A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 27 November to Sunday 3 December 2023.
Monday, 27 November 2023
Cable Bahamas Group registers six percent growth, driven by Aliv
Bahamas – Owed largely to its mobile segment, the Cable Bahamas Group of Companies (CBL) registered a six percent increase in revenue during its 2023 financial year, its recently released annual report revealed… more
From Android to iOS
Caribbean – It’s been 14 years since I used an iPhone. Back then, apps were still in their infancy on the platform… more
C&W still to divest 49% shareholding in TSTT
Trinidad and Tobago – MINISTER of Digital Transformation Hassel Bacchus has confirmed that after eight years Cable and Wireless Communications (C&W) has not divested some 49 per cent shareholding in the Telecommunication Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT)… more
Worker attacked by bees on TSTT tower
Trinidad and Tobago – The Communication Workers Union (CWU) General Secretary Joanne Ogeer wants the Telecommunications Services of TT (TSTT) to provide maintenance records for its cell towers after a worker was allegedly left stranded for hours on one due to a bee attack… more
Tuesday, 28 November 2023
BTC GB Teams up with the Red Cross’ Meals on Wheels Initiative
Bahamas – BTC’s team members in Grand Bahama, including Executive Senior Manager Dominic Petty, took time out of their busy schedules on November 21 to partner with the Red Cross to assist the outreach organization with feeding those in need just in time for Thanksgiving… more
IMF: ‘Deeper effort’ on digital asset regulation
Bahamas – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) last night urged The Bahamas to undertake “deeper efforts” to regulate digital assets firms by providing more resources to inspect their operations… more
Using AI to improve productivity
Caribbean – ARTIFICIAL Intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the most transformative technologies of the 21st century and the current fourth industrial revolution… more
OfReg opens probe into Flow’s 911 outage
Cayman Islands – OfReg has opened an investigation into the unscheduled outage of Flow’s fixed-line network last week which impacted 911 emergency calls. While Flow mobile lines to 911 were unaffected by the outage, in a press release the utilities regulator expressed “deep concern” and said an inquiry is now underway… more
Guyana’s Economic Transformation: Addressing The Digital Skills Gap
Guyana – The Guyanese economy continues to grow very rapidly, driven by the booming oil sector and supported by the government’s modernization plans. GDP continues to expand at an unprecedented rate following growth of 62.3 percent in 2022 (the highest in the world) economic growth is expected to be 38 percent in 2023… more
Flow Foundation powers up community connectivity through Mission Week
Jamaica – The Flow Foundation, in a significant stride toward enhancing internet accessibility, has gifted high-speed broadband connections to several community institutions as part of its Mission Week 2023 efforts… more
‘More digital wallet players needed to boost use of digital cash’
Jamaica – One player in the local financial technology (fintech) landscape, thinks more Jamaicans will be open to the use of digital cash if there were more players involved… more
Wednesday, 29 November 2023
Student Innovate Competition postponed
Antigua and Barbuda – The Department of Environment’s project titled “Innovative Technologies for Improved Water Availability to Increase Food Security in Antigua and Barbuda” (AFSIG Project) would like to inform the public that the Student Innovate Competition “Pitch an Innovative Technology or Approach to Improve Food Security in Antigua and Barbuda” scheduled for November 30th, 2023, has been cancelled… more
Cyber Monday beats retailer expectations
Bahamas – Retailers yesterday said Cyber Monday sales exceeded expectations as reduced prices and service deals drove increased consumer demand… more
Ex-Nokia CEO to replace Denis O’Brien as Digicel Group chairman
Caribbean – Digicel has announced the appointment of Rajeev Suri as chairman-designate of the Digicel Group. a digital services provider in 25 markets across the Caribbean and Central America… more
Mastercard backs increased digital solutions
Caribbean – As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionalise global payment systems, industry experts are calling for the accelerated use of technology to transform traditional solutions… more
Top 5 Reasons Caribbean Tech is Kinda Sexy Right Now
Caribbean – Over the last 17 years and across 15 Caribbean Nations, the Caribbean tech ecosystem has gone through the typical ebb and flow that produces pain, reveals potential, and yields small yet significant wins along the way… more
Broadcasters Commence Testing for Digital Switchover
Jamaica – Various broadcasters have commenced testing for digital switchover (DSO), says Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Information, Hon. Robert Morgan… more
EZY Advertising pioneers AI integration with training studio
Jamaica – Introducing artificial intelligence (AI) into your business to capitalize on its potential is as straightforward as participating in a brief training session with a consultant who can guide you in optimizing the technology, asserts Janal McLean, owner of EZY Advertising Management Limited… more
Imbert: Trinidad and Tobago won’t support cryptocurrency
Trinidad and Tobago – Finance Minister Colm Imbert has said the government will not support cryptocurrency, amid questions from the opposition about alternative-currency business models in the Senate on Tuesday… more
Thursday, 30 November 2023
AI affects professional liability
Caribbean – Accountants using generative artificial intelligence (AI) need to embrace risk protection policies… more
Colour unveils super Caribbean payment app
Caribbean – Colour, a super app designed by WiPay, is the company’s first mobile application consumer product. WiPay’s focus in the beginning was simply processing payments via your website and sending out digital invoices to clients anywhere in the world so they could use their bank cards to pay you… more
O’Brien to step down as Digicel chair
Caribbean – Rajeev Suri has been named as chairman designate of Digicel Group. Suri will succeed Denis O’Brien as part of the implementation of the Restructuring Services Agreement (RSA) which is meant to address the company’s debt… more
Infrastructure ministry gathers team to upgrade subsea cables
Cayman Islands – The Infrastructure Ministry has taken a step forward in its plan to upgrade Cayman’s ageing network of subsea communications cables by enlisting a project delivery team… more
NTRC: Call for project proposals
Grenada – The Universal Service Fund was established to facilitate expansion of Telecom Infrastructure and Services to unserved and underserved areas, institutions serving the public needs, special interest groups, and maritime areas… more
Enhanced digitised case management system for DPP office
Guyana – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) here is supporting the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) with the development of an enhanced digitised case management system… more
C&W Business signs on as official tech partner for Tech Beach Retreat Jamaica
Jamaica – Over 300 technology entrepreneurs, investors, innovators, and enthusiasts are expected to converge at the annual event… more
Persons to Access Free Digital Services at Post Offices Next Year
Jamaica – Come next year, the Government will be rolling out digital service providers at post offices islandwide, assuring Jamaicans of inclusion in the ongoing digital transformation… more
tTech revenues climb 20% to J$118 million in Q3
Jamaica – The company reported revenues of J$117.6 million, representing an increase of 20.1 per cent compared to the same period in 2022… more
Educational Landscape In St. Kitts And Nevis To Be Revolutionized With OneLern Program
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The Ministry of Education within the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has partnered with Fortunapix, a leading education technology provider to transform the education landscape by digitizing learning systems across the Federation using the OneLern platform… more
Crafting exceptional Airbnb experiences
Trinidad and Tobago – For two years now, Jamilah Beatrice has been curating more than just a place to stay in TT. Her Airbnb listings in Port of Spain, close to the vibrant Ariapita Avenue, are more than physical spaces. She has transformed her properties just for travellers seeking accommodation and unforgettable experiences… more
PESH Money: Facilitating digital currency solutions
Trinidad and Tobago – Simon Fortune, founder and CEO of Pesh Money Ltd, went to Central Bank one day in 2019 hoping to discuss his “new” idea with Central Bank officials and have a conversation on the possibilities and what would be needed to make his idea a reality… more
Friday, 1 December 2023
Feel the Magic of DCash this Christmas
Caribbean – The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank’s Digital Currency Pilot – DCash, will be sprinkling the joy of the Christmas season across the region with a heart-warming new campaign dubbed “Feel the Magic of DCash”… more
Mastercard touts rise in card payments across LAC
Caribbean – Despite an uptick in digital payment solutions, global technology company Mastercard has said that the use of cards for purchases continue to rise among customers in Latin America and Caribbean (LAC)… more
C’bean recruiter The Hive boosts platform with AI
Jamaica – Caribbean recruiter Ingenuity Technologies says it has improved the performance of its freelancer services marketplace platform, known as The Hive, with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI)… more
Data controllers granted six-month grace period to register under Data Protection Act
Jamaica – Data controllers will have a further six months to comply with the registration requirement under the Data Protection Act… more
EduFocal looks to Africa for revenue growth
Jamaica – E-LEARNING web application EduFocal is setting its sights on Caribbean expansion after successfully entering the African market. The company, through its acquisitions of EduFocal Africa Inc and EduFocal Nigeria Limited, is gearing up to enhance its revenue streams in the coming financial years… more
‘Embrace technology or fail’
Jamaica – ACCORDING TO the World Economic Forum, 65 per cent of current primary school children will end up in careers that do not yet exist, with a high possibility of these being in or linked to technology. This was part of the food for thought shared by HEART/NSTA Trust’s Managing Director Dr Taniesha Ingleton at the Jamaica Technology and Digital Alliance’s BizTech 2023 conference on Wednesday, November 15, at the Summit Hotel… more
Judge suggests Airbnb regulation after College Green case
Jamaica – With more Jamaicans tapping into the multi-billion-dollar Airbnb market, Acting Supreme Court Puisne Judge Maxine Jackson, in disposing of a landmark case involving a College Green, St Andrew property operated as a short-term rental, says Jamaican authorities should look to regulate the industry… more
Local businesses urged to utilise AI to boost productivity
Jamaica – Tech experts say local businesses should utilise artificial intelligence tools to boost productivity… more
Minister proposes ‘One Jamaica’ app to access multiple Gov’t services
Jamaica – WHILE a number of Government entities continue to participate in the ongoing digital transformation, a ‘One Jamaica’ app is being proposed to collate some of these virtual, user-friendly offerings into one space… more
OneLern To Meet The Needs Of Teachers And Students In St. Kitts And Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Integrating new features into the OneLern platform will ensure that the education system in St. Kitts and Nevis is up-to-date and meets the needs of teachers and administrators… more
WiPay to launch Colour in T&T
Trinidad and Tobago – Mobile payment solutions company, WiPay, is planning to launch the digital app Colour which will allow several small business owners to have digital payment options via smart phones and other devices… more
Saturday, 2 December 2023
#BTEditorial – Protection of data crucial with cyber attackers on the loose
Barbados – There is literally nowhere to operate in today’s environment that does not result in some level of exposure to cyberattacks… more
ECTEL Welcomes New Chairperson to Lead its Board of Directors
Caribbean – MR. Philip Dalsou of Saint Lucia is the new Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL). Mr. Dalsou is currently a consultant in the areas of Economic, Financial, Industrial Relations and Human Resources… more
Sagicor Group welcomes new Data Protection Act
Jamaica – Sagicor Group Jamaica is welcoming the new Data Protection Act, which took effect on December 1, expressing its support and commitment to the new law… more
Digital Content Initiative to Benefit Students Island wide
Saint Lucia – THE Department of Education (through the Curriculum and Material Development Unit-Camdu) recently launched its Digital Content Initiative that, not only will benefit students across the island, but more importantly will advance learning through technology… more
Expanding Internet Access to the Poor, Elderly, Physically Challenged in Soufriere
Saint Lucia – THE Universal Service Fund Office of the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission – St. Lucia, has announced a new project aimed at expanding efficient access to the internet for the poor, elderly, and physically challenged in Soufriere… more
Sunday, 3 December 2023
Online etiquette
Caribbean – There is something deeply traumatising about navigating online social spaces in moments of absolute political turmoil and instability… more
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