A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 29 March to Sunday 4 April 2021.
Monday, 29 March 2021
Bahamas strengthens its cybersecurity capacity
Bahamas – The Bahamas has launched a project with ITU to set up a national Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT) to help protect the small island country’s critical digital infrastructure and data… more
Flow introduces faster internet speeds
British Virgin Islands – Telecommunications giant, Flow is now introducing faster internet speeds as well as family-type plans to local consumers… more
Bank of Jamaica announces prototype CBDC partner
Jamaica – The Bank of Jamaica has chosen Irish firm eCurrency Mint to provide the technology for its prototype central bank digital currency (CBDC)… more
Digicel/Microsoft supporting SMEs’ increased adoption of cloud tech
Jamaica – As the global pandemic continues to highlight the need for increased digitalisation, more local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the manufacturing and service sectors are showing an increased level of interest in integrating digital technologies… more
Leadership, trust key to work-from-home project – C&W official
Jamaica – Director of government, enterprise and IT solutions at C&W Business Jamaica Carol Robertson has underscored the importance of leadership and trust as essential to the success of work-from-home arrangements… more
Sagicor backs introduction of digital currency
Jamaica – With the recent announcements by the government for the launch of Jamaica’s digital currency, Sagicor Group Jamaica has signalled its support for the initiative which is expected to bolster the local economy… more
Caribbean digital currencies seen requiring new legislation
Regional – Several Caribbean countries are implementing digital currencies, but full integration will require interoperability… more
Digital transformation accelerates smarter, more efficient industries
Regional – IN the historical moment in which humanity is immersed in the middle of a pandemic, information and communication technologies (ICT) play an especially important role in accelerating the process of digital transformation and supporting the recovery of the economy… more
In tech we trust
Trinidad and Tobago – IN a normal year, songs of praise echoed by Shouter Baptist congregations would fill churches and emit from gatherings across the islands. However, in these pandemic times, life has drastically changed… more
Optimising a company’s cybersecurity investment
Trinidad and Tobago – ADVANCEMENTS in technology have created unprecedented business opportunities for generating revenue, providing innovative products and services to customers, promoting distance learning, as well as fostering collaboration among friends, families, co-workers and other business associates… more
Update: Flow says service is back, admits critical equipment failed
Trinidad and Tobago – The telecommunications company, Flow, says it has restored full connectivity for customers who experienced problems with their broadband, TV and fixed voice services earlier on Monday… more
Tuesday, 30 March 2021
This Caribbean Country Moves Towards Commercial Roll Out Of A Digital Currency
Bahamas – Another Caribbean country is moving closer to a commercial rolling out of its own digital currency this year… more
More Students Benefit from Flow Foundation, Sean Paul Foundation and Sandals Foundation Tablet Distribution Partnership
Jamaica – Students from the Constant Spring Primary and Junior High and Greenwich Primary in Kingston and St. Andrew were among those to benefit from a second round of tablet distribution from the Sean Paul Foundation (SPF) in partnership with the Flow Foundation and the Sandals Foundation on March 23… more
TelEm Group loading up electronics, other “e-waste” equipment for recycling.
Sint Maarten – TelEm Group and recycling partner, Cadwell, Inc. is busy filling a shipping container with old and broken electronic parts and equipment destined for recycling overseas… more
Wednesday, 31 March 2021
Bahamas Telecom Market SWOT Analysis and Outlook Report to 2025
Bahamas – This comprehensive research- documentary on Bahamas Telecom market is a holistic perspective of market developments, factors, dynamics, trends and challenges that decide growth trajectory of market prognosis… more
#BTColumn – Am I alone in my online vision?
Barbados – As I sat eating lunch yesterday, physically distanced from a group of women my age, I realised I was alone in my view of time and what the future holds in education… more
Official Gazette made accessible to social media users
Guyana – As part of steps to make the Official Gazette more accessible to the public, the Ministry of Legal Affairs has started publishing the document via social media… more
ADVERTORIAL| Agile services delivery encourages high performance culture
Jamaica – Agile Services Delivery, an approach that places the customer and individual front and centre, in the software delivery life cycle is being lauded by software experts as the framework that will drive efficiency, especially in the public sector… more
CBDC explained
Jamaica – RECENTLY, Minister of Finance Dr Nigel Clarke announced that the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) would pilot its central bank digital currency (CBDC)… more
PSOJ invests $1m in ENDS to support businesses during weekend curfews
Jamaica – As lead architect in the pilot of the E-commerce National Delivery System (ENDS), the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) said it has already invested about $1 million in funding to the project which also received technical support from some of its members… more
Raquel Seville, DATA QUEEN
Jamaica – “When you come from behind, it tends to work out; it adds value to what you are providing and helps to build your track record,” explains Raquel Seville… more
The ENDS justify the means
Jamaica – The roll-out of a payment tool that can be used by not just established businesses, but also street vendors reminds us how the ends may justify the means. It is an intentional pun on the introduction of ENDS, an app to let money pass electronically between the customer and the vendor… more
VM Group sets pace with digital services
Jamaica – While other firms scrambled to become digital in the early days of the novel coronavirus pandemic, VM Group accelerated its digital road map to ensure that its members and customers weren’t disrupted by the sudden nature of the shift to the online business platform… more
Social $ense: Avoid social media mistakes
Regional – Social media can make a marked difference in a company’s marketing; it is, in fact, a powerful tool… more
The Cable completes installation of FREE Wi-Fi in all Community Centers in St. Kitts in record time
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The Cable has completed the rollout of free Wi-Fi in all 17 community centers in St. Kitts, a week and a half ahead of schedule… more
Thursday, 1 April 2021
John Gomez promoted to CEO of Aliv
Bahamas – Aliv is keeping its promise to leave the company in Bahamian hands, promoting Cable Bahamas Limited’s (CBL) Chief Operating Officer (COO) John Gomez to chief executive officer (CEO) of the mobile provider, with the departure of current CEO Damian Blackburn on April 30… more
Ann Marie Walter-Allen | To go digital, transform your mindset
Jamaica – In order to begin digitally transforming your organisation, there must be a commitment at the highest levels of leadership to look for opportunities that fundamentally change and improve how businesses operate and deliver value to customers… more
Bandwidth issues, US-dollar Internet packages weigh down schools
Jamaica – A number of schools are being forced to purchase expensive United States-dollar connectivity technology to maintain contact with students online as the island continues to deal with a high number of COVID-19 cases… more
Flow encourages small businesses to go digital as Gov’t launches the ENDS
Jamaica – With the Government piloting its E-commerce National Delivery Solution (ENDS) last weekend, information, telecommunications and technology provider Flow Business Jamaica is encouraging the owners of small businesses to embrace digital opportunities for growth… more
Jamaica Telecom Market SWOT Analysis and Outlook Report to 2025
Jamaica – This comprehensive research- documentary on Jamaica Telecom market is a holistic perspective of market developments, factors, dynamics, trends and challenges that decide growth trajectory of market prognosis… more
Eastern Caribbean dollar goes digital, a help for unbanked
Regional – The Eastern Caribbean has created its own form of digital currency meant to help speed transactions and serve people without bank accounts… more
Eastern Caribbean launches central bank digital currency pilot DCash
Regional – Yesterday the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) launched its central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilot, DCash. The Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) consists of eight islands, but the pilot will cover four of them, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis and Saint Lucia… more
D-Cash: SKN Among First to Get Digital EC Dollar
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) has officially launched the digital version of the EC dollar – or ‘DCash’… more
200 workers on breadline as TSTT cuts DirecOne deal
Trinidad and Tobago – Some 200 DirecOne workers are now said to be facing the breadline following a decision by the majority State-owned Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) to end its contract with the company for the supply of call centre services… more
Communications Union wants TSTT to stop private contracts, use staff for call services
Trinidad and Tobago – TSTT should use trained staff for call services rather than outsource the operations to private companies, Communications Workers Union general secretary Clyde Elder said on Thursday… more
Contracts not renewed: CWU concerned for DirecOne workers
Trinidad and Tobago – Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) general secretary Clyde Elder says in these uncertain and tough economic times, it’s difficult for 200 DirecOne workers who have been placed on the breadline… more
Friday, 2 April 2021
Bitt Partners with ECCB to Develop World’s First Central Bank Digital Currency in a Currency Union
Regional – On 31 March, ‘DCash’, designed and developed by the international fintech company, Bitt, in partnership with the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), became the world’s first retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) to be publicly issued within a formal currency union… more
DCash in 8 Caribbean islands by September, 50% less physical cash
Regional – Barbados in partnership with the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) has created DCash for the Eastern Caribbean… more
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank blazes a trail with first digital currency
Regional – The Eastern Caribbean on Thursday became the first currency union central bank to issue digital cash, a move that comes as bigger monetary authorities such as the European Central Bank look at issuing their own electronic currencies… more
Saturday, 3 April 2021
How Jamaica failed to handle its JamCOVID scandal
Jamaica – As governments scrambled to lock down their populations after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared last March, some countries had plans underway to reopen. By June, Jamaica became one of the first countries to open its borders… more
Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance to Launch New Website
Regional – The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) has launched its brand-new website. In a press statement released by the nonprofit nature conservation network created to safeguard nature in the Dutch Caribbean, DCNA gave various highlights on how its new website will facilitate information exchange not only between the members of the nature conservation network but also to the general public… more
Sunday, 4 April 2021
Government increases ownership limit in RJR broadcast licences
Jamaica – The Government has formally approved an increase in the ownership limit of the broadcasting licences issued to Radio Jamaica Limited (RJR), thus paving the way for the company’s additional public offer (APO) slated for later this year… more
Health + Tech | Mobile phone access and software configuration
Jamaica – There are many telehealth services, platforms, and devices on the market today. Yet, telehealth can still be considered to be in its infancy… more
Image credits: rawpixel.com (Pexels); Sagicor; Wikimedia Commons; Wikipedia; Aliv; Wikipedia; Wikipedia
