A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 1 May to Sunday 7 May 2023.
Monday, 1 May 2023
Pay TV subscribers in lowest fall for six years
Bahamas – Pay-TV subscribers suffered their lowest annual decrease for six years in 2022 with all other communications segments reporting a modest increase in consumer numbers, sector regulators have revealed… more
Sand Dollars in circulation now at just over $1 million
Bahamas – Sand Dollars in circulation are currently valued at just over $1 million according to Central Bank Governor John Rolle, who noted that within the mobile wallet space, the spend is roughly $4 million per month… more
URCA makes recommendation on third mobile operator, concludes 5G study
Bahamas – The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) has made a recommendation to the government on the feasibility of a third mobile operator in The Bahamas, but did not reveal that recommendation in its just released 2022 Annual Report and 2023 Annual plan… more
Building a company data protection regime
Caribbean – “Now is the key time to prepare, to set the groundwork in implementing a good data protection and cybersecurity strategy in anticipation for a change in the regulatory environment,” said Julian Hayes, Managing Director of Veneto Privacy Services, based in Dublin, Ireland… more
Gov’t working on increasing funding to USF
Jamaica – Government is currently working on ways of increasing funding to the Universal Service Fund (USF), the agency mandated to further Jamaica’s access to information and communication tools, as the agency continues to see a worrying trend of decline in its source of funding… more
Lecturer calls for mentorship to open girls’ eyes to possibilities in tech
Jamaica – At least one lecturer believes that mentorship is the key to increasing the participation of women and girls in the digital world and the ICT sector… more
Montego Bay to host global digital services summit in June
Jamaica – Global services sector entrepreneurs will come together on June 14-15 in Montego Bay, Jamaica, at the Outsource2LAC Global Digital Services Summit – Jamaica 2023, the leading digital services outsourcing event in Latin America and the Caribbean… more
The role of HSS in an AI age
Jamaica – Recently, during the 2022/2023 Budget Debate, Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke announced in Parliament that over the next five years the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) would benefit from a $2.4-billion investment which will provide 1,000 STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) scholarships to Jamaican students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds… more
Tuesday, 2 May 2023
Artificial Intelligence: Excited or Anxious?
Caribbean – I am fascinated by artificial intelligence (AI), yet a bit nervous as well. In layperson’s language, AI is the use of sophisticated computer systems and large datasets to simulate human intelligence to solve problems… more
GTT partners with Wansat to deliver satellite connectivity across Guyana
Guyana – GTT (Guyana Telephone and Telegraph) is partnering with domestic satellite firm Wansat to deliver satellite connectivity to Guyana’s rural regions… more
Growth & Jobs | ‘Use social media to your advantage’
Jamaica – Local and international professionals in social media are advising Jamaican and Caribbean artistes to make good use of the impetus that social media can provide for their careers… more
Digicel raises rates
Trinidad and Tobago – On the very day Flow customers faced their first day with increased charges from their provider, Digicel announced that in one month, their subscribers would also face increased fees… more
Wednesday, 3 May 2023
BTC continues to support govt’s free Wi-Fi initiative in public parks
Bahamas – Since the official launch of the government’s ParkConnect project last August, BTC has thus far powered 42 parks throughout The Bahamas with Wi-Fi, completing 32 last year and connecting 10 in the first quarter of 2023… more
PM: Bahamas was unfairly criticized over FTX
Bahamas – Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis told the Lord Mayor of London Nicholas Lyons yesterday that The Bahamas was unfairly criticized in the wake of the demise of cryptocurrency exchange FTX… more
URCA abandons review of over-the-top services
Bahamas – The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) has abandoned its review of over-the-top (OTT) services and the impact they have on local markets… more
Op-Ed from ECLAC Caribbean Girls in ICT Day 2023: Digital Skills for Life
Caribbean – Diane Quarless is the Director of the Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) 27 April, people across the world are marking Girls in ICT Day with the theme “Digital skills for life”. This day was created to encourage and empower girls and young women to become users and creators in the digital world… more
Digital futures
Jamaica – Digital wallet firm Lynk made its debut as an exhibitor of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) EXPO Jamaica last weekend to officially launch its LynkBiz merchant platform to the public, partnering with Yello Media Group to offer a web development and eCommerce integration package for MSMEs… more
Free Wi-Fi being planned for resort towns
Jamaica – Chief executive officer of the Universal Service Fund (USF) Daniel Dawes said the entity, which is mandated to further Jamaica’s access to information and communication tools, is currently working on a “big project” to have all resort towns across Jamaica fitted with free Wi-Fi service… more
Ingrid Riley leads launch of Caribbean Seed Fund
Jamaica – Founder of SiliconCaribe Ingrid Riley led the launch of the Caribbean Seed Fund over the weekend at a “by-invitation-only” event: Beyond the Beach… more
Internet Income Jamaica Empowers Women and Girls to Succeed in the Digital Economy
Jamaica – Alicia Lyttle was a featured speaker at the International Girls in ICT Day Virtual Event presented by CARICOM Girls in ICT Partnership & RSC International. The event aimed to inspire and empower women and girls to pursue careers in technology and digital entrepreneurship… more
Key locks digital for growth
Jamaica – Even as it continues to execute a successful turnaround strategy, general insurer Key Insurance Limited is looking to deepen digital services as streamline processes and leverage technology to enhance speed, accuracy and reliability across its operation… more
Thursday, 4 May 2023
BTC celebrates girls in ICT day
Bahamas – Celebrated globally on the fourth Thursday of April, Girls in ICT Day was held on April 27 under the theme “Digital Skills for Life”, and BTC gave its full support to females attending a local event commemorating the day by encouraging high school seniors to consider careers in the STEM field… more
FTX chief blasts Bahamas over ‘closed legal system’
Bahamas – FTX’s US chief yesterday blasted The Bahamas’ “closed legal system” and argued his team will “find it difficult to protect our rights” due to challenges in gaining approval for their chosen UK KC to act before this nation’s courts… more
10 reasons why your business needs a website
Caribbean – Your website is the most critical digital asset for your business to have, and in 2023, it is still one of the most misunderstood and underutilised assets in the Caribbean… more
[Press Release] ECTEL prepares to stage girls in ICT virtual tech talk & training
Caribbean – The Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) is getting ready to host a Virtual Tech Talk and Training dubbed ‘Digital Skills for Life’ on Tuesday, 9th May 2023. This event forms part of the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Girls in ICT observance which is marked annually on the fourth Thursday of April… more
Wi-Fi Access Expands to 17 Communities,10 Parishes Across Jamaica
Jamaica – The Government of Jamaica, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has taken a major step towards enhancing digital connectivity and bridging the digital divide in the country… more
Students get insight on ICT careers
Trinidad and Tobago – Students from two secondary schools received first-hand guidance on careers in information communication technology (ICT) at a session hosted by Flow for Girls In ICT day… more
AI, robotics positives will outweigh negatives
Trinidad and Tobago – While artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics will lead to unemployment in T&T, the positive impact of their introduction into business places will inevitably outweigh the negative effects… more
Cable providers face long struggle
Trinidad and Tobago – On Monday, a significant percentage of this country’s cable, internet, and telephone users began paying more for these services… more
Who has access to those e-mails?
Trinidad and Tobago – THE EDITOR: Once again serious issues facing the security of citizens are being turned into a political boxing match… more
Friday, 5 May 2023
Flow helps give tech-savvy girls a boost
Antigua and Barbuda – Telecoms firm Flow joined forces with the Ministry of Education to celebrate International Girls in ICT Day 2023 under the theme ‘Digital Skills for Life’… more
Bahamian digital payment firm to open London office
Bahamas – A Bahamian digital payments provider has unveiled plans to open a UK office in an announcement that coincided with the Prime Minister’s visit to London for King Charles III’s coronation… more
Founder reveals Kanoo expanding to UK market
Bahamas – One of the founders of Kanoo, Nicholas Rees, revealed on Wednesday night that Kanoo is establishing itself in The UK… more
FTX’s US chief tells Bahamian liquidators: The $143m is mine
Bahamas – FTX’s Bahamas liquidators face a three-way battle to regain control of some $143m seized by the US Justice Department after their US counterpart asserted he “stands first in line” to recover this asset from the federal authorities… more
Could AI replace jobs in the Caribbean?
Caribbean – The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is exciting, to say the least. Revolutionary new technology is quickly advancing, and always improving, leaving the world to wonder just what it could become capable of next… more
Universal Currency, a bipolar world: Will ECCB have to choose?
Caribbean – Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are digital versions of fiat currencies, which are government-issued currencies that are not backed by a commodity such as gold but are accepted as legal tender… more
GTT, WANSAT nearing goal of high-speed internet to hinterland after successful satellite launch
Guyana – Guyana’s hinterland is now a step closer to enjoying the benefits of reliable high-speed broadband internet courtesy of two local communications companies, as a result of the recent launch of a communications satellite… more
NTRC’s Girls In ICT Day Seminar 2023
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – The Day is observed annually during the last week of April. As a part of its public Awareness campaign the, National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) hosted a seminar for International Girls in ICT Day at the Kingstown Girl Guides Hut… more
TTPS and international cyber experts partner over e-mail bomb threat
Trinidad and Tobago – The police service will continue to partner with international cyber experts to identify the source of last week’s e-mail bomb threat… more
Saturday, 6 May 2023
Ticking – lessons from threats by e-mail
Trinidad and Tobago – When I attended secondary school, mobile phones and e-mail were not yet in existence… more
Sunday, 7 May 2023
Competition heats up in mobile telecoms sector
Guyana – The entry into the mobile telecoms sector by a new provider has been stirring excitement among consumers, especially since more competition usually leads to enhanced service from both the new and old providers… more
Digital marketplace for Jam-Dex
Jamaica – Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Senator Aubyn Hill is bullish on seeing a number of players in the productive sector embracing e-commerce in a matter of months and taking their business to the digital marketplace… more
Innovative Systems raises $220m for expansion
Jamaica – Innovative Systems, a retailer of electronic products, has raised $220 million in a bond offer for accredited investors that will fuel its 2024 expansion… more
PwC in the Caribbean data science internships attract interest from over 180 applicants in 22 countries
Jamaica – wC in the Caribbean’s data science internship programme has attracted interest from over 180 applicants in 22 countries, including 131 applicants from the Caribbean region… more
Images credit: Gino Crescoli (Pixabay); Bahamas Weekly; Wikimedia Commons; Wikipedia; Central Banking; Wikipedia
