Prize at CodeFest 2020
Jamaica – A team of five government employees, who designed an educational solution that seeks to ensure reliable connection for students, has emerged the winner of the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) CodeFest 2020 competition, taking the coveted cash prize of $400,000… more
H&L upgrades e-commerce platform
Jamaica – HARDWARE and Lumber Limited (H&L) will today launch its upgraded e-commerce platform in an effort to increase sales, expand customer service offerings and provide greater access to its products in store… more
Have Zoom, will not travel
Jamaica – WE are living in extraordinary times, speeding down the information highway at the speed of 5G, heading to destinations both familiar and unknown… more
Key Insurance engages digital strategy to grow revenues
Jamaica – Key Insurance has touted digitisation and the boosting of operational efficiencies as major parts of its continuous turnaround strategy to improve revenues… more
RJRGLEANER Group successfully completes pilot for wireless triple play
Jamaica – The RJRGLEANER Communications Group is one step closer to realising its wireless triple play ambitions… more
Scotiabank closing two branches, converting six others to digital
Jamaica – Scotia Group Jamaica has announced that it will close two branches and convert six others to a digital operating model due to changes in consumer behaviour, which the bank says has been accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic… more
Sagicor launches WhatsApp Channel in the region
Regional – Imagine a world where you can request a motor insurance quote, submit a medical claim, or get any information you need regarding your next insurance transaction, all via WhatsApp… more
E-waste an emerging threat to our marine environment
Trinidad and Tobago – In the aftermath of the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring the dreadful Covid-19 virus a pandemic on March 11, information communication technologies (ICT) and the use of electronic devices and gadgets have skyrocketed in Trinidad and Tobago… more
TT on the digital road
Trinidad and Tobago – When he set out the economic future of TT in the reading of the 2020/2021 budget on October 5, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said the country’s development “must be anchored on the newly emerging digital model… more
Thursday, 29 October 2020
Scotiabank: 93% Of Transactions At Closing Sites Digital
Bahamas – Scotiabank (Bahamas) top executive yesterday said 93 percent of transactions at the five branches it plans to close are now being conducted over self-service or digital banking channels… more
New digital services in high demand
Barbados – Barbados has made progress towards digitizing its economy… more
Finance minister tells design sector to go digital
Jamaica – MINISTER of Finance and the Public Service Dr Nigel Clarke has urged the local design industry to harness digital technology as part of a wider push to have the country rebound from the economic ravages of COVID-19… more
FLOW now paying RJRGLEANER Group for streaming free to air content
Jamaica – The RJRGLEANER Communications Group has announced that telecommunications company, FLOW, has started to pay the group for streaming its free to air television content… more
Growth Tech still bullish on free Wi-Fi
Jamaica – TECHNOLOGY company Growth Tech Ltd has been forced to rethink its strategy after COVID-19 slashed, by up to 40 per cent, the number of Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) riders that use its free Wi-Fi service… more
Huawei rejects claims that it poses a security threat to Jamaica
Jamaica – The Chinese firm Huawei Technologies has rejected claims that it could be a threat Jamaica’s security if it is given the nod to roll out the country’s 5G technology… more
JTA, student bodies back call for removal of taxes on digital devices
Jamaica – The Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA) has thrown its full support behind a call by several leading private sector organisations for the Government to remove all duties and taxes on devices such as laptops, tablets and mobile phones in a bid to increase online access to the most vulnerable students in the society, during the COVID-19 pandemic… more
US Ambassador Tapia Says Sorry For Controversial Tweets
Jamaica – United States (US) Ambassador Donald Tapia has apologised for controversial tweets made from his official Twitter account on Tuesday… more
Animae Caribe digitalco-operative launched
Regional – The Animae Caribe Festival, which is normally a highly interactive four-to-five-day experience, has been forced to adopt a few changes… more
Flow announces new small business plans
Regional – Local businesses are in for a telecommunication boost with today’s launch of ‘Flow Business’ and its simple, transparent, and customer-focused suite of products… more
St Kitts and Nevis’ mobile health app ready as country preapres to reopen its borders
Saint Kitts and Nevis – As the twin-island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis move ahead to reopen its borders, Chief Medical Officer Dr Hazel Laws provided new information on the ongoing plans and protocols… more
T&T’s Cyber Security Team reports increase in ransomware attacks
Trinidad and Tobago – The Trinidad and Tobago Cyber Security Incident Response Team (TT-CSIRT) has observed a significant increase in ransomware attacks targeting local organizations… more
Friday, 30 October 2020
MOE’s Tablets for High Schoolers are Here!
Belize – The first batch of the long awaited computer tablets are in country… more
Government launches Cyber Security Public Education Campaign
Cayman Islands – The Cayman Islands Government, through the Ministry of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure (CPI), joined the rest of the international community in observing Cyber Security Awareness Month in October… more
Amber Enters Four More Markets With Pandemic Tech
Jamaica – Technology firm Amber Group has secured a deal with four other Caribbean countries on what it describes as a tech tool for travel authorisation and border management, which includes the capability to track suspect coronavirus cases in quarantine… more
Digicel Hunting New CEO As Philbert Set To Depart
Jamaica – Digicel Jamaica is on the hunt for a new CEO, continuing the high turnover at the top that will see its sixth leader in eight years, with an average rotation of less than two years… more
Education Ministry Launches ‘One Laptop or Tablet Per Child’ Initiative
Jamaica – The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, on Thursday (October 29), officially launched its ‘One Laptop or Tablet Per Child’ initiative, which is designed to promote inclusivity in the education sector… more
Huawei offers 12 Jamaican students online learning experience
Jamaica – TELECOM giants Huawei will be gifting a total of 12 students from The University of the West Indies (UWI) and the University of Technology (UTech) the chance to participate in the fourth staging of its annual ‘Seeds for the Future-SKY’ programme… more
SafeToNet partners with Digicel to safeguard children in the Caribbean online
Regional – SafeToNet, one of the UK’s leading safety tech companies, has partnered exclusively in the Caribbean with complete communications provider Digicel, in an exciting next step which furthers their mission to help raise a new, global, generation of safer digital citizens… more
Legislation and policy decision key to achieving full digital transformation, says ICT Minister
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Minister of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), the Honourable Akilah Byron-Nisbett, said that it is important to review legislation and policies as they are key to achieving full digital transformation in St. Kitts and Nevis… more
Yes, tax tech giants
Trinidad and Tobago – GABRIEL FARIA, TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce CEO on Thursday backed a Senator’s call for foreign tech giants like Amazon and Google to pay taxes in TT where they undercut businesses such as the local media… more
Saturday, 31 October 2020
Gov’t mulls plans for a universal service fund
Antigua and Barbuda – A long-term solution to offset costs associated with Internet access and use of devices in situations such as a pandemic, may soon be forthcoming… more
Internet At Last For Wood Hall Primary
Jamaica – Wood Hall Primary School Principal Elisa Craig was on vacation but could not miss Thursday’s historic event to celebrate her institution finally getting Internet service after years of waiting… more
St Kitts and Nevis ICT Minister joins for 2020 Caribbean Economic Forum
Saint Kitts and Nevis – St Kitts and Nevis: Minister of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Akilah Byron-Nisbett, accompanied her regional and international counterparts on Tuesday, October 27, 2020, for the 5th Caribbean Economic Forum – How to Digitize an Economy… more
Sunday, 1 November 2020
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