A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 26 June to Sunday 2 July 2023.

 

Monday, 26 June 2023

BTC launches ‘same speed’ fibre packages

Bahamas – he Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) has unveiled fibre packages that all provide the same Internet upload and download speeds as it seeks to deliver faster and more reliable connections… more

Digicel Business and National Bank of Dominica to host cyber-security webinar – ‘Cyber Defense Best Practices’

Dominica – Digicel Business, in collaboration with National Bank of Dominica will host a Cyber Security Webinar on Wednesday 28, June 2023 at 10am AST. The webinar will focus on cyber defense best practices, reinforcing the need to build resilience and protection in business. This highly anticipated webinar will will feature top experts in the field of cyber security… more

EduFocal Limited registers American and Nigerian subsidiaries

Jamaica – EduFocal Limited, regarded as Jamaica’s leading online learning platform, is establishing subsidiaries in the United States (US) and on the African continent in Nigeria… more

Maho gives 80 computers to staffers in continued education computer prog.

Sint Maarten – The Maho Group has launched a new computer donation programme to support continued education for staff families… more

bmobile supports CARIRI coding camp

Trinidad and Tobago – More than three thousand students will spend their July/August vacation learning data analytics, coding, innovation and other topics that will help prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow. CARIRI’s Innovation Nation Training Programme will create a groundbreaking and immersive educational opportunity that will expand on the students’ education and equip them with skills necessary for key industries of the future… more

D’Hub is here – why we should care

Trinidad and Tobago – ON TUESDAY last, the Ministry of Digital Transformation launched its first major project, the creation of a developer’s hub, rather unfortunately named D’Hub… more

Huawei opens 2023 Seeds for the Future programme

Trinidad and Tobago – Leading global ICT provider Huawei is once again seeking top University students from Trinidad and Tobago to participate in Huawei’s global “Seeds for The Future” (SFTF) Programme––the company’s highly successful technology training initiative which exposes tertiary students in the disciplines of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), to global knowledge and expertise in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)… more

 

Tuesday, 27 June 2023

CORRUPTION IN HIGH PLACES?: Bahamian government official allegedly offered $1 million “bonus” to fast track FTX business license

Bahamas – FTX US chief John Ray III has claimed in recently filed court documents that a former Bahamian government official, acting as an attorney, was offered a $1 million “bonus” to procure a business license for FTX Digital Markets within ten weeks, and the company was able to obtain the license six weeks later… more

FTX says ex-official got $1m bonus for permits

Bahamas – An attorney and “former Bahamian government official” was allegedly offered a $1m “bonus” to swiftly obtain the necessary licences so that FTX could move to this nation, it was asserted yesterday… more

Starlink in Barbados

Barbados – In recent years, the demand for faster and more reliable internet connectivity has grown exponentially, especially in developing countries like Barbados… more

DDM introduces new emergency app with enhanced features

British Virgin Islands – The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) has announced the launch of a new mobile app which it explained is designed to assist residents in preparing for and surviving emergency situations in the territory… more

JSC Ingenium joins CANTO and strengthens its presence in Central America and the Caribbean

Caribbean – Joining this organisation will allow the company to strengthen its relationship with other key players for the development of telecommunications in the region… more

ECJ embarks on digital transformation

Jamaica – THE Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) is undertaking major upgrades to its technology infrastructure as part of its thrust toward digital transformation… more

Flow Foundation provides connectivity for USF essay winners

Jamaica – The Flow Foundation has partnered with the Universal Service Fund (USF) to recognise the 10 winners of the USF’s Essay Competition for high school students… more

Mallskape e-commerce platform makes doing business in the Caribbean easier 

Jamaica – With several businesses in Jamaica and across the Caribbean already making use of its service, Mallskape e-commerce platform has set about to make doing business in the Caribbean easier… more

 

Wednesday, 28 June 2023

FTX’s Bahamas attorney quiet on $1m ‘bonus’ claim

Bahamas – FTX’s Bahamas attorney yesterday declined to comment on allegations that a “former Bahamian government official” was offered a $1m “bonus” if they could expedite obtaining the necessary licences to operate from this nation… more

DigiWallet issues important notice to Atlantic Bank customers

Belize –  DіgіWаllеt іѕѕuеd аn іmроrtаnt сuѕtоmеr nоtісе fоr Аtlаntіс Ваnk сuѕtоmеrѕ uѕіng thе nеw rе-іmаgіnеd аnd rе-dеѕіgnеd Аtlаntіс Оnlіnе, lаunсhеd оn Јunе 26, 2023… more

CARICOM Digital Skills TaskForce holds Webinar on ‘Leveraging Digital Skills for Caribbean Prosper

Caribbean – The third and final in the CARICOM Digital Skills Taskforce Webinar Series will be held on Thursday, 29 June 2023 from noon to 1:30 pm (Atlantic Standard Time). The Inclusion Webinar will focus on the theme ‘Leveraging Digital Skills for Caribbean Prosperity’… more

Creating a sensation: 5 tips for crafting viral content

Caribbean – Whether you’re a brand, an influencer, or just an everyday social media user, there’s something undeniably exhilarating about creating content that ‘breaks’ the Internet… more

Medical data protection bill to be tabled in parliament soon

Guyana – A bill that will ensure the protection of medical data for persons in Guyana will be laid in Parliament within the coming weeks. Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, disclosed the information at the launch of the Family Health Manual at the Ministry of Health, Brickdam, on Tuesday… more

Flow unveils new customer experience initiatives inspired by customers

Jamaica – Communications and entertainment provider Flow is introducing fresh customer upgrades that will deliver an improved internet and home entertainment experience… more

ibex appoints Tamara Ricketts-Brown Jamaica country manager

Jamaica – Global business process outsourcing (BPO) and customer engagement technology solutions provider, ibex, today (June 28) announced the appointment of Tamara Ricketts-Brown as senior vice president and country manager of its Jamaican operations… more

Jamaica’s Cybersecurity Infrastructure Strengthened Through Stakeholder Initiatives

Jamaica – Jamaica’s cybersecurity infrastructure has been strengthened through various initiatives collaboratively undertaken by regional and international partners… more

Next-Level Banking

Jamaica – Faculty and student researchers from the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech), last week, successfully showcased how money can be transferred from a virtual banking environment using their prototype digital wallet SwifPay… more

 

Thursday, 29 June 2023

Conference coming to capture crypto investors

British Virgin Islands – In an effort to expand the BVI’s crypto currency and financial technology services, Minister of Financial Services Lorna Smith has announced a new conference that will attract a number of stakeholders in the fintech sector… more

Denis O’Brien signs US$1.7 billion debt write-off deal 

Caribbean – Digicel founder, Denis O’Brien and bond investors have signed a deal that will see him lose most of his stake in the telecoms group in exchange for a US$1.7 billion (€1.55 billion) debt write-off… more

The role of a social media specialist

Caribbean – The role of a social media specialist is often one of the most misunderstood roles in the Caribbean… more

WiPay’s Aldwyn Wayne launches events company

Caribbean – WiPay founder, Point Fortin-born Aldwyn Wayne, officially launched LIVE Events Inc, an entertainment company specialising in concert funding, ticketing, payments, and management, during the BET Awards red carpet event held in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday night… more

Experts explore evolution of technology at Cayman conference

Cayman Islands – Industry experts gathered to share their knowledge during a day-long conference on the evolution of technology in Grand Cayman on Wednesday, 28 June. International guests joined local specialists to present lectures and speak on panels during the sixth Cayman Islands Digital Economy Conference (CYDEC) held at The Westin resort… more

E-Ticketing System Improving Efficiency

Jamaica – The digitised Traffic Ticket Management System (TTMS) has resulted in greater efficiencies, reducing the number of issues associated with writing tickets by 90 per cent, the Ministry of National Security reports… more

 

Friday, 30 June 2023

Bahamas-based tech firm leaps into top 10 of coveted global list

Bahamas – Cloud Carib was named #6 worldwide as one of the industry’s premier Managed Service Providers (MSP) on the prestigious list Channel Futures’ 2023 MSP 501 rankings, demonstrating remarkable growth and industry leadership… more

Educator warns against children on social media

Barbados – Children should be prohibited from having social media accounts… more

Computer literacy training launched for visually-impaired persons

Guyana – Persons who are visually-impaired will benefit from a computer literacy programme, through the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in collaboration with the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities… more

Far-reaching effects of secure digitisation of healthcare

Jamaica – DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY has opened new paths within the healthcare ecosystem. Secure digitisation of healthcare delivery and services can improve operational excellence, patient experience and reduce costs… more

Jamaica invests in biometrics to fight election fraud

Jamaica – The Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) has upgraded its biometric identification system… more

UWI, TATT sign landmark agreement to accelerate development of radio-frequency-enabled devices

Trinidad and Tobago – The University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Telecommunications Authority of TT (TATT) announced the signing of an agreement to establish a conformance and interoperability regulatory sandbox… more

 

Saturday, 1 July 2023

Cooperative movement to have digital payment platforms

Barbados – In a bid to help advance their business, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Business is working to introduce the use of digital payment platforms to the cooperative movement over the course of the year… more

Use AI to drive water solutions

Barbados – As the world battles the issues of climate change, there is scope for Barbados to improve its water conservation and energy consumption in the next 10 years with artificial intelligence (AI)… more

Digital distrust in local e-commerce systems

Trinidad and Tobago – On day one of the Tech Hub Island Summit Digital Transformation at the Hyatt Regency on Thursday, Minister of Digital Transformation, Hassel Bacchus, admitted his ministry had a bit of a conundrum… more

 

Sunday, 2 July 2023

Digicel bondholders to take 62% stake

Caribbean – Telecoms giant Digicel has agreed to yield a 62 per cent stake to bondholders in debt-to-equity exchange that comes in the wake of the company’s restructuring… more

ODPP to appeal Caricel spectrum case ruling

Jamaica – The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is set to challenge the dismissal of the case against four executives of Symbiote Investments Limited, which operates as telecommunications brand Caricel… more

 

 

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