A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 28 February to Sunday 6 March 2022.
Monday, 28 February 2022
Bahamas Government Board Members of BTC paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Davis
Bahamas – The Bahamas Government Board members of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Davis at the Office of the Prime Minister to discuss various matters concerning BTC, on 23 February 2022… more
Exchange controls a barrier to cryptocurrency growth locally, notes crypto expert
Bahamas – Exchange controls in The Bahamas remain a barrier to the growth and the use of cryptocurrency, crypto expert Dr. P. Jillian Bethel told Guardian Business yesterday, adding though that there remain ways for the industry to creatively deal with that barrier… more
Google Certificate in Data Analytics Program being offered to Belize’s youths
Belize – Belizean youths between the ages of 14 and 29 years old will have an opportunity to participate in a course through which they can earn a Google Certificate in Data Analytics… more
DCash Shows Why Fedcoin Could Be A Disaster
Caribbean – The United States is seriously planning to issue FedCoin, a CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency), following the lead of the Chinese government and others around the world… more
A conversation on NFTs
Jamaica – As the technology advances, there are a lot of changes we are faced with. An average person has a choice; either adapt to the newness of the ever-changing world or be held hostage to the past by the things we don’t understand… more
Central Bank on cryptocurrencies: No restrictions on purchases
Trinidad and Tobago – TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO’s Central Bank said last week that it is not blocking commercial banks from selling foreign exchange to their customers to purchase cryptocurrencies… more
TSTT on board with roaming cuts
Trinidad and Tobago – MAJORITY State-owned TSTT says it supports last week’s agreement by the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union on the proposed reduction of intra-Caricom roaming rates… more
Tuesday, 1 March 2022
Apex mobile app makes it easier to repay debt
Bahamas – For more than a quarter of a century, the Centerville-based debt collection agency Apex has focused its efforts on tracking down and obtaining payments from consumers who have left their bills unpaid… more
Number portability, new telecoms provider coming soon
Barbados – Within the next few months, Barbadians will be able to switch their mobile and fixed landline numbers between service providers… more
TRC to postpone public hearing on adoption of amendments to unitary licence
British Virgin Islands – This press release is in furtherance to the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission’s (Commission) Press Release and Notice issued on 21 February 2022 in relation to the public hearing to be held on 1 March 2022, for the proposed adoption of amendments to the Unitary Licences as contained in the Notice to Adopt a Directive on the Amendment of Unitary Licences issued by the Commission on 30 December 2021… more
#BTColumn – Leveraging Web 3.0 to boost business
Caribbean – A decline in tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic reminded the Caribbean of their need for economic diversification. An area for consideration is the “orange” economy which, given the region’s rich cultural assets, presents endless opportunities… more
Cutting Edge Tech Solutions On Display at CANTO’S 38th AGM
Caribbean – Operators, regulators and other stakeholders in the telecommunications industry were exposed to a number of leading solutions to facilitate the digital transformation of their operations at CANTO’s 38th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held virtually on February 10th-11th, 2022… more
SMART online safety tips for pre-teens and parents
Jamaica – Important and easy-to-remember online tips for children were shared by the Flow Foundation in their Kids’ Talk session as the organisation continued its advocacy for online safety during Safer Internet Week, February 8-12… more
DIGICEL offers $50,000 in prime jackpot campaign
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – TELECOMMUNICATIONS company, Digicel said it is giving its customers a number of ways to win in their Prime Plus $50K Jackpot Regional Campaign which opened on February 25 and runs until April 8, 2022… more
Wednesday, 2 March 2022
Fortinet offering free security assessment
Caribbean – Fortinet has launched a free service for industrial organisations to assess the cybersecurity maturity level of their operational technology (OT) environments… more
Leverage a single, secure platform that connects departments across campus
Caribbean – Higher education institutions need digital campuses that reflect how users create and interact with information… more
Make sure your team understands
Caribbean – What does it really mean to transform digitally? The struggle of translating this for both the public and private sectors remains a challenge! … more
IDB Lab to invest US$950,000 for 1,000 students to learn STEM subjects
Guyana – STEMGuyana is set to benefit from the financial support of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) through its IDB Lab, which will help some 1,000 children across 40 communities in all ten regions of Guyana… more
Issuing of NIDS ID cards to be piloted in corporate area
Jamaica – The issuing of identification cards (IDs) under the National Identification System (NIDS) will begin through a pilot programme to be undertaken in Kingston and St Andrew… more
Digicel ends ‘Safer Internet Month’ on a high note
Jamaica – Having marked February as Safer Internet Month, telecommunications provider Digicel is reporting that more Jamaicans are now empowered to take action and make the Internet a safer, better place for all… more
Stolen TSTT cables recovered
Trinidad and Tobago – Cables belonging to state telecoms company TSTT were found in Laventille on Monday morning… more
Thursday, 3 March 2022
Central Bank integrates Sand Dollar with Bahamas Automated Clearing House
Bahamas – The Central Bank of The Bahamas has completed the initial integration of the Bahamian dollar digital currency, Sand Dollar, with the Bahamas Automated Clearing House (BACH) system… more
Gov’t seeking to reduce BVI’s over-reliance on cash transactions
British Virgin Islands – The BVI will soon be moving away from cash transactions if all goes as planned for the territory’s leadership… more
Caribbean’s online payment facilitator WiPay selects Amsterdam-based Fraudio to prevent financial fraud
Caribbean – WiPay, the Caribbean’s online payment facilitator, has chosen Amsterdam-based Fraudios’ technology as an intelligent solution for fraud management. The partnership announcement comes as the company develops its user base and enters new markets… more
DCash Service to Resume Next Week
Caribbean – The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) is completing the final testing and assurance exercises following the system upgrades and will make the DCash platform available for public use, next week… more
Huawei: Mobile tech key to closing connectivity gaps in Latin America, Caribbean
Caribbean – Latin America and the Caribbean has yet to close a gap in connectivity when it comes to telecommunications network, but the new generation of technologies like 5G, together with increasing penetration of smart phones and devices may mean greater chances of closing the connectivity gap, senior executives of Huawei said at the Mobile World Congress on Tuesday… more
Roaming Charges to disappear; CARICOM initiates historic signing with Regional Telecoms Giants
Caribbean – A declaration towards the reduction of roaming charges between CARICOM states has been signed. The ceremony took place in Grenada, where it was led by Prime Minister of Grenada Dr Keith Mitchell; Rodney Taylor, Secretary General of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union and joining virtually Hon Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados… more
Second Wi-Fi hotspot installed in East Rural St Andrew
Jamaica – The constituency of St Andrew East Rural benefited Monday from a second installation of a state-sponsored community Wi-Fi hotspot for 2022… more
How to export your products to US, Canada with Caribshopper
Trinidad and Tobago – As much as everyone is tired of hearing about the pandemic some two years later, there have been some silver linings for us in the Caribbean, if you have been paying attention… more
Young: TSTT privatisation talk ‘premature’
Trinidad and Tobago – Any talk of privatisation where the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) is concerned, is premature… more
Friday, 4 March 2022
BTC CEO: 5G technology by second half of 2022
Bahamas – Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) could begin to roll out 5G network technology by the second half of the year, the company’s Chief Executive Officer André Foster told Guardian Business yesterday, explaining that the company plans to “set the stage for the future of BTC” before the end of the year… more
BTC HQ’s Sale Likely To Complete In 2022
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) long-time JFK Drive headquarters will likely be sold this year, it was revealed yesterday, as the carrier seeks to enter the data centre market… more
BTC looking at efficiency, solar tech in the face of rising costs
Bahamas – In the face of rising oil prices that could come with huge spikes in energy costs, and with the ongoing rise in the cost of goods due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) Chief Executive Officer André Foster said the company is looking at ways it can become more efficient and stem costs, adding that they have done a “fairly good job” at not passing rising costs on to customers… more
BTC To Be ‘Shining Jewel’ Among CWC
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) chief executive yesterday unveiled ambitions to become “the shining jewel” for its immediate parent by “accelerating” growth every year… more
Crypto Exchange To Build ‘7-Storey’ Hotel
Bahamas – The world’s second largest cryptocurrency exchange has included a 38-room, seven storey hotel in the plans for its proposed $50-$60m western New Providence headquarters… more
Entrepreneurship Centre To Boost Digital Transition
Bahamas – Grand Bahama’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation will benefit thousands of Bahamians by equipping them with the skills to exploit the fast-evolving digital economy… more
BUSINESS BYTE: C&W Communications commits to lower roaming rates
Caribbean – C&W Communications, the operators of Flow, Flow Business and C&W Business, has announced a suite of new roaming plans to coincide with The Declaration of St George’s towards the reduction of Intra-CARICOM roaming charges… more
Digicel gives all customers free calls and texts from their home country to the Ukraine
Caribbean – In a show of solidarity for the people of Ukraine and their loved ones and supporters around the world, Digicel is giving customers across the Caribbean and Central America the ability to call and text from their home country to the Ukraine for free from today… more
21-year-old suspected scammer charged
Jamaica – A suspected lottery scammer from Rowe Town in Westmoreland has been charged, following his arrest during a special operation by the police yesterday… more
Blind computer repairman has vision to uplift his family
Jamaica – Disabled but not deterred is the phrase that best describes the character of Dean Anthony Whyte, a blind man who lives in Longsville Park, Clarendon… more
BPO boss defends working conditions in the sector
Jamaica – Country manager and associate vice-president for Sutherland Global Services Claude Duncan has added his voice to other leaders in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry who have rejected claims of poor treatment of employees… more
Digicel Business & Symptai Consulting help firms rethink cybersecurity
Jamaica – Digicel Business and Symptai Consulting last Friday presented a sobering picture to business leaders about making cybersecurity a top priority… more
DIGICEL Appoints New CEOs
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Digicel St. Vincent and the Grenadines has a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective March 01, 2022… more
Calling out TSTT
Trinidad and Tobago – Over the last few months, the union representing workers at the majority State-owned Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) has been warning of a “state of things to come” at this enterprise… more
CIBC First Caribbean launches Online Financial Coach
Trinidad and Tobago – CIBC First Caribbean has launched its latest monetary device, CIBC FirstCaribbean 1st Insights, to assist purchasers’ higher handle and enhance their funds… more
Saturday, 5 March 2022
Communications company provides free mobile calls to Ukraine
Regional – C&W Communications is assisting those trying to connect with loved ones in Ukraine by offering free long distance calling and texts from its Caribbean markets, a release from the telecommunications company said… more
Cybersecurity experts warn against Russian cyber attacks
Trinidad and Tobago – As the deadly Russia/Ukraine conflict enters its second week, experts are warning of a less visible yet formidable threat by invaders… more
‘TSTT enquiry must not ignore union’
Trinidad and Tobago – THE Communications Workers Union (CWU) is questioning why it was not included on the Cabinet sub-committee that was appointed to analyse whether majority State-owned TSTT is fit for purpose in a world where the telecommunications industry is being revolutionised… more
Sunday, 6 March 2022
GTT launches Fibre + Voice Service
Guyana – GTT, Guyana’s premier telecoms provider, has announced that ‘Fibre Just Got Better’ with the introduction of its Fibre + Voice service… more
Images credit: Priscilla Du Preez (Unsplash); Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Central Bank of Bahamas (Twitter); The Eleutheran; Wikipedia
