A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 18 December to Sunday 24 December 2023.
Monday, 18 December 2023
Sand Dollars in circulation increase to $1.46 million
Bahamas – The volume of the Sand Dollar digital currency in circulation increased to $1.46 million as of November, representing an approximately 40 percent increase over the first 11 months of the year, according to the Central Bank… more
My favorite things: Android apps
Caribbean – There are three kinds of apps you can have on your smartphone. System apps come with the device and with few exceptions, can’t be removed… more
Tuesday, 19 December 2023
FTX Chapter 11 plan needs Bahamas deal
Bahamas – Plans to bring FTX out of bankruptcy protection in the US cannot be finalised without agreement with their Bahamian counterparts as “ongoing good faith negotiations” between the two sides continue… more
Caribbean firms seen as prime targets for cyber criminals
Jamaica – Caribbean firms are seen as prime targets for cyber criminals, according to expert analysis… more
Attorney General: New cyber security laws coming
Trinidad and Tobago – ATTORNEY General Reginald Armour, SC, said new laws to deal with cyber crime will be coming to Parliament soon… more
Wednesday, 20 December 2023
Commission asset turnover as part of FTX’s settlement
Bahamas – FTX Bahamas’ liquidators have agreed to use “commercially reasonable efforts” to ensure some $426m worth of digital assets held by the Securities Commission are transferred to their US counterparts… more
FTX Trading Ltd reaches global settlement agreement with Bahamian liquidators
Bahamas – FTX Trading Ltd has announced that it has successfully reached a settlement with the official liquidators overseeing the bankruptcy proceedings of its Bahamas unit, FTX Digital Markets… more
‘Landmark breakthrough’: FTX Bahamas strikes new Ray deal
Bahamas – FTX’s Bahamian liquidators yesterday hailed the settlement reached with their US counterpart as “a landmark breakthrough” that will avoid “years of protracted litigation” which would cost creditors dearly… more
Fees for EFTs and ITFs to Decrease?
Belize – Then there are fees associated with Instant Funds Transfer and Electronic Funds Transfers. According to the Governor of the Central Bank of Belize, Kareem Michael, domestic banks have given a verbal commitment to reduce the charges on using EFTs and IFTs. And to show the Central Bank’s commitment, Michael said that the bank will no longer charge twenty-five cents for EFTs and IFTs…more
5 social media practices to leave behind in 2023
Caribbean – IN the ever-evolving landscape of social media, staying abreast of emerging trends and practices is not just beneficial – it’s essential. As we wave goodbye to 2023 and welcome 2024, it’s time to reflect on the strategies we’ve clung to and reassess their relevance and effectiveness in the current digital milieu… more
Internet Exchange Point Expected To Improve Internet Service Within The Federation
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Minister of Information, Communication and Technology, the Honourable Konris Maynard said the launch of the Internet Exchange Point (IXP) on September 12 is expected to bolster the local internet service within the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis… more
Gonzales: No plan to privatise TSTT
Trinidad and Tobago – PUBLIC Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales said Government has no intention to privatise state-owned Telecommunications Services of TT (TSTT)… more
Thursday, 21 December 2023
FTX settlement ‘proves naysayers were wrong’
Bahamas – The FTX settlement shows The Bahamas has “beaten expectations” and “proven the doom and gloom naysayers wrong” over the crypto exchange’s collapse, a well-known businessman argued yesterday… more
URCA proposes 20% expansion in budget
Bahamas – The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) is for the second consecutive year proposing a major hike in its operating budget via a near-20 percent increase for 2024… more
National Bank of Belize Discontinues E-Wallet with Immediate Effect
Belize – The National Bank of Belize Limited today made a surprise announcement to its customers. In an email, the bank told its customers that “Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, the National Bank advises that the NBB Pay e-wallet service will be discontinued with immediate effect.” … more
JCF gets 3,000 e-ticketing handsets
Jamaica – The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) e-ticketing system has been bolstered with the handover of 3,000 sets of rugged handsets and printers by the Ministry of National Security… more
Going digital to craft artisanal wood designs
Trinidad and Tobago – In the realm where craftsmanship meets technology, Clive Prevatt, a former engineer turned artisan, weaves a tapestry of creativity and innovation… more
Virtual meetings popular, but event spaces surviving
Trinidad and Tobago – While there has been a shift to businesses utilising webinars and other online methods to host and do business, the management of several conference and event centres in T&T believe that traditional brick-and-mortar meeting places will continue to remain relevant… more
Friday, 22 December 2023
Tech degrees to be offered in TVET system overhaul
Barbados – Minister of Education Kay McConney has unveiled plans for an overhaul of the nation’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system that would include the offering of technical degrees… more
Digicel to slash emissions to nil
Caribbean – Telecommunications provider Digicel Group plans to become carbon-neutral by 2050, which means that it will implement projects geared at slashing its impact on the climate to nil — starting now. The globe experienced the hottest summer on record… more
Applications now open for the 2024 Caribbean Computer Coding Workshops
Dominica – The Caribbean Science Foundation is pleased to invite persons 15 years or older to register for the 2024 Caribbean Computer Coding Workshops (C3W)… more
Amber targets China
Jamaica – THE Amber Group has set its sight on the Chinese market with plans to enter the world’s second-largest economy in early 2024 with its Amber Connect vehicle tracking and fleet management solutions… more
Cybercrime crackdown
Jamaica – Major Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) Cyber Investigations and Risk Management Unit agents spent much of Thursday cracking down on cybercrime activities in Kingston, St Andrew, and St Catherine where they seized a number of devices… more
St Ann communities get free Wi-Fi service
Jamaica – THE John Reid and Thicketts communities in St Ann now have free Wi-Fi service, courtesy of the Universal Service Fund (USF)… more
Saturday, 23 December 2023
Calls, more calls, and no call from GTT
Guyana – I have an 80-year-old Church Brother who is a pensioner with a medically fragile wife. His landline has not been working and for the past 4 months. GTT has failed to respond to calls for help… more
$25k Digicel grants to five influencers
Trinidad and Tobago – Five social media influencers have been awarded $25,000 each by the Digicel Foundation to execute a personal passion project that will ignite positive change in their communities… more
Cashless Carnival option on horizon
Trinidad and Tobago – Tourism Trinidad in collaboration with the TT International Financial Centre (TTIFC) has introduced a cashless payment option for tourism merchants geared at shifting the way business is conducted… more
Sunday, 24 December 2023
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Images credit: Susan Sermoneta (flickr); Wikimedia Commons; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikimedia Commons;
