A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 4 March to Sunday 10 March 2024.
Monday, 4 March 2024
DEREK SMITH: The intersection of infosec and compliance
Caribbean – The saying “Trust is good, but control is better” is ever more pertinent as the digital frontier expands at an unprecedented rate, especially for financial institutions in developing countries. Yet, in the pursuit of compliance, we often overlook a critical point: compliance is more than just a regulatory requirement; it is a strategic asset that fosters innovation, trust, and growth… more
Ransomware report reveals Caricom-wide attacks
Caribbean – The Ransomware Roundhouse, a report on the state of ransomware in 2023 was launched last week with a webinar discussing the findings and their implications… more
Tech mogul Mark Itwaru returns to head ‘One Guyana Digital
Guyana – IN response to Guyana’s burgeoning tech scene and President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s vision for national development, Mark Itwaru, a Canada-based Guyanese tech entrepreneur, has returned to his homeland to lead the transformative ‘One Guyana Digital’ (1GD) initiative… more
Amber backs 100 startups in 1000 days
Jamaica – So you want to start your own business but worry about support. Who can hold your hand and guide you through the process? Amber can! … more
’Digicel helps pan sides open technology centres
Trinidad and Tobago – Digicel Foundation’s Technology in Education Programme in partnership with Pan Trinbago helped three steel orchestras open technology centres… more
Ministry hosts talks on technology for gender equity
Trinidad and Tobago – Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) Ayanna Webster-Roy urged 29 teenage boys on February 28: “Become agents and voices of change in your communities in the fight against all forms of gender-based violence.”… more
TSTT cyberattack report this month
Trinidad and Tobago – Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales on Saturday said the findings of a probe into the October cyberattack on Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT), which he expects to be completed this month, will be laid in Parliament… more
Tuesday, 5 March 2024
Cable Bahamas not convinced Starlink, BTC, CBL on level playing field
Bahamas – Cable Bahamas Limited (CBL Group) said in its concerns about Starlink’s satellite internet service in the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority’s (URCA) 2024 Annual Plan, that the regulation of satellite internet services must occur on a level playing field to the telecommunication sector’s regulatory regime… more
URCA rejects Cable’s Starlink ‘level playing field’ push back
Bahamas – REGULATORS yesterday rejected Cable Bahamas’ renewed concerns that it is competing on an “unlevel playing field” against Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite Internet service… more
In cybersecurity and AI ethics, we need a champion: Enter the IIC
Barbados – The International Institute of Communications (IIC) is recognised as a leading, independent, global forum that unites national regulators, competition authorities, commercial organisations, and consumer advocacy groups. Central to the organisation’s ethos is the establishment of a balanced and impartial environment dedicated to the deep exploration and discussion of issues vital to the communications sector, including television, print news, and social media outlets… more
Belizeans affected by global Facebook and Instagram outage
Belize – Веlіzеаn uѕеrѕ оf Fасеbооk аnd Іnѕtаgrаm јоіnеd mіllіоnѕ wоrldwіdе іn fасіng а mајоr dіѕruрtіоn аѕ thе рорulаr ѕосіаl mеdіа рlаtfоrmѕ ехреrіеnсеd а ѕіgnіfісаnt оutаgе tоdау. Тhе іnсіdеnt lеft uѕеrѕ unаblе tо ассеѕѕ thеіr ассоuntѕ аnd ѕраrkеd соnсеrnѕ аbоut роtеntіаl ѕесurіtу brеасhеѕ… more
Belize Bank and MasterCard Introduce Girls4Tech
Belize – Eight years ago, MasterCard created Girls4Tech, a STEM program that inspires girls to build technology skills that will help them to become leaders of technology in the future… more
CARICOM, USAID PARTNER ON CYBER RESILIENCE STRATEGY 2030 PROJECT
Caribbean – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and the United States Agency for International Development launched a Cyber Resilience Strategy 2030 Project to enhance cybersecurity capacity across CARICOM States… more
Flow outage prompts queries from telecoms regulator
Cayman Islands – A Flow outage has left customers in Bodden Town without internet service, prompting utilities watchdog OfReg to call an urgent meeting with the telecommunications company… more
Flow’s service troubles continue with BT outage
Cayman Islands – Local telecommunications provider Flow struggled with its internet service Tuesday and was forced to apologise to its customers for a broadband outage across the Bodden Town district, just days after the company apologised for problems with its phone and voice services last Thursday… more
ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation Celebrates 63rd Anniversary, Chairman Highlights Significant Advancements Made To The Company
Saint Kitts and Nevis – ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) is celebrating its 63rdanniversary having officially opened its doors on March 05, 1961… more
Wednesday, 6 March 2024
BTC announces significant network improvements as full fiber network deployment continues
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) has announced significant network improvements earmarked across the country, progressing steadily towards deploying a full fiber network nationwide… more
BTC testing tech to improve internet in Family Islands
Bahamas – Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) said in a statement released yesterday that it is piloting new infrastructure for the Family Islands to improve internet connections and ensure reliable speeds. The telecommunications company hopes to roll out the technology before the end of the first half of the year… more
More Guyanese certified by UK Organisation to promote cybersecurity
Guyana – Several persons attached to Guyana’s National Data Management Agency (NDMA) are now certified as part of the Get Safe Online Ambassador Programme… more
Data protection: Where do I start?
Jamaica – On December 1, 2023, the remaining sections of the Data Protection Act (DPA) came into force. On the eve of the day the remaining provisions were set to come into full force, the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) issued a press release advising that all data controllers will be given a six-month ‘grace’ period to register with the OIC. During this period, data controllers are encouraged to create an account on the OIC’s website, create and implement a data protection programme for their organisation and continue to prepare for registration. But where does one begin?… more
Government Continues Consultations on Data Protection Act
Jamaica – The Government continues its consultations with members of the business community regarding the Data Protection Act, to ensure its effectiveness… more
Haughton’s Pharmacy: A legacy of innovation and digital evolution
Jamaica – CELEBRATING its remarkable 104th year, Haughton’s Pharmacy Rx in Mandeville, Manchester, recently unveiled a range of health technology services aimed at enhancing the experience for its expansive customer base, surpassing 110,000. However, this community-based retail pharmacy and multi-generational family business embarked on its digital transformation journey as early as 1990… more
Haughton’s RxPak flies high on health with drones
Jamaica – HAUGHTON’S Pharmacy is pioneering a new era in delivery services, embracing digital transformation with its latest state-of-the-art drone technology, innovative RxPak mobile app, and user-friendly RxPLUS digital wallet. The new innovative technologies were unveiled on Thursday at the Tropics View Hotel in Hatfield, Manchester… more
Thursday, 7 March 2024
BTC celebrates businesswomen
Bahamas – Women in the business of communications were recognized at BTC’s International Women’s Day Forum Thursday morning… more
Cyber chances
Barbados – Barbadians are expressing great interest in job opportunities in the cybersecurity field… more
Digital investments paying off
Caribbean – CARIBBEAN BUSINESSES are reaping the benefits of digital investments, but others risk falling behind at a time that cyber vulnerabilities are increasing. These are some of the main findings of PricewaterhouseCoopers’ (PwC) Caribbean Digital Readiness Survey 2024… more
Guyana needs to address Artificial Intelligence
Guyana – President Irfaan Ali on Thursday said the time has come for government to develop policies to deal with Artificial Intelligence (AI), in light of legal developments in the Developed World… more
Amber and UTech to continue supporting technological innovation
Jamaica – The AMBER UTECH Launchpad, the Amber Group’s (Amber) startup incubator-esque initiative that promises to support 100 startups in 1000 days is now officially open to accepting applications… more
BOJ: No new financial institutions requesting entry into CBDC ‘sandbox’
Jamaica – The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) says up to February this year, there were no financial institutions requesting entry into the central bank digital currency (CBDC) testing “sandbox”… more
Digicel Business and Symptai launch Digital Transformation Survey
Jamaica – As the digital landscape continues to reshape industries, businesses, and communities, there is an unprecedented opportunity to gain greater insight into the Caribbean’s current digital standing. Enter Digicel Business and Symptai Consulting Limited’s region-wide Digital Transformation Survey… more
Jamaica Legal Information Portal development underway
Jamaica – In a bid to enhance public access to legal resources, the Jamaican government has awarded a substantial contract worth US$197,000 to European firm, Softengi, to develop the Jamaica Legal Information Portal (JLIP)… more
Friday, 8 March 2024
Cable urges industry unity on URCA ‘budget travesty’
Bahamas – CABLE Bahamas is urging its rivals to join the battle against “this travesty in budget increases” for the sector’s regulator whose downtown Nassau headquarters it branded an “albatross”… more
Digital transformation will reshape tourism sector, says Cooper
Bahamas – Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Chester Cooper said yesterday that digital transformation will reshape the way The Bahamas does tourism… more
Port Authority recruiting broker to list BPO assets; IPO by year end
Jamaica – The Port Authority of Jamaica, PAJ, is transferring its outsourcing assets to a new company that’s to be divested via the stock market and is hunting for a broker for the listing. The state regulator of ports got the go-ahead from the government… more
Cyber defences need to improve
Trinidad and Tobago – A recent survey conducted by the multinational network of professional services providers firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), showed that cyber vulnerabilities are increasing in the Caribbean… more
Visa pushing digital payments
Trinidad and Tobago – Visa commemorated its inaugural Visa Day in Trinidad & Tobago by encouraging representatives of card-issuing banks, acquirers and fintechs, as well as members from the local commercial sector, to adopt digital payment options… more
Saturday, 9 March 2024
New radars will provide more than 100% coverage of all Dominican Republic airspace
Dominican Republic – The above requirements will cover the country’s airspace, with two new aeronautical and meteorological radars to be installed by the Dominican Civil Aviation Institute (IDAC) and the Doppler operating in Punta Cana… more
British High Commission awards Get Safe Online Ambassadors
Guyana – The British High Commission on Wednesday recognised the achievements of Get Safe Online Ambassadors in Guyana in promoting online safety… more
Cybercrime, recruiting and retaining police officers among challenges facing Police Force – Top Cop
Guyana – Commissioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken on Thursday said that cybercrime, the recruitment and retention of officers are among the challenges facing the Guyana Police Force (GPF)… more
How Dushyant Savadia built Amber Group into one of the Caribbean’s best tech companies
Jamaica – Dushyant Savadia, founder and CEO of the Amber Group, has collaborated with the University of Technology (UTech) to launch the Amber/UTech Launchpad, an innovative initiative to help 100 Jamaican startups get their businesses going in 1000 days… more
Sunday, 10 March 2024
Tacky and disingenuous by GTT
Guyana – Dear Editor, The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company is increasingly being perceived as a tacky company offering third rate services at high costs to consumers. Their lightning-fast DSL evolved into Blaze, then Connex, all of which for the end user, is the same sub-standard overpriced service… more
Images credit: pressfoto (freepik); Wikimedia Commons; Bahamas Local; Wikimedia Commons; Bank of Jamaica (Facebook); Wikipedia; Wikipedia
