A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 27 September to Sunday 3 October 2021.
Monday, 27 September 2021
Bahamas Telecommunications Strategic Analysis and Outlook to 2025-Analysis of Bahamas Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Bahamas – This contemporary research presentation and detailed market research synopsis on Bahamas Telecommunications market is a real time presentation of all the specific market developments that have a lingering impact on current growth trajectory, besides also harping on vital predications in the realm of future growth scope… more
BTL to hold AGM on Thursday, September 30
Belize – Belize Telemedia Limited will hold its 15th Annual General Meeting on Thursday, September 30, 2021, beginning at 10 a.m… more
Cayman Islands Telecommunications Strategic Analysis and Outlook to 2025-Analysis of Cayman Islands Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Cayman Islands – This contemporary research presentation and detailed market research synopsis on Cayman Islands Telecommunications market is a real time presentation of all the specific market developments that have a lingering impact on current growth trajectory, besides also harping on vital predications in the realm of future growth scope… more
Government to establish ID portal and national eID
Cayman Islands – Earlier this month, the government issued a request for proposals (the “RFP”) on the Cayman bonfire website (https://cayman.bonfirehub.com), inviting interested parties to submit proposals for the development of a national eID (National eID) and online services customer portal (Portal)… more
Dominica Telecommunications Strategic SWOT Analysis Review and Outlook to 2025-Analysis of Dominica Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Dominica – This contemporary research presentation and detailed market research synopsis on Dominica Telecommunications market is a real time presentation of all the specific market developments that have a lingering impact on current growth trajectory, besides also harping on vital predications in the realm of future growth scope… more
Grenada Telecommunications Strategic SWOT Analysis Review and Outlook to 2025-Analysis of Grenada Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Jamaica – This contemporary research presentation and detailed market research synopsis on Grenada Telecommunications market is a real time presentation of all the specific market developments that have a lingering impact on current growth trajectory, besides also harping on vital predications in the realm of future growth scope… more
Amber CEO, founder accepted into Forbes Technology Council
Jamaica – Dushyant Savadia, founder and CEO of the Amber Group, has been accepted into Forbes Technology Council… more
Internet cable theft disrupts online classes at Kellits High in Clarendon
Jamaica – Students and teachers at Kellits High School in Clarendon are among those now suffering without broadband Internet as thieves have stolen fibre optic cables in the area… more
One on One acquires 100% of Spark Online assets as it readies to re-enter B2C consumer market
Jamaica – AS part of its mission and vision to contribute to teaching excellence and enhancing learners’ success, innovative e-learning solutions company One on One Educational Services, headed by CEO Ricardo Allen, in a multimillion-dollar deal has acquired 100 per cent of the Spark Online assets of Spark Education Ltd… more
‘So addictive’: Online games distract some Jamaican students from learning
Jamaica – “Miss, you see dem game yere, dem very addicting, very addictive!”… more
St. Kitts and Nevis Telecommunications Strategic SWOT Analysis Review and Outlook to 2025-Analysis of St. Kitts and Nevis Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Saint Kitts and Nevis – This contemporary research presentation and detailed market research synopsis on St. Kitts and Nevis Telecommunications market is a real time presentation of all the specific market developments that have a lingering impact on current growth trajectory, besides also harping on vital predications in the realm of future growth scope… more
St. Lucia Telecommunications Strategic SWOT Analysis Review and Outlook to 2025-Analysis of St. Lucia Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Saint Lucia – This contemporary research presentation and detailed market research synopsis on St. Lucia Telecommunications market is a real time presentation of all the specific market developments that have a lingering impact on current growth trajectory, besides also harping on vital predications in the realm of future growth scope… more
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Telecommunications Strategic SWOT Analysis Review and Outlook to 2025-Analysis of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – This contemporary research presentation and detailed market research synopsis on St. Vincent and the Grenadines Telecommunications market is a real time presentation of all the specific market developments that have a lingering impact on current growth trajectory, besides also harping on vital predications in the realm of future growth scope… more
Trinidad and Tobago Telecommunications Strategic SWOT Analysis Review and Outlook to 2025-Analysis of Trinidad and Tobago Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Trinidad and Tobago – This contemporary research presentation and detailed market research synopsis on Trinidad and Tobago Telecommunications market is a real time presentation of all the specific market developments that have a lingering impact on current growth trajectory, besides also harping on vital predications in the realm of future growth scope… more
Tuesday, 28 September 2021
Minister Daryl Vaz to update Parliament on Broadband Initiative, distribute laptops to Parliamentarians
Jamaica – Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Daryl Vaz will provide an update on the National Broadband Initiative in the Parliament, today, September 28, 2021… more
DIGITIZATION OF SIDS NECESSARY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, SAYS PM HARRIS
Saint Kitts and Nevis – During the 76th UN General Assembly in speaking about the negative impacts the pandemic has had on St. Kitts and Nevis as well as similar Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Prime Minister, Dr. Timothy Harris, mentioned the benefits of the forced digitization of countries as a result of the pandemic… more
Wednesday, 29 September 2021
AI is key for ESG
Caribbean – With the news that fewer than half of all professional accountants have a basic understanding of how an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm works, now would appear to be the time to invest in building awareness of the impact that AI can have on ethics and sustainability… more
Microsoft says bye-bye to passwords
Caribbean – TIRED of coming up with complex passwords for the best security, only to forget them and have to start all over again? Well, Microsoft answered your prayers when it announced it has gone password-less… more
DSC to extend online learning
Dominica – Dominica State College’s Academic Calendar required students to return to face-to-face learning in October 2021… more
Digicel delivers on ‘Simply More’ promise with upgraded Digicel Prime Bundle
Guyana – Digicel customers are in for a Primetime treat with the news that Digicel Prime Bundles are getting a supercharged upgrade… more
Digicel, France’s Orange telecoms target Guyana, Suriname oil industry with new submarine fibre-optic cable
Guyana – Digicel on Wednesday announced that it has inked a deal with the France-based major international telecoms provider, Orange, to build a submarine fibre-optic cable that would link French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana and, Trinidad and Tobago and provide service to the rapidly emerging oil sector… more
Digicel Guyana owes Govt. $1B in fees
Guyana – U-Mobile Inc. which trades as Digicel, has recently come under scrutiny with the Government as rapid moves are apace to maximize the benefits of a liberalised telecommunications sector… more
GTT extends data rollover expiration to 24 hours, using latest mobile platform
Guyana – The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) on Wednesday announced that it has extended its data rollover expiration from one hour to 24 hours… more
$3b computer bill
Jamaica – The suspension of face-to-face classes in the advent of the coronavirus pandemic has cost the Government a whopping $3.3 billion for the procurement of electronic devices for online classes, Technology Minister Daryl Vaz reported on Tuesday… more
Kibwe McGann — Easy Does It
Jamaica – KIBWE McGann, country manager of WiPay Jamaica, developed a strong work ethic and learnt the art of connecting with people while working in his family’s auto business… more
Melarka Williams makes his stamp with TheHive
Jamaica – ENGINEER and digital transformation expert Melarka Williams has garnered over two decades’ experience in business transformation and engineering across three continents with some of the largest and most respected companies globally, such as Nestlé and Ericsson… more
More than $3B spent on electronic devices for students and teachers, says Vaz
Jamaica – Daryl Vaz, Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, has disclosed that the Government has spent more than $3 billion to procure electronic devices for students and teachers to aid with online learning which has been necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic… more
The Achilles heel to Jamaica’s Fintech future
Jamaica – THE inability to meet the demand for ease of access to financial services continues to cripple our emerging economy and its ability to contribute to our country’s gross domestic product (GDP) significantly… more
Vaz outlines Gov’t plan to address schools’ Internet access
Jamaica – As the country nears year two of the novel coronavirus pandemic and over a year of virtual learning, three quarters of the public school population, or more than 600,000 students, are still being hampered by poor quality or no Internet service… more
Animae Caribe partners with bmobile for StopMotion Competition
Trinidad and Tobago – As part of its 20th-anniversary celebration, Animae Caribe, the organisation behind the Caribbean’s premiere Animation and Digital Media Festival, has partnered with leading local telecommunications provider, bmobile to host a mobile stop motion competition open to local animation enthusiasts… more
Thursday, 30 September 2021
BTL Bounces Back
Belize – Belize Telemedia Limited’s Annual General Meeting for its fiscal year 2020/2021 was held virtually this morning… more
BTL CEO Optimistic About Future
Belize – The company projects an increase in net income to thirty million dollars by the end of fiscal year 2025/2026… more
Digicel issues region-wide COVID vaccine mandate for its employees
Caribbean – Regional telecommunications giant Digicel will require all employees to provide proof of full or partial vaccination OR a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test every 14 days to continue working at the company… more
Digicel says 100% of senior executives and 70% of staff in Jamaica vaccinated against COVID-19
Jamaica – In light of the COVID-19 mandate issued by the company yesterday, telecommunications giant, Digicel, has revealed that 100 per cent of their senior Jamaica executives have been vaccinated… more
Flow working to restore Internet in sections of Clarendon following cable theft
Jamaica – Telecommunication company Flow says its engineering and technical teams are continuing their investigation and assessments to determine the best option to facilitate the restoration of Internet service to the Kellits community and environs in Clarendon, including the Kellits High School… more
More Public Wi-Fi Hotspots
Jamaica – Seven additional Wi-Fi-hotspots will be established in major towns by the end of this financial year, as the Government continues to increase public access to free Internet service… more
Saint Lucia CONNECTED Activity Project Launch
Saint Lucia – The Ministry of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training launched a two-year initiative referred to as the Saint Lucia ConnectEd Activity… more
TelEm Group Open House of new TelTV+ service.
Sint Maarten – All the attractive features of TelEm Group’s new TelTV+ service will be on display at two Open House events being planned for the first two weeks in October… more
Friday, 1 October 2021
Secondary schools will resume face-to-face classes, while primary schools remain closed
Antigua and Barbuda – Cabinet has decided that as of Monday, secondary schools will be allowed to return to face-to-face learning once all students and staff have received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine… more
RBC: $20 ATM Halt Part Of Digital Drive
Bahamas – A senior Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) executive yesterday confirmed it has stopped issuing $20 notes through its automated teller machines (ATMs) as part of efforts to drive Bahamians towards digital banking… more
FLOW announces end to copper wire as fiber optics is fully in operation
Barbados – Barbados has become the first island in the Caribbean to be fully wired by fiber optics, said FLOW, the regional subsidiary of telecommunications giant Cable & Wireless as it completed its fibre to the home (FTTH) network rollout… more
FLOW says customers holding on to its services even in hard times
Barbados – Telecommunications company FLOW says Barbadians are still holding on to their services, albeit on a scaled back basis, even though many of them have become unemployed or underemployed as a result of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic… more
After TBR Lab accelerator, LUHU wins venture capital partnership
Caribbean – After eight weeks of participation in the TBR LAB startup accelerator program, followed by another five weeks in Silicon Valley, LUHU co-founder Zwede Hewitt, received a capital investment valuing the early stage company at US$3 million, bringing him one step closer to taking his company global… more
Digicel partners with Orange to build new fibre-optic ring
Caribbean – Triggered by the rising Caribbean demand for broadband due to oil rig investments and new 5G phone capacities, telecoms Digicel and Orange have announce a partnership to lay a new fibre-optic ring by 2024… more
Guyanese BPO, Midas, Expands Operations to Linden
Guyana – Guyanese BPO startup Midas Inc has launched a contact center in the country’s second-largest city of Linden, in a move that will create more than 250 jobs by June next year… more
AwiPay targets slice of online bill payment market
Jamaica – There’s a new player in Jamaica’s increasingly competitive online bill payment space… more
Digital vaccination cards by December
Jamaica – Jamaicans who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 are to start receiving digital vaccination cards in another three months, in line with the global move towards secured, machine-readable cards that are universally accepted and not vulnerable to fraud… more
EduFocal inks deal with Mayberry in push to raise capital
Jamaica – BROKERAGE firm, Mayberry Investments Limited has announced that it will now act as financial advisor to Jamaica’s leading social learning platform, EduFocal, as the online social learning portal seeks to raise capital… more
Gov’t Bolstering Cybersecurity – Minister Vaz
Jamaica – Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Daryl Vaz, says that the Government is bolstering the nation’s cybersecurity by creating the necessary legislative framework and strengthening international partnerships… more
Gov’t says it’s working on strategy to support national broadband network
Jamaica – The Government says it is working on a comprehensive National Broadband Strategy that will support the islandwide broadband network being developed… more
October Is Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Jamaica – October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and the Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team (Ja-CIRT) will be staging several webinars to help citizens stay safe online under the theme ‘Do Your Part, Be Cyber Smart’… more
Online Food Delivery Company To Be Launched November 1 In Montego Bay
Jamaica – New tech start-up company, Road Jockey, will be joining Jamaica’s online food delivery market on November 1, in an effort to tap into the pandemic-driven surge in delivery demand… more
The Cable leverages internet technology to assist the education sector
Saint Kitts and Nevis – All schools in St Kitts will benefit from the generosity of The Cable with an upgrade to their Internet speed. High schools, primary schools and preschools will be powered by the company’s Xtreme Internet package which delivers download speeds of up to 160 megs and upload speeds of up to 35 megs… more
Saturday, 2 October 2021
Digicel builds Deep Blue One subsea cable
Caribbean – Digicel is making a significant investment in international submarine capacity with the build of its Deep Blue One subsea cable and has signed a partnership agreement with Orange to extend the system from Trinidad to French Guiana… more
Rock Mobile investing $13b in telecom network
Jamaica – Rock Mobile plans to invest US$90 million ($13 billion) over the next few years to build out a network of full-fledged telecom services that will go up against heavy hitters Digicel and Flow Jamaica for market share… more
Sunday, 3 October 2021
China’s crypto ban could hurt economy
Jamaica – China’s blanket ban on cryptocurrencies could hurt the economy according to wealth advisor at Ideal Portfolio Services, Dwayne Taylor… more
Image credits: Karolina Grabowska (Pixabay); Wikipedia; Wikimedia Commons; Wikimedia Commons; Wikipedia; Facebook; The Cable
