A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 30 May to Sunday 5 June 2022.
Monday, 30 May 2022
No ‘$80K contract’ but Digicel hired in GIS TV venture
British Virgin Islands – Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has expressed that a contract exists in relation to a Government Information Services (GIS) television programme that was planned under the now-dismantled Andrew Fahie-led administration… more
Customs questioned on why IT system cost $1.1 million more than forecast
Cayman Islands – Members of the Public Accounts Committee questioned Customs and Border Control officials Wednesday on how a project to modernise the department’s IT system went from an initial estimated budget of $277,000 to $1.4 million… more
New player enters Jamaica’s telecoms market
Jamaica – The Barbadian firm Neptune Communications has received the green light to set up shop in Jamaica… more
Tuesday, 31 May 2022
Cable In $169m Refinance Amid Return To Profitability
Bahamas – Cable Bahamas yesterday unveiled plans to refinance $169m in preference share debt, and slash annual interest payments by $500,000, after generating its first quarterly net profit for several years… more
Hinduja Global Solutions records 13.6% revenue growth
Jamaica – Business Process Management company, Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS), recorded a 13.6 per cent growth in revenue for the January to March quarter… more
[UPDATED] Industrial Court puts 400+ TSTT firings on hold
Trinidad and Tobago – Communication Workers Union (CWU) head Clyde Elder says his union has secured an injuction from the Industrial Court to stop TSTT from retrenching workers represented by the CWU for 14 days… more
Wednesday, 1 June 2022
Renewed calls for axing of minister over e-books saga
Antigua and Barbuda – An opposition party has called for the immediate resignation or firing of former Education Minister Michael Browne – now Creative Industries Minister – over the e-books controversy… more
Using SMART Technology to Improve Wildlife Conservation
Belize – The National Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool Conference was held this morning in Belmopan where representatives of the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Wildlife Conservation Society and the National Biodiversity Office met to discuss new technologies to aid enforcement officers in safeguarding Belize’s marine and terrestrial protected areas. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports… more
C&W confirms readiness for hurricane season
Caribbean – C&W Communications, operators of the Flow, Flow Business, C&W Business and BTC brands in the Caribbean, is confirming all systems are in place for the start of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season which begins on June 1… more
High praise for Sagicor data management
Jamaica – Sagicor received high praise for its data management and analytics to achieve high-level business success at an international panel which explored success stories in building data-driven cultures in global businesses… more
Symptai 3-day symposium opens today
Jamaica – Today is the first of a three-day Symptai Symposium, bringing together technology experts, IT executives, business leaders, technology vendors, regulators, technology investors and IT evangelists who have a vested stake in the region’s success… more
Turning ugly into beauty
Jamaica – This week we will take you on a journey on how we launched Jamaica’s first AI and data analytics start-up. StarApple AI is the culmination of my life and experiences… more
TelEm Group announcing Prepaid Data Plans with EVEN MORE DATA.
Sint Maarten – TelEm Group has launched new mobile Prepaid Data plans, available as of June 1st, with even MORE data while keeping package prices the same. Plans are tailored to fit every budget starting as low as $2 for 1GB on their 1-day plans and offering up to 15GB with their longer 30-day plans… more
Gonzales: TSTT acting in best interest of shareholders
Trinidad and Tobago – Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales said he is satisfied that TSTT’s executive management and board of directors was acting in the best interest of shareholders and complying with the collective bargaining agreement in retrenching 28 estate police officers represented by the Estate Police Association… more
Indarsingh: TSTT retrenched over 400 unlawfully
Trinidad and Tobago – MP for Couva South Rudranath Indarsingh has said the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) has acted unlawfully in retrenching 468 workers… more
MSJ condemns TSTT retrenchment as ‘union-busting’
Trinidad and Tobago – THE Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) has condemned the proposed retrenchment of over 400 TSTT workers… more
[UPDATED] CWU: Some workers barred from TSTT despite court order
Trinidad and Tobago – COMMUNICATION Workers Union (CWU) head Clyde Elder said on Wednesday that some workers had told him they had been barred from entry to the premises of TSTT… more
Updated: TSTT serves retrenchment notices on 468 employees (CWU secures 14-day stay)
Trinidad and Tobago – Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (TSTT), today initiated its restructuring exercise with 468 employees receiving retrenchment notices… more
Thursday, 2 June 2022
MoENT TV Launching In July 2022
Saint Kitts and Nevis – A new television (TV) channel from St. Kitts and Nevis will hit the airwaves next month as the government continues its strategy to develop and promote local artists as well as to enhance the film industry… more
Friday, 3 June 2022
B.T.L. Acquires Alternative Networks Ltd.; Look Out for Bundled Services in One
Belize – The country’s largest telecommunications company, B.T.L. has announced its acquisition of Alternative Networks Limited (A.N.L.), which will form part of the B.T.L. Group and propel the company into becoming the country’s first Quad Play Service provider… more
Caribbean countries harness the power of data science
Caribbean – Senior government officials, policymakers and industry leaders in the field of data science are gathering in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda this week for an intensive workshop on how to harness data for impactful innovation, while addressing the significant data gaps that Caribbean countries face… more
SVGTCCU launches ‘Access 365 mobile app’
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – The St Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers Cooperative Credit Union (SVGTCCU) has launched a mobile app which the financial institution said marks another milestone in its digital transformation… more
WiPay proposes partnership with Social Development Ministry for grant distribution
Trinidad and Tobago – WiPay CEO and founder Aldwyn Wayne says the company intends to send a proposal to Social Development and Family Planning Minister Donna Cox next week for the establishment of a public-private partnership to distribute grants… more
Saturday, 4 June 2022
Digital currency coming for Barbados, rest of region
Barbados – Barbados will be one of the first two Caribbean countries in which a common central bank digital currency (CBDC) is to be rolled out… more
Gov’t confident digital currency can stand up against fraudsters
Jamaica – SCAMMERS and other fraudsters will not be able to use the central bank’s digital currency (CBDC) in their illicit activities, the Government has promised… more
Flow opens new store in Chaguanas
Trinidad and Tobago – THE opening of Flow’s new retail store in Chaguanas offers better services to customers and stimulates more business activities. Flow vice-president Simone Martin-Sulgan and Chaguanas East MP Vandana Mohit expressed these views at the opening of the store at Price Plaza, Chaguanas on Wednesday… more
Sunday, 5 June 2022
Know your cyberthreats
Caribbean – The growing use of digital technologies have been contributing to a rise in the number of cyberattacks globally. In light of their increased Internet presence, digital users are urged to become more sensitised about the various forms of threats and how they can impact them… more
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