A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 27 December 2021 to Sunday 2 January 2022.
Monday, 27 December 2021
Smart cities to boost crime fighting
Jamaica – Jamaica’s runaway crime rate has served as impetus for the full transformation of Kingston into a smart city, fuelling high expectations that heavy investments in information and communication technologies (ICTs) will deliver positive results… more
Tuesday, 28 December 2021
TECH UPGRADE ON THE AGENDA: URCA to assess 5G and feasibility of third mobile operator in 2022
Bahamas – The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) has revealed plans to lead engagements with industry stakeholders as well as national public consultation on the introduction of 5G technology in 2022… more
Flow Foundation enabling the progress of Jamaicans
Jamaica – Thousands of Jamaicans are being empowered through various initiatives and partnerships courtesy of the Flow Foundation as it continues to enable the progress of Jamaicans through its Digital Education Programme and increased connectivity to communities and schools… more
IDB donates laptops
Jamaica – Kaysia Kerr (right), CEO of the National Parenting Support Commission, gleefully examines one of five laptops presented by Charmaine Edmondson-Nelson, resource planning and administration senior specialist of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)… more
Local company introduces hybrid e-commerce experience
Jamaica – Splashmarketja.com was launched in Jamaica on the biggest shopping day of the year – Black Friday, November 26, 2021. The company is an online marketplace offering a variety of items… more
Portmore community welcomes free wi-fi
Jamaica – Newlands community in Portmore, St Catherine, has become the first in the area to get free wi-fi under the Universal Service Fund (USF) initiative to increase internet service in various communities… more
Wednesday, 29 December 2021
Indotel ends 2021 as the best year in its history, motoring resources and investments for almost RD $ 20 billion
Dominican Republic – The Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel) ended the year 2021 with the implementation of multiple actions, initiatives and projects that marked unprecedented milestones for the institution, and contributed to consolidating growth and driving the projection of investments in the sector… more
EduCom raises capital to fund digital transformation
Jamaica – EduCom Co-operative Credit Union recently raised over $243 million in capital through a private deferred share offer to its members and other member organisations that closed on Wednesday, December 1, 2021… more
Onwards to 2022
Jamaica – What a year we have had on the technology front. While 2020 demanded dramatic changes in how we all use technology, this past year pointed us to the future, which requires us to catch up on all those areas that seem intractable… more
Thursday, 30 December 2021
Central Bank on target to integrate Sand Dollar platform with RTGS, ACH systems
Bahamas – The Central Bank of The Bahamas (CBOB) has revealed it is on target to complete the integration of its digital currency platform with the real-time gross settlement system (RTGS) and automated clearing house (ACH) system by the end of 2021… more
Central Bank seeking to eliminate all check cashing activities by Dec. 2024
Bahamas – Noting the rise in digital payments preferences in The Bahamas and the rest of the world, the Central Bank of The Bahamas (CBOB) yesterday announced that is moving toward the strategic elimination of Bahamian dollar checks by December 2024… more
Creating a technology-driven court system
Jamaica – As the judiciary closes another court term, I take this opportunity to highlight some of the incremental gains which have been made during the term. These gains will contribute in a positive way to the overall adjudication of justice in Jamaica… more
Early 2022 target for NIDS
Jamaica – Minister of Science, Energy and Technology Daryl Vaz says that his ministry is playing its part in ensuring an early introduction of the National Identification and Registration Act, 2021 (NIDS Bill) in the new year… more
Stakeholders Grateful For Ministry Of Education’s Robotics Workshop
Jamaica – Stakeholders and participants in the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Information’s robotics workshop are hoping the new year will bring another staging of the programme, as they have deemed it a fulfilling and worthwhile project which teaches a valuable skill… more
Digicel Foundation invites NPOs to apply for funding
Trinidad and Tobago – The Digicel Foundation is inviting registered Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) to apply for funding through its organisation… more
Friday, 31 December 2021
Bahamas chartered the course for digital currencies in 2021
Bahamas – Despite plethora fiscal and economic challenges, The Bahamas still managed, in the midst of a pandemic, to make a name for itself as a small nation leading the way in digital currencies… more
Central Bank of The Bahamas to eliminate cheques by 2024
Bahamas – The Central Bank of The Bahamas has begun taking steps to eliminate the use of cheques issued by domestic financial institutions by the end of 2024… more
Central Bank to take foreign exchange apps online
Barbados – Barbados’ banks and their customers will soon be able to complete foreign currency transactions more speedily. With the rollout of Forex Online on January 3, 2022, users of the system will benefit from the convenient and user-friendly electronic interface that allows them to apply to send funds abroad in just a few clicks… more
Online transactions subject to consumer protection laws
Barbados – With an increased number of local firms relying heavily on online commerce, the island’s consumer protection regulator has issued a new retail business guide to ensure businesses are kept up to speed with the provisions of the consumer protection legislation… more
TRC updating licensing terms as telecoms providers seek renewal
British Virgin Islands – As the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) reviews applications from local telecoms providers seeking to renew their license to operate in the BVI, the Commission has announced that it will make several amendments to the terms and conditions of its licensing agreement… more
Dominican Republic telco services keep growing
Dominican Republic – The number of phone accesses in the Dominican Republic grew 0.80% in October, compared to the previous month, reaching 10.7mn lines… more
Bank of Jamaica’s CBDC Pilot Project a Success
Jamaica – Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) pilot… more
Digicel celebrates over 800,000 winners in Christmas promotion
Jamaica – Just halfway through theDigicel ‘More Ways to Win’ promotion, the Digital Operator has already awarded over 800,000 customers with cash and prizes… more
JCF rolls out electronic traffic ticketing system
Jamaica – The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) on Thursday rolled out its new Smart Check E-Ticketing System in the Corporate Area… more
Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate Launched
Saint Lucia – The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs in collaboration with the Division of Public Sector Modernization has rolled out Saint Lucia’s COVID-19 Digital Vaccination Certificate Programme on Wednesday December 29, 2021… more
Saturday, 1 January 2022
Scotiabank Bahamas Urging Use of Digital Channels Amid Branch Closures Due to COVID-19
Bahamas – Scotiabank Bahamas is reminding customers that they can continue to access a wide variety of banking services using the Bank’s digital service channels even as the Bank faces operational challenges at two locations due rising local positive cases of COVID-19… more
Sunday, 2 January 2022
Flow not flowing
Jamaica – Dear Claudienne, I live in the Kingston 8 area of the city. I am a frustrated customer of Flow who has not been able to see 40 per cent of my channels since October 5, 2021… more
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