A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 13 December to Sunday 19 December 2021.
Monday, 13 December 2021
Derek Smith: Combating The Threat Posed By Cyber Risks
Bahamas – Those who do not know the language of cyber security may think the topic is foreign. Compliance professionals should not forget that conversations about compliance, dripping in apparently infinite acronyms, can also sound foreign to those unfamiliar with the subject… more
National Bank of Belize Launches its Digital Mobile Wallet
Belize – It was a historic day on Friday, as the National Bank of Belize launched its very own digital wallet… more
Cyber attacks ‘becoming more sophisticated’
British Virgin Islands – Every business is vulnerable to cybersecurity threats regardless of its size, and Virgin Islands businesses should assess their risks and invest in appropriate preventive measures, two VI executives said during a webinar held last week as part of BVI Finance’s educational series on cybersecurity… more
GTT rolls out Fibre service in Non Pareil
Guyana – Residents of Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara area on Saturday warmly welcomed GTT Fibre to their community, as the company rolled out Fibrebroadband service there… more
iCreate brings Digital Learning Pathways to market via edX partnership
Jamaica – iCreate Institute recently announced the launch of Digital Learning Pathways through a partnership with edX, now part of 2U, said to be one of the world’s largest and most recognised online learning platforms… more
Tobago turns to tech
Trinidad and Tobago – Economic realities demand that Trinidad and Tobago seek alternative means of job creation and foreign exchange revenues. One area that has come into focus globally is the creative economy… more
Tuesday, 14 December 2021
High school students encouraged to sign up for e-sports initiative
Antigua and Barbuda – Students aged 13-17 are being encouraged to get onboard with a new e-sports programme being spearheaded by the Silicon Dadli group and several other partners… more
Digicel announces partnership with Symptai Consulting
Jamaica – Digicel Group today announced that it has acquired a stake in Caribbean-based Symptai Consulting Limited, which will result in the two companies partnering to help companies bring their strategic vision to life through technology… more
Digicel summoned to provide critical call data
Jamaica – THE Crown yesterday invoked its powers to haul telecommunications giant Digicel before the court in order to get critical call data records and cell site details linked to recorded conversations between alleged Klansman gangsters and several confiscated handsets which form part of the evidence in the case against 33 people accused of being members of the criminal organisation… more
Lluidas Vale and Kellits sparkle with fibre-fast connection
Jamaica – Residents in the communities of Lluidas Vale, St Catherine and Kellits, Clarendon now proudly boast access to fibre-fast internet with the recent launch of public Wi-Fi hotspots in their communities… more
USF provides $20M for second PBCJ 24-hour educational channel
Jamaica – The Universal Service Fund [USF] will be handing over $20 million to the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica [PBCJ] on Friday, December 17, at the PBCJ’s Odeon Avenue, Kingston 10 offices in a ceremony set to begin at 11:00 am… more
NTRC Statement on its Regulatory Function
Saint Lucia – The National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC/The Commission) was established due to the promulgation of the Telecommunications Act of 2000… more
Hearing impaired youths receive training and certification in digital skills at YTEPP
Trinidad and Tobago – Hearing-impaired young people between the ages of 15 and 24 years now have an opportunity to get certified in information and communication technology from YTEPP Limited, which prepares them to become graphic designers, mobile app developers, among other digital skill sets… more
T&T ready for cryptocurrency
Trinidad and Tobago – LAST week, Sekani Solomon, the Tobago-born motion designer who worked on the award-winning film Black Panther, bought two pieces of art at Think Art Studio on Cipriani Boulevard, Port of Spain… more
Wednesday, 15 December 2021
BRIDGE NETWORK BECOMES THE FIRST DEFI PROJECT LAUNCHED OUT OF BARBADOS
Barbados – As the cryptocurrency and blockchain world booms, Barbados becomes home to a decentralized finance (DeFi) project for the first time. Known as ‘Bridge Network’, the project allows anyone to move between blockchains in a frictionless and permissionless environment… more
Online Work Permit System Only Accepting New Work Permits
British Virgin Islands – Acting Labour Commissioner, Mrs. Michelle Mc Lean has said that the recently launched Online Work Permit System will only be accepting new work permit applications, effective immediately… more
Developing a high-performing cybersecurity mesh platform
Caribbean – As networks become more complex and distributed, seeing and responding to threats has become increasingly difficult… more
What size is your digital transformation parachute?
Caribbean – The needs of an organisation in digital transformation will be different based on the company’s level of maturity in both leadership and resources… more
WePlanet begins Beta testing its app
Dominica – WePlanet, an emerging social enterprise, announced on December 4th that they will be beginning their ‘Beta Testing Phase’… more
Guyana – Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband – Statistics and Analyses
Guyana – Just released, this edition of BuddeComm report outlines the latest developments and key trends in the telecoms markets… more
Three GTT customers win in e-billing campaign
Guyana – GTT’s ‘Opt in & win’ e-billing campaign continues to gather steam as three more customers have netted big prizes… more
100,000 youth to receive ICT training through OAS initiative
Jamaica – Minister of Science, Energy and Technology Daryl Vaz announced the launch of the Organization of American States-led (OAS) Youth Academy on Transformative Technologies for the Americas, which will provide information and communications technology (ICT) training to 10,000 youth across the Americas by 2024 and 100,000 youth by 2026… more
Estonia’s e-Governance Academy establishes a subsidiary in Jamaica
Jamaica – The e-Governance Academy, an Estonian non-profit foundation that assists public sector institutions worldwide in digital transformation, has established a subsidiary in Jamaica… more
JTA president wants greater commitment to set Wi-Fi for students
Jamaica – While applauding the latest initiatives to establish free community Wi-Fi access across Jamaica, including a new Internet hotspot in Grange Hill, Westmoreland, Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) President Winston Smith says greater willpower must be exercised in making Internet connectivity more accessible to students… more
Transparent BPO expands to Jamaica
Jamaica – USA -based business process outsourcing (BPO) company Transparent BPO is expanding its nearshore operations to Jamaica with the promise of some 2,000 jobs for call centre agents… more
Five new directors appointed to TATT board
Trinidad and Tobago – Senator Hassel Bacchus, Minister of Digital Transformation, presented instruments of appointment to new and returning members of the Board of Directors of the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) on Friday 10 December, 2021. The presentation took place at TATT’s head office in Barataria… more
Thursday, 16 December 2021
$2.5m Trial For Woman Accused Of Defrauding Cable Bahamas Adjourned
Bahamas – A magistrate yesterday adjourned the trial of a woman who was accused of stealing from and defrauding Cable Bahamas of more than $2.5m over a 12-month period… more
Digital Transformation Unit touts success of Mygateway platform
Bahamas – The Digital Transformation Unit (DTU) revealed in a press statement yesterday that the Mygateway platform, which was developed by a Bahamian software development team, has processed $19 million in duty exemptions and has a user base of 54,000 people in 25 countries, just one year after launching… more
Island-wide black-out from cable cut
Barbados – Barbadians were left without electricity for some time on Wednesday due to a “fault” that occurred near the Barbados Light & Power Company’s (BL&P) Spring Garden generation plant… more
Avaya introduces Experience Builders to assist in development of services
Caribbean – Avaya, a global leader in solutions to enhance and simplify communications and collaboration, is highlighting the ecosystem of Avaya Experience Builders™ this week at its ENGAGE 2021 user conference… more
Digicel strenghtens disaster recovery regime, announces webinar on business resilience
Caribbean – December in the Caribbean signals the end of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, and while hurricanes are not the be all and end all of disasters, in the region it does form a big part of disaster planning… more
Judicial Administration announces new e-filing systems
Cayman Islands – Judicial Administration said that an E-Filing, Case Management System and On-Line Payment Portal, CURIA, is being launched for the Financial Services Division, Civil and Family Proceedings Unit… more
GTT promises improved infrastructure for Berbice
Guyana – The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) yesterday committed to improved infrastructure and services in Berbice… more
Digicel hands over call data just before subpoena issued
Jamaica – Ahead of the delivery of a subpoena to force its hand to deliver critical call data records and cell site details linked to recorded conversations and several confiscated handsets in the case against 33 alleged members of the Klansman Gang, telecoms giant Digicel released the data, prosecutors disclosed yesterday… more
Huawei launches ICT Hub for tertiary students
Jamaica – Twenty-nine tertiary students were last month recognised at a graduation ceremony for completing the Seeds for the Future Programme, organised by ICT company Huawei Jamaica… more
Government Of St. Kitts And Nevis Forging Ahead Towards A Digital Transformation
Saint Kitts and Nevis – In her presentation on The Appropriation (2022) Bill, 2021, Minister of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the Honourable Akilah Byron-Nisbett, said the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is forging ahead with its objective of pursuing a digital economy and introducing new, innovative technologies that will help to ensure that the twin island Federation continues to play a leading role in the Caribbean and globally… more
PM Harris: Cable Has Strategically Positioned Itself to Support Digital Transformation
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The Team Unity Administration will give priority to three pillars identified to enable digital transformation in the public sector, and Prime Minister the Hon Dr.Timothy Harris is commending The Cable for strategically positioning itself to support digital transformation in the country… more
A tech Champion: Novo Farms Ltd
Trinidad and Tobago – Interest in revitalising agricultural production has been enjoying something of a boom in recent years, and along with it has come the increased relevance of using technology within agriculture and related industries… more
Digital Canopi builds a digital platform for regional authors
Trinidad and Tobago – On December 03, Royards Publishing introduced its new online e-book platform, Digital Canopi… more
Friday, 17 December 2021
Belize is modernizing its business registry into a fully digital online system
Belize – As part of its commitment to make doing business in Belize easier, the Government of Belize through the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) is shifting gears and has started the transformation of the business registry to convert it into a totally digital online system – the Belize Online Business Registry System… more
No more standing in lines at NAU, do it online
Cayman Islands – The Needs Assessment Unit said it has now launched a new online form to make it easier for clients to apply for financial assistance… more
Social assistance application goes digital
Cayman Islands – A new online form has been launched for clients of the Needs Assessment Unit to apply for financial assistance as part of government’s overhaul of the country’s welfare system… more
GTT throws its support behind the HerVenture app
Guyana – The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) announced its support towards the HerVenture app’s efforts to reach and develop women-led businesses… more
Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Cards Available December 20
Jamaica – Starting Monday (December 20), digital coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination cards will be available for download by inoculated Jamaicans… more
NCB rolls out digital wallet
Jamaica – LYNK, the fintech arm of the NCB Financial Group, is now rolling out its digital wallet, aiming to provide individuals with a fast and easy way to send and receive money on their smartphones… more
SVG launches MyChild helpline App
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – ST VINCENT AND the Grenadines (SVG) is one of four regional countries which today are launching a helpline application to make it easier for children to obtain psycho-social support… more
Saturday, 18 December 2021
– Nil –
Sunday, 19 December 2021
Advertising dollar to go digital
Jamaica – Head of the Advertising Association of Jamaica (AAJ) Arnold “JJ” Foote shared with the Jamaica Observer that the upsurge of advertising seen with traditional media in the final quarter of 2021 is only one plank of what companies are doing to recover revenue under conditions “which are not normal”… more
Wipay, C&WJCCU develop digital wallet
Jamaica – Financial technology provider WiPay has inked a partnership with Community & Workers of Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union Limited (C&WJCCU) to develop a digital wallet for the entity’s participation in the Bank of Jamaica’s (BOJ) Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) programme… more
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