A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 15 May to Sunday 21 May 2023.
Monday, 15 May 2023
FTX Bahamas charges US broke ‘every single’ pledge
Bahamas – FTX’s Bahamian liquidators have accused their US adversaries of “breaching every single” co-operation pledge in just four short months as they urged the Supreme Court to “sort it out” with Delaware… more
JPLs accuse FTX US of breaching cooperation agreement
Bahamas – The joint provisional liquidators (JPLs) overseeing the winding up of cryptocurrency exchange FTX Digital Markets (DM) accused FTX’s US Debtors of breaching every single commitment made in a cooperation agreement both sides made earlier this year… more
Stock market investment app to launch this week
Bahamas – The much anticipated Prospuh stock market investment app is launching this week and its developers have been inundated with early signups… more
Financial services industry attracts more crypto investors
British Virgin Islands – BVI Finance recently participated in the Dubai Fintech Summit 2023, where the organisation sought to attract more business in virtual assets and fintech industries… more
IMF report urges stronger Central Bank cybersecurity response
Trinidad and Tobago – The IMF’s country report 23/161 for Trinidad and Tobago focused on a visit to the country by its Monetary and Capital Markets Department between October 31 and November 04, 2022… more
Tuesday, 16 May 2023
Cable ‘accelerates’ fibre due to Elon Musk threat
Bahamas – Cable Bahamas is “accelerating” the roll-out of its fibre-to-the-home network infrastructure in response to the competitive “threat” posed by Elon Musk’s Starlink, its chief executive revealed yesterday… more
Central Bank reports growth in electronic transactions
Bahamas – Bahamian residents continued to reduce their reliance on cash in 2022, with new data from The Central Bank of The Bahamas (CBOB) showing growth in electronic transactions… more
Electronic money service provider transactions down 42 percent
Bahamas – Driven mainly by an end in government pandemic-related payment disbursements, payment activity… more
Fraudulent transactions increase by nearly $19 million in value.
Bahamas – In 2022, the number of cases of reported cases of payment fraud relative to cheques, debt and credit cards declined by just over 24 percent however the value of such transactions increased by just under $19 million according to recent data released by the Central Bank… more
Payment fraud up eight-fold at $21m
Bahamas – Payment fraud increased in value almost eight-fold to $21.2m in 2022 with debit cards accounting.. more for four out of every five reported cases, it was revealed yesterday… more
Digital economy can create many opportunities
Caribbean – COVERAGE, especially in rural areas, and affordability are some of the issues that need to be addressed to achieve an efficient digital economy within the region… more
Grenada introduces e-testing for the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment
Grenada – Forty-students from Grenada had the opportunity to complete their Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA) online… more
Connected and Protected Programme expanded to primary schools
Jamaica – The Flow Foundation’s Connected and Protected online safety programme has now expanded to primary schools with its Safer Internet Monitor sessions. The sessions are designed to empower primary school children with practical knowledge while encouraging them to be an online safety ambassador… more
Expert says AI could disrupt BPO sector
Jamaica – One expert says based on the unpredictable trends in artificial intelligence, it is difficult to say how the Global Services Sector (GSS) will be affected… more
Wednesday, 17 May 2023
Breaking barriers with BTC in innovation and installation
Bahamas – more
Need for improved telecommunications and energy reliability highlighted in IDB report
Bahamas – A recent Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report has once again highlighted the need to improve reliability of telecommunications and energy in the country in addition to greater digital adoption, noting that based on the country’s income per capita these areas are key development gaps in need of further investment… more
TRC to create a positive digital environment
British Virgin Islands – Chief Executive Officer at the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) Mr. Guy Lester Malone has reiterated the commission’s commitment to creating a positive digital environment that has zero tolerance for any form of harassment or abuse… more
Top trends in the fintech space
Caribbean – Today, May 17, marks the annually observed World Telecommunications and Information Society Day (WTISD). Now in its 17th year, WTISD has helped to raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICTs) can bring to societies and economies, as well as ways to bridge the digital divide… more
E-market platform launched to improve ICT business processes
Guyana – In the midst of a global shift in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), companies need to generate innovative and more efficient ways of streamlining their processes and connecting to the market… more
Telecoms competition to heat up from July… same phone number, different company
Guyana – Guyanese are from July, 2023 expected to be able to keep their existing phone numbers but change to a phone company of their choice, Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Dela Britton announced on Wednesday… more
Cashless society — underpinned by technology
Jamaica – UNRELIABLE technologies and a lack of confidence in the banking sector have been cited as the reasons Jamaicans are opting out of holding their funds digitally… more
Orda JA aims to replace Hugo in delivery service
Jamaica – A former contractor of Hugo app has launched a new food delivery service to fill the void left by the company’s exit from Jamaica last month. Montego Bay-based entrepreneur Andre Brown launched his Orda JA food delivery service earlier this month with operations initially in Kingston and Montego Bay, but has already set sights on expanding service to other areas of the island… more
Thursday, 18 May 2023
Elon Musk’s Starlink will ‘raise bar’ in Out Islands
Bahamas – Family Island companies yesterday voiced optimism that Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite Internet service will “raise the bar” by giving them access to more reliable and affordable communications that are essential to their competitiveness… more
IDB: mobile, credit card payment adoption still slow
Bahamas – Small firms outpace larger firms when it comes to the use of credit card systems and mobile payment platforms, an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) study explains, adding that substandard infrastructure also may play a part in the slow uptake of progressive payment forms… more
E-market platform launched to improve ICT business processes
Guyana – In the midst of a global shift in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), companies need to generate innovative and more efficient ways of streamlining their processes and connecting to the market… more
Guyana looking to introduce number portability in July
Guyana – The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on Wednesday announced that cell phone customers will from July be able to retain their numbers even after changing their service providers… more
Gov’t launches online portal for businesses to register for permits
Jamaica – The government has launched a centralised platform to allow businesses to register for a number of permits and track approval… more
New 658 Jamaica area code now assigned
Jamaica – THE Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) recently assigned a central office code (a number block which contains 10,000 telephone numbers) under Jamaica’s new area code, “658”… more
UTech transforming to meet future work demands
Jamaica – THE UNIVERSITY of Technology’s (UTech) Faculty of Engineering and Computing Technology says it is implementing the transformation needed to prepare students for the future of work, which will be dominated by advancements in augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI)… more
St Kitts and Nevis: Minister Konris Maynard visits Trinidad to meet ICT ministers and stakeholders
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The Minister of Public Infrastructure et al. of St Kitts and Nevis, Konris Maynard, visited Trinidad and Tobago for an interactive session with ICT Ministers and Digital Transformation stakeholders from May 15 to 16. The Minister met the stakeholders during an event titled ‘Digital Leadership in the Caribbean Executive Sessions’ in Port of Spain… more
NGC’s e-auction tool saves Education Ministry millions
Trinidad and Tobago – USING a reverse e-auction, the National Gas Company of TT Ltd (NGC) helped the Ministry of Education (MoE) save millions on the purchase of 8,000 laptops for schoolchildren… more
Friday, 19 May 2023
Gov’t to purchase VHF radio systems to shorten police response time
Antigua and Barbuda – The Cabinet will be looking to buy Very High Frequency (VFH) radio systems for members of the police force, which was estimated to cost the government US $350,000 (EC $945,892.50)… more
Аffесtеd bу суbеr-аttасkѕ, ВЕL ѕuѕреndѕ ВЕL 24-7 арр, Utіlісаѕh ѕеrvісеѕ uѕеd bу соllесtіоn аgеntѕ; thе utіlіtу соmраnу ехресtеd tо rеѕtоrе Utіlісаѕh bу tоdау Frіdау, ВЕL 24-7 nехt wееk
Belize – Веlіzе Еlесtrісіtу Lіmіtеd (ВЕL) ѕаіd оn Frіdау thаt іt hаѕ bееn thе tаrgеt оf суbеr-аttасkѕ аnd tо рrоtесt іtѕеlf аnd іtѕ сuѕtоmеrѕ, thе соmраnу ѕuѕреndеd thе ВЕL 24-7 арр аnd thе Utіlісаѕh ѕеrvісеѕ uѕеd bу іtѕ Соllесtіоn аgеntѕ. ВЕL ѕаіd іt ехресtеd tо rеѕtоrе Utіlісаѕh ѕеrvісеѕ bу mіd-аftеrnооn tоdау Frіdау аnd wоuld rеѕtоrе іtѕ ВЕL 24-7 арр bу thе mіddlе оf nехt wееk… more
ECTEL launches Graphic Design competition
Caribbean – The Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL), has launched a Graphic Design competition which is open to girls from ECTEL Member States… more
Symposium on “Human Factors vs Technology” Successfully Concludes in Aruba
Caribbean – The week of May 09, 2023, witnessed a gathering of several Justice Ministers from various countries in the Kingdom at the Symposium on “Human Factors vs Technology” held on the island of Aruba. This significant event, aimed at fostering discussions on crucial and strategic matters concerning general security, was coordinated by the steering committee “Information Coordination,” led by Mr. Juni Nicolaas, Chief of National Security in Aruba… more
WiPay Remittance launched in Grenada
Grenada – WiPay, the leading payment solution in the Caribbean, recently announced the introduction of WiPay Remittance during its launch event in Grenada… more
BPO jobs up by 42%
Jamaica – The Business Process Outsourcing Sector has seen a 42 per cent increase in employment since the pandemic… more
Gov’t must embrace AI, says Hill
Jamaica – Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister Senator Aubyn Hill says the government will have to get a grasp of artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications in a bid to craft sound policy… more
WiPay to roll out remittance service in T&T soon
Trinidad and Tobago – WiPay, the leading payment solution in the Caribbean, on Tuesday announced the introduction of WiPay Remittance during an official launch event in Grenada. The company plans to unveil the service in T&T later this year… more
Saturday, 20 May 2023
Consider mutual funds instead of cryptocurrency
Caribbean – GOVERNOR of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Timothy Antoine is urging the people of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) to understand the importance of wealth creation and investment… more
CXC eyes digital exam
Caribbean – The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) says it is aiming to get the region ready for full electronic testing of digitised exams, a move it believes would assist in eliminating the recurring leaks of Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) test papers… more
First Digital Wallet Remittance Service ‘WiPay’ to launch in Grenada soon
Grenada – The leading payment solution in the Caribbean named ‘WiPay’ has recently announced the launch of WiPay Remittance during a launch event in Grenada. This is the first Digital Wallet Remittance Service in the Eastern Caribbean that will revolutionalize money transfers across the region… more
Sunday, 21 May 2023
DIGICEL Guyana Scoops 3 Ookla Speed Test Award for Best Network in Guyana
Guyana – Digicel Guyana has been recognized by Ookla, the global leaders in internet testing and analysis, for offering its customers in Guyana the Fastest Mobile Network, Best Mobile Coverage, and Best Mobile Network… more
BPO jobs grow beyond 60,000
Jamaica – The outsourcing sector grew seven per cent and added ten new customer contact centres in the past year, according to investment promotion agency Jampro… more
Tech, digital push driving remittances to new normal
Jamaica – Over the past five years, the remittance market has seen the “steady adoption of new technologies”, and as more persons opt for the formal system to transfer money to family members, there is optimism that the record inflows reached under the… more
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