Roundup: for the week ending 12 March 2023

A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 6 March to Sunday 12 March 2023.

Monday, 6 March 2023

BTC chief in promise on service ‘black hole’

Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) top executive last night pledged to deliver “a best-in-class experience” for all users after complaints that clients were left “in the lurch” by poor customer service… more

Will ChatGPT fuel a Bing boom?

Caribbean – MOST PEOPLE who use an online search engine don’t use it particularly well. Despite the growing capabilities of modern search engines to parse clumsily worded terms and even to offer corrections for egregious misspellings, very few internet users use simple techniques to enhance their searches… more

800 Sophia residents connected to GTT Fibre service

Guyana – More than 800 residents in Sophia now have access to GTT’s high speed Fibre service as the company officially announced that it has connected 50% of homes in the country with the service… more

Saint Lucia to host ICT Week in September

Saint Lucia – Saint Lucia will be host to the next regional gathering of technology experts as part of a move to accelerate digital transformation in the Eastern Caribbean… more

Tuesday, 7 March 2023

DLP leader has no confidence in security of digital IDs

Barbados – The impact of recent cyber attacks on several government agencies, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), suggests that government infrastructure does not have the capacity to fully secure information linked to a digital identification card… more

C&W Communications joins the global community in celebrating International Women’s Day

Caribbean – C&W Communications is pleased to join the global community in celebrating International Women’s Day. This year’s theme of ‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality’ is a doubly special occasion for us, as it speaks directly to the company’s mission of connecting communities and changing lives… more

ECTEL prepares for 94th Board of Directors Meeting in Saint Lucia

Caribbean – The Board of Directors of the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) will be meeting for the 94th Board of Directors Meeting in person at the Dolphin Conference Centre at the Bay Gardens Beach Resort, Saint Lucia, and virtually, via Microsoft Teams platform, on Thursday, 9th March 2023 from 9 am… more

DIGICEL Rolls Out ESIM

Caribbean – In another major stride towards delivering powerful digital experiences to its customers, Digicel will support eSIM-enabled devices, beginning March 6th, 2023… more

Protecting Caribbean women in digital spaces

Caribbean – THE RIGHTS of women in the Caribbean need to be protected, in physical and virtual spaces. The prevalence of cyberviolence, its root causes and impacts is gender-based, with a disproportionate impact on women… more

We call for urgent action to be taken to eliminate technology facilitated gender-based violence

Guyana – Dear Editor, The advancement of digital technology is growing exponentially. With increased access to the internet, social media platforms, and online learning, many more opportunities are being created for women and girls… more

NCB Pay app rolled out

Jamaica – NCB last week had a limited roll out of its NCB digital payment app, with it now available to only its Visa credit card customers… more

Youths get expert advice on staying safe online

Jamaica – Teens and their smart devices, it’s rare to see one without the other. For many youths, their entire world revolves around their phone – it’s how they communicate, discover what’s new in the world, and entertain themselves. However, many remain naive to the dangers that lurk in an unsuspecting message or their new online friend… more

St Lucia to host ICT Week in September

Saint Lucia – St Lucia is the latest Caribbean country to embrace a regional initiative to accelerate national development priorities… more

Flow, pennacool.com continue to support SEA pupils

Trinidad and Tobago – The annual Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) is soon approaching on March 29, and pupils are encouraged to access pennacool.com, which is free, for revision and practise exercises in preparation for the exam… more

Wednesday, 8 March 2023

Cyber forensic investigator testifies on day two of CoP vs Washington Bramble trial

Antigua and Barbuda – Witness testimony from a cyber forensic investigator was the highlight of yesterday’s second day of the Commissioner of Police versus Washington Bramble trial in the St John’s Magistrates Court… more

“DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality” A call to action for International Women’s Day

Antigua and Barbuda – The theme for International Women’s Day, 8 March 2023 (IWD 2023) is, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”… more

Bahamian liquidators fire FTX warning shot

Bahamas – FTX’s Bahamian liquidators yesterday warned their US counterparts that the failed crypto exchange’s $446m claim against another digital assets firm will not be resolved unless their interests are satisfied too… more

Crypto consumers comfortable despite volatility, research finds

Bahamas – Despite the controversy and domino effect within the cryptocurrency industry caused by the collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX – once one of the world’s largest exchanges – consumer confidence in the volatile currency remains high… more

Office Of Gender Affairs Celebrates Women In Technology

British Virgin Islands – The Office of Gender Affairs is recognising women for their longstanding contribution to the Virgin Islands in the field of Information Communications Technology (ICT) in observance of International Women’s Day… more

CARICOM Secretary-General urges region not to lose sight of issues affecting women in the Caribbean

Caribbean – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett, on Wednesday said the Caribbean must not lose sight of the many issues that stand in the way of achieving women’s equality, such as women’s political participation, unpaid care, and domestic work, the impact of climate change, and gender-based violence which is a public health crisis in the region… more

CTU, UPU sign Agreement to digitize Caribbean postal systems

Caribbean – The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) and the United Nations Universal Postal Union (UPU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate and promote digital transformation in postal services in the Caribbean region… more

ECLAC wants more women to access digital technology

Caribbean – The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Wednesday issued a call to guarantee women’s access to digital technology, increase the number of women majoring in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and eradicate gender cyber violence… more

ECTEL Vacancy Notice

Caribbean – Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced persons for appointment to the post of System Administrator with the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) at its regional Headquarters’ office located in St Lucia… more

Region fighting back against cyber criminals

Caribbean – With a huge global business surrounding the cybercriminal underground, the Caribbean region is developing systems to reduce cybersecurity threats to its public and private sector agencies… more

‘Guyanese women integral part of emerging tech sector’ – President in IWD message

Guyana – The Co-operative Republic of Guyana is pleased to join with the international community in observing International Women’s Day 2023, under the theme, ‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality’… more

Erica Anderson: Never stop learning

Jamaica – Erica Anderson is chief operating officer at fintech firm Lynk. With 25 years of experience in her field, she has been driven by her desire to make the world a better place and make a difference in the lives of others… more

Jamaican Rock Mobile close to completing 700MHz network deployment

Jamaica – Jamaican operator Rock Mobile is close to completing the deployment of its 700MHz network… more

Fontana going big on technology

Jamaica – Fontana Limited is looking to reap the benefits of recent technology investments and partnerships to further optimise its growing $5-billion business in 2023… more

Gender Affairs Minister gives International Women’s Day address

Saint Lucia – Gender Affairs Minister Hon Virginia Albert-Poyotte gave an address to mark International Women’s Day… more

Thursday, 9 March 2023

Avasant in digital outreach to youths, women

Caribbean – Executive director and principal of the Avasant Foundation (AF) Chitra Rajeshwari is in TT to advance the NGOs efforts to provide education, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities in the digital economy for youth and women. The US-based foundation is the social development arm of global management strategy firm Avasant… more

Experts Call for Stronger Digital Infrastructure to Boost Caribbean Business Growth

Caribbean – More and more, Caribbean businesses are using digital technologies to cut costs, boost efficiency and reach new customers. But even as enterprises edge closer to the promise of greater competitiveness, some of the region’s leading technology experts are issuing a timely warning… more

Digicel launches 16 iPhone 14 Pro Max 16 DAYS Promotion

Guyana – Digicel Guyana said yesterday that their 16th anniversary celebrations will continue as it launches another grand promotion dubbed “16 iPhones in 16 days”. Sixteen customers will be walking away with an Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max at the end of the 16 days period… more

Gov’t Provides Incentives to Boost JAM-DEX Use

Jamaica – In the upcoming fiscal year, the Government will introduce two new incentive programmes to encourage greater take-up of the Central Bank Digital Currency, JAM-DEX… more

Jam-Dex uptake gradually increasing – Clarke

Jamaica – Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke says the country is gradually seeing increased take-up of the central bank digital currency, Jam-Dex… more

bmobile supports POSFW’s launch of the Fashionverse

Trinidad and Tobago – The local fashion industry is cashing in on the Metaverse and NFT markets, and revolutionising how Caribbean designers sell their designs and access new markets. On Tuesday, 28 February 2023, Port of Spain Fashion Week (POSFW) launched the Fashionverse, an all-digital fashion experience utilising virtual real estate that ensures local fashion adapts to an increasing global shift towards digitalisation… more

Friday, 10 March 2023

Caribbean Infrastructure Investment Must Keep Pace with Global Digital Trends

Caribbean – Caribbean islands are known for white-sand getaways, but one of the region’s best-kept secrets remains buried under its picturesque beaches… more

Grenadian Prime Minister calls for Caribbean businesses to invest in AI

Caribbean – Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell is calling for Caribbean business leaders and entrepreneurs to invest in artificial intelligence technologies, or AI… more

Civil servant graduates ’empowered’ by Digital Transformation course

Dominica – Fifty-two (52) public officers have gained valuable insights and skills that will help them in their professional and personal lives after successfully completing a digital transformation training course which was held from February 6, to March 9, 2023… more

Girl Power on display at DigitALL Arena Exposition

Grenada – The Grenada Trade Centre Annex was transformed on International Women’s Day Wednesday, 8 March 2023, with a slate of innovative and interactive experiences and learning opportunities surrounding digital technologies… more

EduFocal reorganises business structure to meet expansion strategy

Jamaica – Education technology firm EduFocal says it has re-organised its business structure to meet its planned expansion strategy… more

Flow fighting OUR over plans to open network to rivals

Jamaica – Cable & Wireless Jamaica, which trades as Flow, is rejecting regulatory recommendations to open up its backend infrastructure to competitors, on procedural grounds. It comes as tech regulators are trying encourage more internet competition and enhance network speeds… more

Lynk launches remittance service with MoneyGram

Jamaica – Local digital wallet, Lynk, has officially launched its remittance service in partnership with MoneyGram International… more

Lynk partners with MoneyGram to deliver remittance service

Jamaica – Fintech arm of the NCB Financial Group and wallet provider, The Future of business (TFOB) which trades as Lynk, partnering with MoneyGram, will today roll out its new and much-awaited remittance feature to market… more

Saturday, 11 March 2023

– Nil –

Sunday, 12 March 2023