A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 13 November to Sunday 19 November 2023.
Monday, 13 November 2023
ArawakX ‘good undeniable’ yet KC confident on full winding-up
Bahamas – ArawakX’s president says “nobody can deny the good” it achieved as Securities Commission attorneys hailed the appointment of provisional liquidators as vital to “protecting the capital markets”… more
BTC cell tower sale to help finance 5G
Bahamas – The Government wants “part of the proceeds” from the sale and leaseback of all the Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) 345 cell tower sites to be reinvested in improving services and 5G technology… more
BTC’s towers sold to third party
Bahamas – Liberty Latin America (LLA), the parent company of Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), has struck a deal allowing it to sell its towers to a third party, that would maintain them for a basic rate… more
FTX Bahamas put into full liquidation
Bahamas – The Supreme Court has approved FTX’s Bahamian subsidiary being placed into full judicial-supervised liquidation on the basis that it is just and equitable to do so… more
Unions: BTC owner ‘exporting all value’
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) two trade unions yesterday voiced fears the carrier will become “a shell company” as they accused its majority owners of “exporting” all its value… more
Financial Services Commission clarifies Belize’s position on virtual assets and cryptocurrency
Belize – Вrеаkіng Веlіzе Nеwѕ hаѕ lеаrnеd thаt соntrаrу tо рrеvіоuѕ rероrtѕ, thе Fіnаnсіаl Ѕеrvісеѕ Соmmіѕѕіоn (FЅС) hаѕ nоt іѕѕuеd lеgаl guіdаnсе fоr thе uѕе аnd trаdе оf vіrtuаl аѕѕеtѕ іnсludіng сrурtосurrеnсу… more
Digicel gifting more than ever before this Christmas
British Virgin Islands – It’s the Christmas that keeps on giving at Digicel. The holiday season is a time for giving back and being thankful, so Digicel has taken on an attitude of gratitude and is thanking customers by rewarding them for everything they do with the company from now until into the new year… more
Cyber criminals hit Courts online platform
Caribbean – (Trinidad Guardian) The Unicomer Group yesterday confirmed that there was a cyberattack against Courts, one of its subsidiaries… more
Digital Heritage GY: Reducing “cultural deficit”, enhancing diplomacy through digitization
Guyana – Guyana’s culture, especially its rich diverse music, is being digitised and for the first time placed in an Online portal for use as a teaching-learning, research and soft diplomacy tool, according to ethnomusicologist Rohan Sagar… more
Cyberattacks should not slow digital adoption
Trinidad and Tobago – With the increased cyberattacks in T&T, low consumer confidence in digitalisation could be experienced but there is still a need for ease of access and convenience… more
Hey, ease up on TSTT
Trinidad and Tobago – I CAN’T understand why so many people, especially Opposition politicians and the media, are making such a hullabaloo about TSTT being hacked… more
Taran Rampersad: Are websites increasing cybersecurity vulnerabilities?
Trinidad and Tobago – People continue to ask why there are so many data breaches happening in Trinidad and Tobago. I’m not someone who would call himself a security expert by a stretch, but it’s an intriguing enough question that I decided to look into it… more
TSTT’s dark night of the soul
Trinidad and Tobago – The TSTT data breach that went public on October 27 might have been the noisiest consequence of a cyberattack that Trinidad and Tobago has experienced so far, but it wasn’t the first… more
Tuesday, 14 November 2023
BTC urged: Prioritise network over 5G with tower sale funds
Bahamas – The proceeds from the sale and leaseback of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) cell towers would be better invested in other parts of its network than 5G, a union leader argued yesterday… more
Sam Bankman-Fried’s Bahamas non-profit in ‘sham’ denial
Bahamas – Allegations that a Bahamian non-profit established by jailed FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was a “sham” were yesterday denied by the expatriate executive who oversaw its operations… more
WiPay unveils mobile app to transform banking for Afro-Colombian communities
Caribbean – Members of the Afro-Colombian community who are underserved by traditional banking institutions are set to receive greater access to banking services with WiPay’s introduction of a mobile app, COLOUR, to address the unique needs of the Afro-Colombian population… more
#BTColumn – Navigating the Cyber Storm: TSTT’s Data Breach and Cybersecurity in the Caribbean
Trinidad and Tobago – To say that the last three weeks have been nothing short of tumultuous for the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) would be an understatement… more
In Trinidad: Cyber criminals hit Courts online platform
Trinidad and Tobago – (Trinidad Guardian) The Unicomer Group yesterday confirmed that there was a cyberattack against Courts, one of its subsidiaries… more
Kent Western appointed TSTT CEO (ag), Lisa Agard “departs”
Trinidad and Tobago – The Board of Directors of Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (TSTT) announces the appointment of Mr Kent Western to the post of Chief Executive Officer (Ag) following the departure of Ms Lisa Agard. Mr Western’s appointment will take effect immediately… more
PriceSmart issues statement on data breach
Trinidad and Tobago – At PriceSmart, we strive to represent the best interest of our Members in everything we do. Therefore, we want to share with you an important update about a recent cybersecurity event that impacted some of our internal systems… more
TSTT appoints new acting CEO
Trinidad and Tobago – The Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd (TSTT) has announced the appointment of Kent Western as its acting CEO with immediate effect after the departure of Lisa Agard… more
Wednesday, 15 November 2023
ArawakX directors stay in control of BOB battle
Bahamas – The Chief Justice has allowed ArawakX’s principals “to maintain conduct and control” of the legal battle with Bank of The Bahamas over the latter’s six-month freezing of all their accounts… more
BTC ‘cash cow not giving whole milk’
Bahamas – A union president will today submit “a list of concerns” to the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) over its cell tower sale after yesterday’s call with its top executive “left more questions than answers”… more
Thirty-two ICT Hub Managers graduate in Region Nine
Guyana – The first batch of 32 participants from Region Nine has graduated from a two-week Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Hub Managers’ course… more
Increased digital adoption driving service delivery at VM Wealth Management
Jamaica – VM Wealth Management Limited continues to strengthen its commitment to service excellence through increased digital adoption. The entity’s online client portal, which has been steadily growing in users, affords clients convenient access to their portfolio information and critical market updates to empower them to make informed investment decisions… more
Flow parent company buys Dish Network’s assets in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico – Liberty Latin America, parent company to FLOW Jamaica, has bought a portion of Dish Network’s assets in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands… more
IDB concerned by slow digitalization
Trinidad and Tobago – The Inter-American Development Bank is concerned about the slow implementation of digitalisation in Latin American and the Caribbean… more
Lisa Agard replaced as Trinidad telecoms CEO
Trinidad and Tobago – (Trinidad Guardian) Lisa Agard has been replaced as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TSTT with immediate effect… more
TTPost hacked, minister urges vigilance
Trinidad and Tobago – Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales revealed on Tuesday the Trinidad and Tobago Postal Corporation (TTPost) was the victim of a cyberattack months ago… more
Weeks after major cyberattack – TSTT CEO Lisa Agard replaced
Trinidad and Tobago – DAYS AFTER apologising to customers whose data was stolen in a major cyberattack, Telecommunications Services (TSTT) CEO Lisa Agard has been replaced… more
Thursday, 16 November 2023
Mobile service providers express concerns about Starlink
Bahamas – Mobile service providers want the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) to clarify regulations on certain local internet providers bringing mobile-like products into their offering, though the decision was made to not have a third mobile license provided in the country at this time… more
‘Stop Starlink from offering cellular services in Nassau’
Bahamas – A SENIOR communications executive has called for Starlink to be prevented from providing cellular services in New Providence, calling the satellite-based service as effectively “the third mobile operator”… more
Right platform for Caribbean business websites
Caribbean – Selecting a website platform is critical for Caribbean businesses, as a misstep can lead to significant financial and time loss… more
Flow launches Christmas on Us Promotion
Grenada – Leading communications and entertainment provider Flow is offering new and existing customers the chance to win a share of $150,000 in cash and prizes as part of its “Christmas Is on Us” campaign… more
Ansa CEO calls for legislation against paying hackers
Trinidad and Tobago – ANSA McAl CEO Anthony N Sabga III called for legislation to be passed that would make it illegal for a company to pay hackers who hold data at ransom through ransomware attacks… more
Digicel: ‘No cyber attack, but we stay vigilant’
Trinidad and Tobago – After last month’s cyber attack on TSTT by the group RansomEXX, Digicel on Wednesday told Newsday it had not been attacked, but remained vigilant… more
Gonzales meets with new TSTT CEO
Trinidad and Tobago – One day after TSTT’s new acting CEO Kent Western appointment, he met with Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales and Digital Transformation Minister Hassel Bacchus… more
Managing cyber risks
Trinidad and Tobago – THE LIST is long: the judiciary, the office of the Attorney General, the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT), the TT Postal Corporation, the Southwest Regional Health Authority, Courts and PriceSmart. These are just some of the entities that have fallen prey to cyber attacks or claims of attacks this year… more
Moonilal calls for cyber security centre
Trinidad and Tobago – TRINIDAD and Tobago has become a dangerous place where the murder toll has crossed 500 for the year and personal data is being stolen and being held for ransom while the government does nothing to protect citizens… more
Opposition calls for TSTT board to be fired
Trinidad and Tobago – THE Opposition UNC is calling for the firing of the Sean Roach board and management after the departure of TSTT CEO Lisa Agard over last month’s cyber attack at the telecommunications company… more
Outlaw cyber ransoms
Trinidad and Tobago – ANSA McAL Group CEO, Anthony Sabga III said yesterday that countries in the region, including T&T, should consider making their companies and governments “hard targets” for hackers, by passing legislation outlawing the payment of ransoms for cyberbreaches… more
Probe that TSTT data breach, Gonzales
Trinidad and Tobago – THE EDITOR: Telecommunications Services of TT (TSTT) CEO Lisa Agard apologised on Friday to the hundreds of thousands of customers who were affected by the breach of TSTT data… more
TSTT chief financial officer denies responsibility for cyberattack
Trinidad and Tobago – TSTT’s chief financial officer Shiva Ramnarine says he is not to blame for the recent security breaches of the company’s systems… more
WiPay’s Colour app coming to T&T
Trinidad and Tobago – Caribbean mobile payment solutions and fintech company, WiPay, which was founded by Point Fortin’s Aldwyn Wayne, launched its Colour mobile app in Medillin, Colombia last Thursday, to coincide with the company’s sixth WiDay… more
Friday, 17 November 2023
75 percent drop in Sand Dollar top-ups
Bahamas – During the first eight months of the year, Sand Dollar top-ups decreased more than 75 percent, according to a recent update from The Central Bank of The Bahamas (CBOB)… more
What the blockchain tells us about the big business of ransomware
Caribbean – What do the following entities have in common; ANSA McAL, Massy Group, Beacon Insurance, Attorney General’s Office Trinidad and Tobago and Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT)? Since 2020, they’ve all fallen victim to cyber incident which resulted in impact to their service delivery. At least three of these entities have confirmed their incident was ransomware related… more
19Labs eyes telehealth expansion in Jamaica
Jamaica – Telehealth provider 19Labs, which has experienced success in partnering with the Government of Guyana in delivering medical services in some of the most remote sections of that country, is now exploring opportunities for expanding its service offerings in Jamaica… more
CARDTP SVG to hold consultation on Bequia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Residents of Bequia will get another opportunity, following on the heels of a Zoom consultation in late September 2023, to interact with members of the SVG Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP) implementation unit, at an in-person consultation on the island next week… more
Imbert: We must press on with digital agenda
Trinidad and Tobago – TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO must advance with its cashless and digital agenda, or we will be left behind, Finance Minister Colm Imbert has said… more
TSTT breach erodes public trust
Trinidad and Tobago – THE EDITOR: The recent security breach at TSTT has left citizens rightfully outraged and concerned about the safety of their personal information… more
Saturday, 18 November 2023
Flow opens its doors to Welches Primary students
Barbados – The young students of Welches Primary were recently provided with a first-hand glimpse of how Flow delivers telecommunication services in Barbados… more
Thousands of online training opportunities for Cayman’s workforce
Cayman Islands – Can’t find the time to attend a class in person to upskill yourself or gain a qualification? The answer’s online, according to Inspire Cayman Training centre’s owner Michael Myles, who plans to make up to 8,000 new online courses accessible to unemployed Caymanians or those looking for new challenges… more
Cyber security’s place on government agenda
Trinidad and Tobago – In the 2024-2024 budget, Finance Minister Colm Imbert included a tax rebate for businesses spending up to $500,000 on cyber security measures… more
Imbert calls for better cyber security measures: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO MUST GO CASHLESS
Trinidad and Tobago – Despite problems caused by cyber attacks, Finance Minister Colm Imbert has said TT must continue its drive toward a cashless society… more
Sunday, 19 November 2023
Flow parent sells tower to cut costs
Jamaica – Liberty Latin America says its Flow operations in Jamaica and other territories have reached an agreement to sell a large block of cell towers to American company Phoenix Tower International in a deal worth US$355 million… more
Leverage ChatGPT for data dominance
Jamaica – SMALL and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are being encouraged to harness the power of AI, specifically ChatGPT, for data analytics and business improvement… more
Digicel denies any cyberattack on its T&T operations
Trinidad and Tobago – Jamaica-based regional telecoms giant, Digicel, is denying that its Trinidad and Tobago operations were hit by a cyber-attack… more
T&T explores opportunities in Colombia’s IT and BPO sectors
Trinidad and Tobago – INFORMATION Technology (IT) and the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sectors are topping the list of opportunities for local businesses in Colombia… more
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