A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 21 December to Sunday 27 December 2020.
Monday, 21 December 2020
Web Shops Urge Patron Tax Delay
Bahamas – Web shops are urging the Government to reconsider the New Year’s Day introduction of the long-awaited patron winnings tax due to the “additional burden” it will impose on COVID-hit consumers… more
Online Guyana creates virtual marketplace for local businesses
Guyana – Online Guyana, a new e-commerce company, has created a virtual marketplace where local businesses can sell their products… more
ADVERTORIAL | C&W Business Jamaica – Enabling Gov’t, Industry COVID Responses
Jamaica – ICT solutions provider, C&W Business Jamaica continues to enable the response to the pandemic for Government and businesses across Jamaica… more
Doug Halsall | Technology Improving Workflow In Healthcare
Jamaica – In any organisation, large or small, how quickly and efficiently departments can communicate with each other can directly impact how well that organisation performs. Already, we rely a lot on technology to operate businesses and to get work done but largely this is treated as a ‘matter of fact’ phenomenon… more
Tuesday, 22 December 2020
Minister of State for Finance: It Will Become Easier to Interact with Government because of its Focus on Digitization
Bahamas – Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance Sen. the Hon. J. Kwasi Thompson stated that it will become easier to interact with the Government because of its focus on Digitization… more
National Bank of Belize to launch digital wallet in 2021
Belize – Тhе Nаtіоnаl Ваnk оf Веlіzе Lіmіtеd (NВВ) hаѕ еntеrеd іntо а раrtnеrѕhір wіth thе fіnаnсіаl tесhnоlоgу соmраnу, Віtt, tо аdd аn еWаllеt tо іtѕ ехіѕtіng mоbіlе bаnkіng ѕеrvісеѕ… more
GPL submarine cable fixed
Guyana – Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips was satisfied, Tuesday afternoon, after inspecting the repairs done to the Guyana Power and Light’s (GPL) recently damaged 69kV submarine cable… more
One Laptop Per Family initiative to be re-introduced in 2021—President Ali
Guyana – President Irfaan Ali has announced the re-introduction of the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) initiative… more
CAC Encouraging Greater Use Of Its Mobile App
Jamaica – The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is encouraging more Jamaicans to make use of its mobile application (app) in order to find the best prices for goods and services… more
Digitalisation Proves Its Immense Value To Shipping
Jamaica – The digital revolution is transforming the world. Data is being generated, shared, stored, and analysed in amounts, and at speeds, that are increasing exponentially every year. Today, the data we create, access, and control is having an increasing impact both on how we live and on how industry performs… more
Gov’t Gets Donation Of Fibre-Optic Cable To Boost Broadband Connectivity
Jamaica – The Government has received a donation of 650 kilometres of fibre-optic cable from local cable television providers and the island’s two major toll road operators to help improve the nation’s broadband connectivity… more
Government Receives 650 Kilometres Of Fibre-Optic Cable
Jamaica – Government has received a donation of 650 kilometres of fibre-optic cable from local cable television providers and the island’s two major toll road operators, to help improve the nation’s broadband connectivity… more
TAJ Mobile Application Goes Live
Jamaica – Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) in collaboration with eGov Jamaica Limited has developed the Tax Authority’s first mobile application – TAJ Mobile, adding yet another convenient and secure payment option to its suite of online services… more
PM’s push for digitisation, but he has never used an ATM
Trinidad and Tobago – This is the final part of a conversation with the Prime Minister. Parts one and two were published on December 20 and 21… more
The journey to digital transformation
Trinidad and Tobago – Digital transformation, innovation, economic diversification, an enabling environment and entrepreneurship are words and phrases we have heard in the Caribbean for many years, yet we have not heard of the strategic tools that will help us create, manage and build these frameworks and systems… more
Wednesday, 23 December 2020
Digital Campaign Boosts Retailer’s Sales By 400%
Bahamas – A Bahamian retailer increased sales by 400 percent through its alliance with an electronic provider who distributed digital coupons to customers via its App… more
GPL’s submarine cable repaired to the tune of $100M
Guyana – Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, was satisfied yesterday afternoon, after inspecting the repairs done to the Guyana Power and Light’s (GPL) recently damaged 69kV submarine cable… more
ICreate Hunts Fresh Cash To Recapitalise
Jamaica – It’s been a rocky ride for listed training institute iCreate. On top of carrying sizeable accumulated losses that have grown over the past two years, the company has seen a dramatic revenue slide from $24.5 million in its first quarter this year to just shy of $8 million for its third quarter to September, although it managed to eclipse nine months income for last year by $6 million… more
Mobile EDGE Solutions launches GetPAID App to facilitate 48-hour local e-commerce payouts
Jamaica – LOCAL tech firm Mobile EDGE Solutions (MES) recently launched a robust and customisable online platform aimed at providing faster payouts to Jamaican-dollar (JMD) bank accounts and to facilitate the rapid digital transformation of businesses via e-commerce… more
CTU MINISTERS HONOUR FORMER CTU SG
Regional – At a Special Meeting of the General Conference of Ministers of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) on 21st December 2020, Ministers and many invited guests took the opportunity pay tribute to a true Caribbean stalwart, Ms. Bernadette Lewis, who held the position of Secretary General for seventeen years… more
Enterprise computing: The right culture needed
Regional – We hear it over and over: people are our most important asset, the people on the team are to be credited with the success of the project. But a critical part of the formula is the culture — the “how we do things around here” way… more
Thursday, 24 December 2020
Cable Plans TV ‘Repackage’ To Counter Streaming Rivals
Bahamas – Cable Bahamas is planning a 2021 adjustment to its TV channel packages to better reflect consumer demands and enhance its competitiveness against rival video streaming services… more
Deal Signed To Digitise All Court Documents
Bahamas – THE government signed a contract valued under $480,000 with the firm ZCOM yesterday to implement a digitisation and migration system for all paper-based court documents within the judiciary… more
URCA seeking to reduce operating budget in 2021
Bahamas – Due to governmental budgetary cuts, the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) is seeking to decrease its operating budget for 2021 by approximately 5 percent compared to 2020, via a 98 percent cut in travel expenses… more
GTT donates to ‘Computers for Guyana’ project
Guyana – An additional three dozen children in vulnerable communities are now able to access online learning following a GTT donation… more
Dr Andrew O. Wheatley | Culture And Wi-Fi In Daily Life
Jamaica – Today it seems almost impossible to live without your TV, mobile phone, and computer… more
Flow connects customers with special tablet offer
Trinidad and Tobago – One positive lesson that has come out this global pandemic, is the ability to adapt to the present environment. In this case, technology has become the platform for everyday living… more
Friday, 25 December 2020
The digitization of the Bahamas in 2021 – New investment opportunities for the Bahamas
Bahamas – The Bahamas are implementing a more digital approach to their governmental services as at least five government services will become available to citizens online including the renewal of driver’s licenses and the ability to obtain copies of birth certificates and marriage certificates… more
Flow offers fixed, mobile packages in Christmas promotion
Jamaica – COMMUNICATIONS and entertainment provider Flow Jamaica says it has unveiled a suite of affordable bundle packages in its Christmas promotion campaign, which runs until December 31… more
Saturday, 26 December 2020
– Nil –
Sunday, 27 December 2020
More than just internet: Harnessing the digital economy to rethink the future in Haiti
Haiti – The COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis have highlighted the importance of internet connectivity and digital skills… more
Image credits: Mars Hill Church (flickr); Wikipedia; National Bank of Belize; Wikipedia; Facebook; Bahamas Weekly
