A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 9 May to Sunday 15 May 2022.
Monday, 9 May 2022
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Tuesday, 10 May 2022
Airbnb lists BVI as a viable destination for ‘digital nomads’
British Virgin Islands – As the Caribbean tourism industry continues to recover from the impact of COVID-19, Airbnb has partnered with the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) to promote certain Caribbean territories, such as the Virgin Islands, as a viable destinations for digital nomads to live and work anywhere… more
Cybercrime poses biggest threat to businesses – as the impact of hackers becomes more destructive
Caribbean – Cybercrime tops the list of current threats facing businesses, while emerging risks from ESG-reporting fraud and platform fraud could impact businesses in the future… more
Wednesday, 11 May 2022
GTT and shareholder, ATN International, launch call centre in Guyana with focus on at-home operations
Guyana – The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) company on Wednesday announced that it has joined with its United States-based shareholder, ATN International, to launch a call centre in Guyana that would serve the telecoms company and clients worldwide through a mix that would include decentralised at-home operations… more
A letter from future Jamaica, 2122
Jamaica – Here I am headed to the 2122 Formula 1 Race around downtown. You probably wonder how I am writing this and driving simultaneously; both are amusing questions… more
Financial inclusion and digital currency
Jamaica – The tedious and time-consuming process of opening a traditional bank account has been one of Jamaica’s financial system’s most common pain points for many years… more
Jam-Dex stalled
Jamaica – After successfully navigating several phases of the central bank digital currency (CBDC) roll-out, the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) has disclosed that it cannot launch Jam-Dex fully until critical legislative amendments are approved and passed by lawmakers… more
Jody-Ann Jones, Data Sensei
Jamaica – In her nine-to-five role, Dr Jody-Ann Jones is a public affairs professional at the United States Department of State… more
Cabinet sub-committee stops TSTT retrenchment
Trinidad and Tobago –THE Cabinet sub-committee on Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) has advised the company to halt its retrenchment and restructuring exercise, until the findings of the committee have been completed… more
Flow celebrates admin professionals
Trinidad and Tobago – Administrative professionals at Flow met for a day of self-development, food and laughter, when the company celebrated Administrative Professionals Day at its Trincity head office… more
Thursday, 12 May 2022
ArawakX set to bring 12 more firms to its crowdfunding platform
Bahamas – ArawakX is set to soon bring 12 more companies to its crowdfunding platform, the company’s Chief Technology Officer D’Arcy Rahming Jr. said yesterday, explaining that the documentation for the companies is currently with the Securities Commission of The Bahamas… more
Joint Working Space For Crypto-Curious
Bahamas – Crypto Isle has opened a co-working space, and launched a masterclass series for those curious about crypto as well as seasoned professionals… more
Dominica joins AIRBNB’S “Live and Work Anywhere” campaign to welcome digital nomads
Dominica – Dominica has joined the Airbnb “Live and Work Anywhere” campaign to promote the destination to the growing number of digital nomads worldwide… more
GTT to transfer 214 employees to new customer service business
Guyana – The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) and its shareholder ATN yesterday announced the launch of a customer service business which will see the transfer of 214 employees of the phone company… more
Replicate GTT’s ‘can do’ attitude and there is no limit with where Guyanese can go
Guyana – Dear Editor, I am always pleased when there is a positive development to share in the media. It encourages those responsible, sets a baseline for similar or better, and leaves fellow citizens hopeful… more
BOJ calls for Jam-Dex ecosystem
Jamaica – The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) is again making an appeal for eligible wallet providers to join the Jam-Dex ecosystem… more
Digicel spends US$10m in Debe/Penal connectivity expansion
Trinidad and Tobago – AT a cost of US$10 million over the next three years, telecommunications provider Digicel has undertaken an expansion exercise into the Debe and Penal… more
Nalis, YTEPP partner to improve access to technology
Trinidad and Tobago – The National Library and Information System (Nalis) and the Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme (YTEPP) signed a memorandum of co-operation on Thursday at Nalis, Abercromby Street, Port of Spain… more
Friday, 13 May 2022
Cryptocurrency survey finds investors want more regulatory certainty
Bahamas – Sixty percent of the players in the cryptocurrency space see greater clarity around regulation as the key to the growth in crypto adoption, a SALT survey during the recent Crypto Bahamas conference found… more
Website, app aiming to provide platform for small business growth
Bahamas – A newly launched local website and application is aiming to become the go-to platform for information on The Bahamas, with features that can also help promote local small businesses… more
CDD to host community technology programmes
Barbados – The Community Development Department (CDD), in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, will host a series of free computer courses, commencing May 23, 2022… more
Caribbean targets digital nomads
Caribbean – The Caribbean has intensified its efforts to attract more digital nomads to the region by marketing its destinations as a one-stop shop for remote workers… more
GTT’s 214-strong Customer Care team to be transitioned to Arrowhead business
Guyana – A total of 214 persons in GTT’s Customer Care team, tasked with servicing its needs and that of other subsidiaries of ATN International (ATN) in USA, Bermuda and US Virgin Islands, will be transitioned to and employed by the new Arrowhead Communications Inc. business (Arrowhead) by June 2022… more
Jam-Dex roll-out ongoing — BOJ
Jamaica – BOJ said National Commercial Bank (NCB) is offering Jam-Dex through its digital wallet, Lynk… more
No hassle transferring Jam-Dex
Jamaica – THE National Commercial Bank (NCB), which is the first financial entity approved by the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) to distribute Jam-Dex, has indicated that consumers will be able to move their digital currency around with ease… more
Kurleigh Prescod takes up new role at TATT
Trinidad and Tobago – The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago announced on May 05, 2022 that Kurleigh Prescod had been appointed Executive Officer, Technology and Engineering… more
Saturday, 14 May 2022
E-Networks now operates Guyana’s largest Fiber-Optic Backbone
Guyana – Since Guyana’s telecommunications sector’s liberalisation in October 2020, E-Networks Inc. – the only locally owned telecommunications service provider – has massively expanded its network to bring better services to more people… more
Police officers for cyber security course in India as on-site training resumes
Guyana – Beginning May 2022,the High Commission of India in Guyana will once again be accepting applications for on-site training in India, under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, after a stoppage due to Covid-19 pandemic according to release yesterday from the High Commission… more
Sunday, 15 May 2022
Digicel Guyana recognised for best mobile network, best mobile coverage and fastest mobile network
Guyana – Digicel offers customers in Guyana the best mobile network, as well as the best coverage and the best speeds – that’s according to Ookla, the global leaders in internet testing and analysis… more
Metrology in the Digital Era
Guyana – Metrology is the science of measurements. Can you think of some things which are not measured? It is easier to think of the many things which are measured as you engage in daily activities at home, at work and in commerce… more
Banking on BPO
Jamaica – BOTH government and private sector developers have been investing in infrastructure for business process outsourcing (BPO), aiming to benefit from the leases and rentals in US dollars paid by many overseas operators… more
BPO: Opportunities and challenges
Jamaica – The International Finance Center (IFC) — the private sector arm of the World Bank Group — has identified the global services sector (otherwise called business process outsourcing) as one of two burgeoning drivers of the Jamaican economy over the next five years… more
HIGH ENERGY AND HIGH STAKES DIGICEL GRADUATE PROGRAMME ATTRACTS 799 TOP DRAWER APPLICANTS
Jamaica – With applications for the inaugural Digicel Graduate Programme closing on 31st January and an impressive 799 high calibre applicants applying, the successful 18 candidates who together make up the Class of ‘24 started their induction week in Jamaica on Monday… more
Images credit: The Blue Diamond Gallery; Wikipedia; Bank of Jamaica; Arawakx; Wikimedia Commons; Guyana Chronicle; Wikipedia
