A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 23 August to Sunday 29 August 2021.
Monday, 23 August 2021
First two companies now available on ArawakX for crowdfunding
Bahamas – The first two companies are now available for crowdfunding on ArawakX’s platform, after the companies’ chief executive officers rang the bell yesterday morning signifying their companies were now available to invest in… more
Digicel commissions mobile service at Kabakaburi
Guyana – Residents living in the Upper Pomeroon River, particularly in villages such as St Monica, Karawab, Akawini, Siriki, Abrams Creek, and Jacklow will receive a better Digicel signal now that the company has commissioned a state-of-the-art, mobile service at Kabakaburi Mission… more
E-Networks announces a major upgrade for Business Customers as its focus on the Cloud grows
Guyana – E-Networks Inc. – Guyana’s only locally owned telecommunications provider – announced that it has increased its fiber-optic business service, OnFiber Business Ultimate, from 475 Mbps to 675 Mbps for the same monthly subscription fee of $29,990 (VAT inclusive)… more
E-Networks raises bar again in telecoms sector
Guyana – E-Networks Inc., the country’s only locally owned telecommunications provider, recently announced that it has increased its fiber-optic business service, OnFiber Business Ultimate, from 475 Mbps to 675 Mbps for the same monthly subscription fee of $29,990 (VAT inclusive)… more
Tuesday, 24 August 2021
Census To Begin In January – And You Can Take Part Online
Bahamas – THE Census of Population and Housing will take place starting January 2022 and people will have the option to complete the questionnaire online, via telephone or in person… more
INVESTOR INITIATIVE LAUNCHED: Red Lobster and Bahama MyFi first out the gate on ArawakX crowdfunding platform
Bahamas – Red Lobster and Bahama MyFi are the first two companies to launch on the ArawakX crowdfunding platform, with the founders touting the move as a step towards financial inclusion for Bahamians… more
Rahming: Arawak X Will Push The Bahamas To A ‘Greater Arena’
Bahamas – The Arawak X crowd funding platform is moving offshore services near-shore says the company’s chief executive officer… more
DCash: motivations, challenges, and lessons from the first monetary union CBDC pilot
Barbados – Having worked on its Digital Currency Management System since 2016, Bitt has launched the first synthetic central bank digital currency (CBDC) in Barbados, followed by another first in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) in March this year, with more ahead… more
B.T.L. Chair Say G.O.B. Move is “Fair Game”
Belize – And while Chairman Lizarraga is steering his staff towards creating a more competitive B.T.L., he says in light of G.O.B.’s financial constraints, and the competitive environment the company operates in, G.O.B.’s move to Smart is understandable… more
B.T.L. Made Presentations to Cabinet and C.E.O.s
Belize – But, did B.T.L. actually meet with Cabinet to present a bid for services in the Ministry of Rural Transformation… more
B.T.L. Profits Up Even During Pandemic
Belize – Chairman Lizarraga did deliver some good news. B.T.L.’s external audit for the year ending March 2021 shows that the company’s profit increased by six hundred percent in the last year… more
Chairman Says B.T.L. Needs to Be Prepared to Compete
Belize – There is an update to the government’s decision to shift from B.T.L. to Smart as its communications provider in the Ministry of Rural Transformation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs… more
DCash: motivations, challenges, and lessons from the first monetary union CBDC pilot
Caribbean – Having worked on its Digital Currency Management System since 2016, Bitt has launched the first synthetic central bank digital currency (CBDC) in Barbados, followed by another first in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) in March this year, with more ahead… more
Jamaica’s Central Bank Says It Would Need Court Order to Track CBDC Transactions
Jamaica – The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ), the country’s central bank, said customer protection policies prevent it from being able to trace digital dollar transactions, though it has the technology to do that. more
It’s best to get a UPS
Trinidad and Tobago – Trinidad and Tobago is in the middle of the Atlantic hurricane season. During this time, power fluctuations are constant so it is best to protect your electrical equipment from sudden surges or blackouts… more
Wednesday, 25 August 2021
Digicel stores close after employees infected with covid
Antigua and Barbuda – Telecommunications giant Digicel has shut the doors on all of its shops and stores in Antigua after three of its 60 employees tested positive for Covid… more
BTC Appoints First Female Director Of Technology Operations
Bahamas – BTC has appointed Shantell Cox-Hutchinson to the position of Director of Technology Operations. Shantell is the first woman to lead this function and brings almost two decades of vast experience in the fields of technology, innovation and finance… more
DIGITAL DRIVE CONTINUES: Govt looking to make more than 200 services accessible on e-platform
Bahamas – A Cabinet minister said yesterday that digitization is the future of government services in The Bahamas, with the government planning to make more than 200 services available online… more
eGov Unit helps NAU reach clients online
Belize – People seeking assistance from the Needs Assessment Unit can now apply for that help online as a first step to making the process easier… more
New ePassport system approved by Cabinet, ePassports may be in use by July 2022
Belize – At this week’s meeting of Cabinet, an update was provided on the current status in the implementation of the new ePassport system and ePassports… more
PM responds to BCWU
Belize – This week Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño attempted to justify the decision within certain government ministries to replace the services of the national telecommunications company, Belize Telemedia Limited, with those of the privately owned Speednet Communication Limited (SMART) — a company that, according to credible reports, is primarily owned by Lord Michael Ashcroft, as well as by members of Briceño’s own family. The justification presented by the Prime Minister is, it’s strictly business… more
Smart wins 3.4 million contract to supply Microsoft licenses; Government says it was fair and square
Belize – We have seen documents identified as a payment to SMART, made on the first of July, 2021, for outfitting the Ministry of Finance with Microsoft 365 licenses, the bundled combination of software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, etc… more
CANTO’s 36th Annual Virtual Conference The New Digital Reality 2021 & Beyond- Day 1
Caribbean – “We don’t do dull” stated CANTO’s Secretary General, Mrs Teresa Wankin, as she opened the 36th Annual Conference held virtually for the first time in the event’s history… more
CANTO’s 36th Annual Virtual Conference The New Digital Reality 2021 & Beyond- Day 2
Caribbean – Following the energizing start of CANTO’s 36th Annual Conference and Virtual Exhibition, day 2 yet again provided an action-packed agenda to keep the momentum at a steady pace… more
CANTO’s 36th Annual Virtual Conference The New Digital Reality 2021 & Beyond- Day 3
Caribbean – Ambassadorial Messages signaled the start of Day 3 – the final day of CANTO’s first on-line Annual Conference and Exhibition… more
COVID-19 crisis pressures Caribbean telecommunications report
Caribbean – A new edition of the BuddeComm report, just released, discusses the challenges facing regional telecommunications companies due to the novel coronavirus pandemic which “continues to wreak havoc on the health and economies of countries throughout the Caribbean region”… more
Cybersecurity Guide (Pt1)
Caribbean – Cybersecurity is more critical now than ever. Not only is your business storing more data, but since the pandemic has forced us all to become increasingly mobile, it’s even more of a challenge keeping clients’ sensitive information safe… more
Success for Caribbean Economies Relies on a Harmonised Regulatory Approach & Single ICT Space
Caribbean – This was the message coming out of the CANTO Annual virtual Conference session – successful strategies for regulating Big Tech held on Thursday 29thJuly, 2021… more
Amber/HEART Trust/NSTA Coding Academy gets regional ranking
Jamaica – After only some eight months in operation, the Amber/Heart/NSTA Coding Academy project has been ranked among the top 12 non-profit technology projects by industry publication, Nearshore America… more
Data sovereignty and the storage of data
Jamaica – Data sovereignty should be fully explored by businesses when decisions are being made to store data offsite or in another jurisdiction, as part of its business continuity plan, information technology experts advise… more
Diversification key to transformation of local economy — industry leaders
Jamaica – Industry leaders across various sectors have reiterated the need for the creation of policies that encourage the implementation and use of advanced technologies to enable economic diversification which they believe is critical to the transformation of the local economy… more
Gov’t committed to strengthening cybersecurity training, says Chang
Jamaica – Minister of National Security, Dr Horace Chang, says the Government is committed to strengthening cybersecurity training and education in Jamaica… more
Scotiabank Jamaica outlines reason for digital push
Jamaica – Scotiabank has outlined that its push to transition to leverage more technology in its branches is designed to allow it staff to spend more time focusing on helping customers achieve their financial objectives… more
The salary conversation no one wants to have
Jamaica – Technology has been a significant and critical benefit to companies with the onset of the novel coronavirus pandemic… more
UTECH professor calls for sandbox protection under the Cybercrimes Act
Jamaica – The University of Technology, Jamaica (Utech) tabled a position paper to the joint select committee of Parliament requesting the protection of a legislative sandbox as a regulatory amendment to the Cybercrimes Act, 2015… more
50 students learn to code with music in Amcham workshop
Trinidad and Tobago – A two-day workshop held by the American Chamber of Commerce TT (Amcham) saw 50 students benefit from a computer coding programme… more
Thursday, 26 August 2021
ArawakX approaches 700 investors three days after launching companies
Bahamas – ArawakX has created more than 650 investors in the three days since it introduced the first two companies that Bahamians would be able to invest in through its crowdfunding platform, the company said in a statement… more
CBL Exec. Praises Company’S Healthcare Web Portal
Bahamas – A Cable Bahamas Ltd (CBL) executive yesterday praised the company’s virtual healthcare assistant – “Patch” – as a major tool in helping businesses monitor the COVID-19 pandemic… more
More than 650 persons invest on ArawakX platform over past two days
Bahamas – Over 650 persons have invested in offerings on the ArawakX platform in the past two days following the launch of Red Lobster Pinnacle Brands and Bahamas Myfi, company executives have reported… more
SBDC Plans To Launch Own Crowd-Funding Platform
Bahamas – A SMALL Business Development Centre (SBDC) executive told the Andros Business Outlook yesterday that plans for the agency to launch its own crowd-funding platform are in development and will be launched “really soon… more
Digi says it is not offering packcredits promotion, warns of phishing scheme to get people’s personal information
Belize – “Digi advises all customers that there is no ongoing promotion via http://packcredits.com/bz/ offering FREE Credit or Data to customers,” Digi Belize said on Thursday… more
BVI Public Library going automated with electronic database
British Virgin Islands – The Public Library Service of the Virgin Islands automating its services… more
Month of the Elderly 2021: Older persons embracing the digital age
Dominica – It is a time when the Dominica Council on Ageing Inc. is seeking to determine the digital literacy of its members, as Older Persons express their determination to be included in the current digital age… more
‘Almost there’
Jamaica – The recent donation of 22 tablets to Daniel Town Primary School in Trelawny by members of the Trelawny Gun Club has resulted in 93 per cent of students at the institution now equipped with devices to participate in online learning when the new academic year commences in September… more
Jamaican digital currency “safer than Bitcoin”
Jamaica – Jonathan Dharmapalan, Founder and CEO of eCurrency, has ensured that Jamaican digital currencies are not a security issue. In an exclusive interview with Carrilla Reynolds on the acquisition of shares, Dharma Paran said the technology used to operate the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) could prevent digital funds from being forged or infringed… more
Do more to save TSTT
Trinidad and Tobago – The Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) Ltd has released its financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2020, and the results do not seem to reflect the promise that its recent corrective action (taken to fix the operating burdens of the company) would have restored its going concern status… more
Huawei assists TT schools with online challenges
Trinidad and Tobago – In 2020, Huawei Technologies (T&T) Limited donated 100 Huawei T5 tablets directly to schools in Trinidad and Tobago, under the Ministry of Education’s Adopt-a-School Programme, in response to the Government’s efforts to ensure that children were well-equipped for online learning during the pandemic… more
The use of biometrics for business
Trinidad and Tobago – Recently I opened a new account at a local banking institution… more
Friday, 27 August 2021
Microsoft license war continues; SMART insists it won on ‘level playing field’
Belize – SMART has hit back again at charges it undercut rivals Telemedia in the recent battle to obtain contracts to license Microsoft 365 Office products… more
Telecommunications clampdown in Cuba
Cuba – New legislation from the Cuban Government will affect use of the Internet and radio in the Caribbean nation. On August 17, 2021, the Government made public Decree-Law 35 accompanied by new regulations seeking to limit use of telecommunications, radio, Internet and address “cybersecurity incidents”… more
Government to guarantee everyone access to the internet
Dominican Republic – President Luis Abinader announced yesterday that the Government would implement through the Digital Transformation Cabinet, belonging to the Ministry of the Presidency, the connectivity plan contemplated in the Digital Agenda 2030 through Decree 527-21… more
With GTT I thought my troubles were over but they only got worse
Guyana – Dear Editor, On Monday, 16th August 2021, I went to GTT office at 55, Brickdam to reconnect my Blaze account (Number Provided) which I suspended for six months (March to August 2021)… more
‘Almost there’
Jamaica – The recent donation of 22 tablets to Daniel Town Primary School in Trelawny by members of the Trelawny Gun Club has resulted in 93 per cent of students at the institution now equipped with devices to participate in online learning when the new academic year commences in September… more
Caribbean Blockchain Alliance counters claims of eCurrency CEO
Jamaica – Caribbean Blockchain Alliance has come out swinging against a claim from eCurrency CEO Jonathan Dharmapalan that blockchain technology is a “vulnerable security mechanism”… more
Cost of Cybercrime Could Reach $6 Trillion Per Annum
Jamaica – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, says the Government is committed to improving the national and regional cybersecurity resilience and response… more
Digital Grants Coming for Healthcare Workers
Jamaica – The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Floyd Green, has said that healthcare workers and vulnerable groups in Southwestern St. Elizabeth may benefit from digital grants as a result of partnering with payment facilitator, WiPay… more
How do we bridge the learning gaps?
Jamaica – Dear Editor, There are talks in the media apropos the severe learning gaps that need to be bridged… more
Jamaica Leading Caribbean’s Response to Cybersecurity Threats
Jamaica – Jamaica is leading the charge to significantly improve the Caribbean’s response in tackling existing and emerging cybersecurity threats through the development of skills in this area… more
Tech companies pledge billions in cybersecurity investments
Jamaica – Some of the country’s leading technology companies have committed to investing billions of dollars to strengthen cybersecurity defences and to train skilled workers, the White House announced on Wednesday following United States President Joe Biden’s private meeting with top executives… more
St Kitts and Nevis starts giving “digital vaccine cards”
St Kitts and Nevis – The government of St Kitts and Nevis started moved the vaccination cards access easily by shifting to online platforms. Now, fully vaccinated individuals can download their COVID-19 vaccine cards digitally… more
Saturday, 28 August 2021
BTL Chairman echoes PM’s defense of SMART switch
Belize – The chairman of the board of Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), Mark Lizarraga, has finally commented on the switch to SMART services that has taken place in a number of GoB ministries, and the tone of the former senator, who railed for years in the Senate against every act of corruption by the UDP administration, was surprisingly subdued… more
‘BTL must learn to compete,’ says P.M. as Barrow’s words come back to haunt him
Belize – Was the current contretemps over Belize Telemedia Limited and SMART foreshadowed by the man who brought back the former to national control at high cost from Lord Michael Ashcroft… more
GOB gives SMART $3.3M Microsoft contract
Belize – Evidence has emerged that there is greater momentum behind a government shift away from the services of the nationally owned telecommunications company (BTL) and towards the Briceño/Ashcroft-affiliated Speednet Communication Ltd… more
PM defends SMART contract as “cost savings”
Belize – This week, Belizeans learned of yet another source of revenue that was taken away from the national telecommunications company, BTL, when documents emerged that showed that SMART, despite not being a Microsoft partner, as BTL is, was awarded a $3.37 million contract to provide the licenses for the Government of Belize’s Microsoft 365 software packages… more
UDP leader calls for BTL Chairman to resign
Belize – Following a press conference held by Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) chairman Mark Lizarraga at which Lizarraga appeared to justify the switch to SMART services that has taken place within several GoB ministries, the UDP held a press conference of its own at which it called for the BTL chairman to resign… more
GTT has restored the letter writer’s service
Guyana – Dear Editor, I write in response to a letter published in your newspaper on August 27, 2021, under the caption ‘With GTT I thought my troubles were over, but it only got worse’ by Dale Thorne… more
WiPay opens new Jamaica headquarters
Jamaica – On Friday, Aldwyn Wayne opened the company’s new Caribbean headquarters in the Financial District in New Kingston in Jamaica. more
Sunday, 29 August 2021
iPrint Digital to roll out new e-commerce platform
Jamaica – DIGITAL advertisers, iPrint Digital Limited is set to officially launch its e-commerce platform next month as the company moves to grow market share and become more agile especially during the novel coronavirus pandemic as most companies look to go fully digital… more
Technology key for businesses to survive containment measures
Jamaica – Companies are being urged to incorporate greater use of technology into their operations, if they are to survive the continuous measures to contain the spread of COVID-19… more
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