A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 30 August to Sunday 5 September 2021.
Monday, 30 August 2021
Barrow Says B.T.L./Smart Situation is a “Hot Mess”
Belize – B.T.L. was acquired under the Barrow Administration in August of 2009. Barrow has been heavily criticized for the price paid under his leadership to acquire the telecom giant… more
PM on B.T.L. and Smart
Belize – On the matter of the contract that Government has awarded to Smart, the Prime Minister said today that the Opposition has no moral grounds when it calls for the resignation of B.T.L. Chairman, Mark Lizarraga… more
Protect your devices, e-Learning tells students
Jamaica – E-Learning Jamaica Limited (e-LJAM) is encouraging students who received tablets under the Government’s Tablets in School Programme and the Own Your Own Device Initiative to care for and protect the devices… more
The Digital Disruptor
Jamaica – If anyone were to rank one of the riskiest things to do when facing a crisis, then possibly what could peak at number one is starting a business in the middle of a global pandemic… more
Tuesday, 31 August 2021
Cox-Hutchinson named BTC Director of Technology
Bahamas – Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) has announced the appointment of Shantell Cox-Hutchinson to the position of Director of Technology Operations, the first woman to take on the role… more
BTC continues extensive fiber rollout to support online learning as schools reopen
Bahamas – With schools opening in just a few days, BTC continues to execute its aggressive fiber-to-the-home broadband rollout to deliver elevated speeds to at least 3,000 more families to ensure students have access to classes… more
Day One Difficulties With Virtual Learning System
Bahamas – THE first day of virtual school was plagued with several challenges for some public school students and teachers who were unable to access the Ministry of Education’s virtual learning system yesterday, according to Bahamas Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson… more
Research, digital appetite being whetted at opanal
Barbados – Imran Best is not a stranger to doing internships in a foreign land where the people predominantly speaks a language that is not his own… more
Scotiabank Cayman recognized for advanced data analytics
Cayman Islands – Scotiabank has been recognized as the Most Innovative in Data by The Banker’s Global Innovation in Digital Banking Awards 2021, with the Cayman operation successfully leveraging its digital transformation programme to utilize capabilities such as advanced data analytics to improve customer service… more
Bank of Jamaica should test CBDC before roll-out
Jamaica – Here is simply too much at stake for the Bank of Jamaica not to have an independent back-test of the e-currency claim that its security software is superior to blockchain technology… more
Ocho Rios restaurant hoping ENDS will keep it afloat
Jamaica – Quanetta McNeal is hoping the Government’s e-commerce platform, ENDS (E-commerce National Delivery Solution), will save her restaurant which, like many other businesses, has been hard hit by the recent no-movement days implemented to reduce spread of the novel coronavirus… more
Wednesday, 1 September 2021
Cable Unveils TV Line-Up Reforms
Bahamas – Cable Bahamas yesterday said its REV TV subscribers will enjoy improved choice and, potentially, lower costs as a result of its newly-introduced package line-up that takes effect from today… more
3 reasons your business needs a website
Caribbean – TODAY many consumers use the Internet to search for the products or services they need, so just magine the number of potential customers you could reach by developing a website for your business… more
Unleashing the power of tech in the Caribbean — BizTech 2021
Caribbean – There are many hurdles we could better overcome if we worked together as one Caribbean when it comes to enabling technological transformation in the region… more
E-Networks opens new store at Anna Regina
Guyana – Internet activity such as surfing, streaming, shopping and gaming is now easier for residents of Pomeroon-Supenaam, Region Two now that E-Networks Inc – Guyana’s only locally-owned and operated telecommunications provider – has opened a new store at Anna Regina. The store is located opposite the C V Nunes Primary School… more
Digitise or Die!
Jamaica – “Digitise or you die! If you are unable to digitise or meet the needs of your customers from where you are, you are going to have a problem,” warned Ewort Atkinson, interactive media manager at Digicel Jamaica, further urging companies stuck on old models of operating to adjust, as the pandemic intensifies the need for digital communications… more
Digital agency cops media innovator award for second consecutive year
Jamaica – Impacting a market is key for just about any entity in today’s digital world, but impacting multiple markets, and taking your brand globally is twice as rewarding… more
E-commerce explosion
Jamaica – PRICESMART, the bulk goods seller, has expanded its “click and go” online shopping service to Jamaica, allowing club members to shop via the Internet… more
Investment in BPO rises
Jamaica – Demand for commercial space connected to the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry is on the rise, with investors indicating that new construction is underway across Jamaica to facilitate this… more
More BPO companies eyeing Jamaica
Jamaica – JAMPRO, the Government’s trade promotion agency, is indicating that it is fielding queries from several overseas companies wanting to operate from Jamaica… more
NCB’s CBDC wallet set for November roll-out after tests
Jamaica – National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited, NCB, has set November as the date for the public roll-out of its digital currency wallet to retail the CBDC, which is backed as legal tender by the Bank of Jamaica… more
NCB says over $110 billion in revenue generated through e-commerce channels
Jamaica – A significant jump in the number of local and overseas transactions since the novel coronavirus pandemic was what the National Commercial (NCB) said has contributed to the over $110 million in revenue generated by approximately 800 local businesses utilising its e-commerce solutions… more
No tax cuts for tablets, computers — charity
Jamaica – CALLS for the authorities to remove import taxes from tablets and computers are falling on deaf ears, according to information gathered from a reliable source close to policy development in the Government… more
Port Authority ponders listing of BPO assets
Jamaica – Prime Minister (PM) Andrew Holness has requested that the board of the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) explore listing of its business process outsourcing (BPO) facilities on the Jamaica Stock Exchange… more
The makings of a digital society
Jamaica – The world we now live in has got a serious reality check in the form of COVID-19. It has forced us to reassess how we do even the most basic of things… more
Scotiabank Trinidad and Tobago named Best Consumer Digital Bank 2021
Trinidad and Tobago – Scotiabank has been named Trinidad and Tobago’s Best Consumer Digital Bank 2021 by Global Finance of New York… more
Thursday, 2 September 2021
Bank of the Bahamas selects Newgen to streamline banking operations
Bahamas – Newgen Software, a global provider of digital transformation platform, announced that Bank of the Bahamas Limited has implemented Newgen’s banking solutions to automate its online account opening, retail lending origination, commercial lending, and collections processes. more
MORE OPTIONS, LESS MONEY: Cable Bahamas rolls out repackaging campaign; says cost savings ahead
Bahamas – Cable Bahamas has announced that its TV subscribers can now enjoy new package options and cost savings as a result of its “Imagine” repackaging campaign… more
Data-driven project launched to help arrest scourge
Barbados – Public security and transnational crime-fighting in Barbados and other Caribbean states are in line for a major boost under the CariSECURE Citizen Security programme… more
BTL Chairman: ‘Outbreak of COVID cases will not affect service delivery
Belize – Chairman of the Board of Belize Telemedia Limited, Mark Lizarraga, confirmed today that there has been an outbreak of COVID-19 detected among the company’s staff, but that customers can rest assured service will not be affected… more
GTT’s CEO promise of change did not materialise
Guyana – Dear Editor, On July 16th, 2021, in utter frustration, I penned a letter regarding GTT’s extortive policy of only giving customers one hour to roll over their fully paid 3 day data plan into a new plan or lose their data… more
Fibre optic cable for sections of St Mary
Jamaica – Arlene Thomas is looking forward to her grandson maintaining his perfect attendance record for online classes when the new school year begins… more
Over 2,000 professionals embark on upskilling and reskilling journey
Jamaica – Over 2,000 Jamaicans have commenced training under the free Training for Professionals Programme by the Flow Foundation, in partnership with One on One Educational Services Ltd. The training was kicked off at two virtual orientation events on Monday, August 30… more
Tricia-Ann Smith DaSilva | The future of work – Are you ready?
Jamaica – Over the years, there have been substantial progressive developments in the work world… more
Avaya flies high on new cloud systems
Trinidad and Tobago – Avaya’s success was front and centre for the company’s online Engage conference last week… more
Davyn named Microsoft partner for T&T 2021
Trinidad and Tobago – For the second time in three years, Davyn has been named as the winner of the Microsoft Country Partner of the Year Award for T&T. Davyn was crowned the Microsoft Country Partner of the Year for T&T this year, when the winners for the 2021 competition were announced a few weeks ago… more
Digital Transformation Minister makes presentation at Cabinet retreat
Trinidad and Tobago – Minister of Digital Transformation Hassel Bacchus delivered a presentation on day two of the Cabinet’s retreat in Tobago, a post on the Prime Minister’s Facebook page said on Thursday… more
Flow TT VP Simone Martin-Sulgan details company’s move past pandemic
Trinidad and Tobago – Flow TT has been making strides and pivoting its work model and services, according to vice president Simone Martin-Sulgan, to operate in the covid19 pandemic… more
Scotiabank Trinidad and Tobago voted best consumer digital bank 2021
Trinidad and Tobago – In a statement, Scotiabank said it was selected based on the strength of strategy for attracting and servicing digital customers, growth of digital customers, and success in getting clients to use its product offerings… more
Friday, 3 September 2021
MORE DIGITAL USE: Scotiabank Bahamas reports 61 percent increase in mobile and online banking usage
Bahamas – Scotiabank has seen a 61 percent increase in the use of mobile and online banking over the past 18 months, due in part to COVID-19 restrictions on in-person branch visits, according to one executive… more
Politics in TRC blocked my telecoms improvement efforts as minister
British Virgin Islands – Former Minister for Communications under the previous NDP administration, Mark Vanterpool said the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) was riddled with politics and this prevented him from carrying forward his agenda while he held the portfolio… more
Cayman entrepreneur’s fintech start-up selected for accelerator
Cayman Islands – Cayman-based entrepreneur Michelle Morgan’s Canadian tech company Advanced Alternative Investment Systems (AdvancedAIS) has been accepted into the Fintech Innovation Lab: Asia Pacific, a 12-week accelerator programme… more
New OfReg Board Chairman Appointed
Cayman Islands – Bringing over 35 years of telecommunications experience to the role, Rudy Ebanks has been appointed by Cabinet as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Utility Regulation and Competition (OfReg)… more
Dominican Republic’s telecom sector calm amidst Covid-19 upheaval
Dominican Republic – The Dominican Republic’s telecom sector continued its solid though unspectacular form throughout 2020 and into 2021, shrugging off the economic turmoil unleashed by the Covid-19 pandemic to maintain a decade-long run of low but positive growth across all areas of the market… more
Intelsat is Partnering with coreNOC to Provide Internet Connectivity to the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic – Intelsat, operator of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial network, has entered into a synergistic partnership with coreNOC, Audio Union International, KM Systems and an undisclosed capital fund… more
GTT rebrands Blaze internet with higher speeds
Guyana – Aimed at providing enhanced 21st century connectivity for customers across the country with increased data speeds, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) yesterday announced that an additional $2B will be invested towards the upgrade of its fibre-optic internet service… more
EduFocal Academy now a viable online full-time option for primary students
Jamaica – Come Tuesday, September 7, students from grades four through six will be able to access online full-time school via EduFocal.com, EduFocal Academy announced in a release on Friday… more
Growth Tech lands $-multimillion contract with Real Equity
Jamaica – REGIONAL technology company Growth Tech Limited has inked a multimillion-dollar deal with development company Real Equity Limited… more
Neptune Communications launching in Jamaica
Jamaica – Barbados-based Neptune Communications, Inc has announced the launch of its operations in Jamaica… more
Uber to offer 3,000 free rides to vaccination centres
Jamaica – From September 1 to September 30, 2021, Uber will offer 3,000 free leases to support the COVID-19 vaccination process in Kingston… more
Flow country manager confident no island will be isolated in an emergency
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – LAST WEEK FRIDAY August 27, FLOW SVG launched its upgraded services to the Bequia, with Internet speed up to 250 mbps, a vast improvement from the past download speed… more
Saturday, 4 September 2021
Scotiabank named Best Consumer Digital Bank 2021
Barbados – Scotiabank has been named Barbados’ Best Consumer Digital Bank 2021 by Global Finance (New York), which regularly selects the top performers among banks and financial services and is a trusted standard of excellence for the global financial community… more
Privatization, competition, and “interest” issues in telecommunications
Belize – It wouldn’t surprise anyone if former Prime Minister, Said Musa, said that handing control of BTL to Lord Michael Ashcroft and his Carlisle Group was the biggest mistake he made as leader of Belize. Some think it was our biggest blunder since Independence, almost 40 years ago… more
PBS to acquire affiliated tech firm in cash and shares deal
Jamaica – Productive Business Solutions Limited (PBS), which operates the Xerox franchise for the Caribbean and parts of Latin America, announced that it will acquire a third-party technology company branded as PBS Technology Group Limited (PBSTG) for cash and shares worth nearly US$53 million at Thursday’s pricing… more
Sunday, 5 September 2021
Education Ministry warns public against laptop scam
Jamaica – The Ministry of Education is warning the public against a payment scam involving laptops and tablet devices… more
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