A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 12 July to Sunday 18 July 2021.
Monday, 12 July 2021
Building digital infrastructure for the ‘anywhere office’
Barbados – The Barbados government’s invitation to foreign nationals to live and work there under the Welcome Stamp Visa scheme is definitely a case of living the dream… more
WIFI PROJECT FOR HAYNESVILLE
Barbados – The Truss & Pannell Charitable Foundation is set to pilot a WiFi project within Haynesville, St. James… more
Advertorial | Digital Currency Becomes Jamaican Economy Game Changer
Jamaica – The imminent introduction of digital currencies into Jamaica’s financial situation will be a game changer that will advance the country and expand financial inclusion, said leading local economists and technical experts… more
HEART/NSTA Trust and Digicel enter partnership to build digital skills and job opportunities
Jamaica – IN a landmark memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will usher in a new era of skills training and development for the digital future, HEART/NSTA Trust and Jamaica’s digital operator, Digicel, have forged a partnership that will foster mutual training, industry knowledge exchange and internship opportunities for trainees and employees of both entities… more
Bacchus takes charge of Digital Transformation Ministry
Trinidad and Tobago – Former minister in the Public Administration and Digital Transformation (PA/DT) Ministry, Hassel Bacchus, has been made a full minister in charge of a new Digital Transformation Ministry… more
PM splits Ministry of Public Administration and Digital Transformation
Trinidad and Tobago – This afternoon, the Prime Minister announced changes to Cabinet which seem to foreshadow a fundamental change in the government’s digital transformation strategy… more
VISA’s Jorge Salum is FinTechTT’s first international member, wil lead working group
Trinidad and Tobago – The FinTech Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FinTech TT), has inducted Visa as its first international member, selecting Jorge Salum, Visa Senior Business Development Leader Caribbean Countries, to lead its Infrastructure and Development Working Group… more
Tuesday, 13 July 2021
BRING IT ON: Cable Bahamas says it “welcomes” URCA investigation into customer complaints
Bahamas – As it welcomed an investigation by the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) into complaints over its TV service, Cable Bahamas said those complaints stem from limitations with its legacy technology… more
Cable: Resolving Consumer Concerns ‘Drilled into Ethos’
Bahamas – CABLE Bahamas’ top executive has pledged that resolving customer complaints is “our number one priority” and has been “drilled into the ethos” of all employees ahead of a regulatory probe into its TV services… more
Central bank digital currencies differ from crypto. Here’s how they work
Bahamas – With cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin becoming increasingly popular, central banks across the world have been working towards developing digital currencies of their own… more
Proof innovation abounds in the Caribbean
Barbados – In recent years the Caribbean has seen an influx of promising start-ups leveraging technology to provide practical solutions in a range of industries, from tourism and transportation to healthcare and finance… more
‘Digital nomads’ bring millions to region through remote work
British Virgin Islands – In the 10 months after the One Year Barbados visa for remote work launched, it processed some 2,500 applications, earned $6 million for government coffers, and raked in at least $100 million worth of tourism revenue for the country, eclipsing the roughly $70 million intake from cruise ships in a typical year, according to one of the visa’s architects… more
Growth & Jobs | CRMmetry: A driving force of digital transformation
Jamaica – While Many companies have tentatively begun to digitise work processes, CRMmetry Jamaica, the Salesforce solutions partner that has been a driving force of digital transformation in the region, sees a much bigger revolution coming… more
Jamaica 4h clubbites get online learning support
Jamaica – Three young Jamaican 4H clubbites – Kriston Chambers, Dre’Anna Hill and Rhondre Elliott – copped the titles of Male Youth Ambassador, Female Youth Ambassador and Champion Public Speaker respectively at the recently held Jamaica 4H Club Virtual National Achievement Expo… more
Wednesday, 14 July 2021
In Search of a Spark – Thoughtful Digital Agency
Anguilla – How a Digital Marketing Agency was built from the rubble of a Category 5 Hurricane to market the largest OECS event of 2021! more
Gov’t Seizes On Leading Small Island FDI Status
Bahamas – The Government yesterday seized on The Bahamas’ status as 2020’s top small island state for foreign direct investment (FDI) as “perhaps the strongest indicator of confidence” in this nation. more
Local tech companies to enter Nigerian market
Barbados – Two Barbadian-owned companies will have the chance to expand their services to Nigeria as the island looks to strengthen its ties with African nations. more
Six Reasons Why Barbados Is An Ideal Location For Your Remote Office
Barbados – In the aftermath of the first global pandemic in years, there will undoubtedly be a shift in the way business is conducted. One of these predicted changes will be the acceleration of the establishment of remote offices. more
CYBER SECURITY ROAD MAP LOCK SHOP (Part 4)
Caribbean – Last week we highlighted five of the 10 systems, tools and practices that we recommend to protect devices, networks and critical assets against breaches or attacks… more
Bank of Jamaica issues new ‘reminder’ cautioning citizens’ about crypto use
Jamaica – Like most regulators around the world, the Bank of Jamaica [BOJ] has maintained a cautious approach when it comes to cryptocurrencies. more
BOJ gets more cryptic about cryptocurrencies
Jamaica – Jamaicans are being asked again to beware of using cryptocurrencies to carry out transactions… more
Digital currency pilot to start August
Jamaica – The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) says the pilot of its much-anticipated Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) will start next month… more
eBaying — How to make money selling Jamaican items on this global e-commerce platform
Jamaica – E- commerce is the buying and selling of products or services electronically over the Internet… more
Stopping the fintech fumble
Jamaica – It is no secret that doing business online for micro and small business owners ends at the most critical part: payments… more
Young: Robust online system in place for border reopening
Trinidad and Tobago – “A very robust platform” is how Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young described TT Travel Pass, which will be used to manage entry into the country… more
Thursday, 15 July 2021
Kerzner Crowdfunding Bid Is ‘Full Systems Go’
Bahamas – An equity crowdfunding platform spearheaded by the late Sir Sol Kerzner’s son yesterday said it is “full systems go” on bringing “transformational” change to the way Bahamian businesses are financed… more
Cyber-attack warning to businesses
Barbados – Barbadian enterprises have been advised that hackers are not interested in whether businesses are small our large, brand named or new obscure, they are all vulnerable to cyber-attacks. more
Hydroponics systems can improve food security
Barbados – One of Barbados’ newest entrepreneurs is on a mission to put a dent in the island’s massive food import bill and help improve food security. more
Innovative IT Solutions donates printers to Education Ministry
Guyana – On Monday, proprietor of Innovative IT Solutions, Mr. Somal Sharma, donated 50 Canon Pixma printers to the Ministry of Education… more
A ministerial mandate for digital transformation
Trinidad and Tobago – On Monday, the Prime Minister announced the reassignment of Alyson West as Minister of Public Transformation and the appointment of a new Minister of Digital Transformation (MODT), Hassel Bacchus… more
A regional MSME conference: Bridging the digital divide
Trinidad and Tobago – Our reality is that as Caribbean economies move beyond 2021, many of the challenges currently being overcome will still be there waiting… more
How technology can unlock billions in productivity
Trinidad and Tobago – Employers are leaving millions of dollars on the table by not optimising their employee benefits to drive productivity, as well as satisfaction… more
Friday, 16 July 2021
Customs System In GB ‘Beyond Repair’
Bahamas – Bahamas Customs yesterday said its electronic system for clearing goods on Grand Bahama is “beyond repair”, warning that the island’s cross-border commerce will return to manual process until September… more
Grand Bahama Customs Department upgrading digital system for Sept 1 rollout
Bahamas – The Bahamas Customs Department is starting the process of transitioning its Grand Bahama operations to Click2Clear effective September 1… more
Radio Over-Saturation ‘Will Always Be Concern’
Bahamas – A top regulator yesterday said concerns about the Bahamian radio broadcasting market being over-saturated “will always be around even if we had 50 percent of the stations we have now… more
Viva Dominicana fined USD 5 mln for irregular spectrum use
Dominican Republic – The Dominican Republic’s telecommunications regulator Indotel has imposed a fine amounting to DOP 369 million (around USD 5.1 million) on operator Trilogy Dominicana (Viva) for making improper use of the radioelectric spectrum… more
Broadcasting authority lists 26 licence fees defaulters
Guyana – The Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) says it is facing an “arduous” task in collecting broadcast licence fees and has issued a list of twenty-six broadcasters who it says have failed to make this payment… more
GTT can certainly care more for their customers
Guyana – Dear Editor, I am a regular user of the GTT 3 day data plan… more
1,500 teachers to get free digital training
Jamaica – APPROXIMATELY 1,500 teachers are set to be trained in the coming months under a strategic partnership between the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) and the Flow Foundation… more
Students To Participate In Robotics Programme
Jamaica – Students attending the Wolmer’s Girls’, Boys’ and Prep schools have been given an opportunity to explore and innovate in an autonomous robotics programme… more
Taiwan to establish innovation hub in St Lucia
Saint Lucia – The Technical Mission of Taiwan and the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) continues to forge ties in their commitment to transforming the innovative and entrepreneurial landscape of Saint Lucia, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Wednesday July 14, 2021 at a ceremony held on the campus of the College… more
Saturday, 17 July 2021
E-Networks invests $1.2 billion in first-ever Essequibo submarine fiber and 5G network expansion
Guyana – E-Networks Inc. – Guyana’s only locally owned and operated telecommunications provider – today announced that it has landed the first-ever submarine fiber optic cable to the Essequibo Islands and Essequibo Coast… more
Gov’t mulling use of new software to track COVID-19 vaccination data
Guyana – Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony announced on Wednesday that Guyana has signalled its interest in making use of software developed in India to keep track of the COVID-19 vaccination data… more
Opposition MP released on self-bail for cybercrime charge
Guyana – A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Member of Parliament, Annette Ferguson, was yesterday placed on self-bail when she appeared before a City Magistrate to answer to a cybercrime charge… more
BPO sector expands
Jamaica – Jamaica’s business process outsourcing (BPO) sector is set to expand with the creation of nine new sites across the island by existing players in the market… more
Jamaica Bank launches digital currency pilot in August
Jamaica – Jamaica’s central bank will reportedly begin its first rollout of the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) project in August. more
‘Poll St. Lucia’ App Gaining Momentum
Saint Lucia – Since its recent re-introduction in time for the 2021 Saint Lucia general elections, the Poll St. Lucia app has been gaining not only wide-ranging feedback, but increasing momentum… more
How Digital tickets is improving the fan experience
Trinidad and Tobago – For as long as I’ve worked with national football teams, the period when players and staff are just about receiving their complimentary game tickets which they now have to hustle to pass over to their friends or loved ones has always a been part of the pre-game routine… more
T&T’s digitisation gains momentum
Trinidad and Tobago – Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley believes the new Ministry of Digital Transformation and a drive towards technology will create new opportunities for businesses… more
Sunday, 18 July 2021
CYBER RISK
Barbados – Barbadians and Barbadian businesses should not believe that they are immune from cyberattacks… more
Dominican Republic to improve digital connectivity with US$115-million IDB loan
Dominican Republic – In an effort to boost the Dominican Republic’s level of digitalisation to ensure the population’s access, adoption and continuity of digital services, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a US$115-million loan… more
Digi announces disruption of services for customers in Southern Belize
Guyana – Today, Digi announced that customers in southern Belize may experience issues with their service for today, July 18, 2021… more
Drone tech could put customers’ info at risk, warns Forrest
Jamaica – TECHNOLOGY is easier, but the risks of mishaps are just as real. That’s why data security and web hosting expert Trevor Forrest has joined the drone delivery debate, warning against the possible leak of customers’ personal information… more
GiftMe promotes digital giving
Jamaica – As the world embraces the digital revolution, local entrepreneur Rushio Billings saw an opportunity to establish a new business, one that is completely digital and automated… more
Jobs increase by 15% in BPO sector, says Hill
Jamaica – Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator Aubyn Hill, says the number of jobs in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector increased by 15 per cent over the past year, with 44,000 people employed in the sector as of June 30, 2021… more
Staff, patients concerned about data breach at university hospital
Jamaica – Loose network and cybersecurity with the problem-plagued Hospital Information Management System (HIMS) that’s gobbling up millions in cost overruns has exposed to hackers thousands of patient data at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), a Sunday Gleaner investigation has found… more
Image credits: Ono Kosuki (Pexels); Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Facebook; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; E-Networks Website; Wikimedia Commons
