A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 11 March to Sunday 17 March 2024.
Monday, 11 March 2024
BTC “Inspires Inclusion”
Bahamas – With the overall aim to “Inspire Inclusion,” BTC pulled out all the stops to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) last week, simply to remind its female staff that they are valued, respected, and very much appreciated… more
URCA releases revised consumer protection regulations for electronic communications sector
Bahamas – The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) has published revised consumer protection regulations for the electronic communications sector, emphasizing the need for service providers to prominently display “service arrangements, rates, and terms” on their websites and ensure timely updates coinciding with service launches or changes… more
URCA tells mobile providers to build opt-out feature for ads by text
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company Limited (BTC) and Cable Bahamas Limited/Be Aliv Limited (CBL/Aliv) have informed the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) that developing an opt-out option for promotional text messaging will be difficult, expensive and might require months of development… more
Global Consumer Organisations Share Concerns About Generative AI
Caribbean – Consumer groups are closely monitoring issues of manipulation, bias, discrimination, privacy and data protection revealed in a 2023 report as generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots are set to transform the way we search the web… more
The Meta fail: Why you should be a digital homeowner
Caribbean – ON MARCH 5, for just over an hour, Meta’s online platforms, including Facebook, Messenger and Instagram, went offline globally for hundreds of thousands of users. Meta’s WhatsApp chat service and its virtual reality environment Horizon Worlds experienced minor disruptions… more
WANSAT and GTT record historic win with Cellular Backhaul Technology in Guyana
Guyana – GTT, in partnership with WANSAT, has successfully backhauled cellular traffic from the hinterland to Georgetown via an international satellite and fibre connection, the phone company said Monday… more
St. Kitts And Nevis Champions Fair And Responsible Artificial Intelligence To Enhance Consumer Protection
Saint Kitts and Nevis –As St Kitts and Nevis gears up to celebrate World Consumer Rights Day on March 15, 2024, the Right Honourable Dr. Denzil L Douglas, Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade, Industry, Commerce & Consumer Affairs, has emphasised the importance of this year’s theme, “Fair and responsible AI for consumers.” … more
Tuesday, 12 March 2024
ArawakX full wind-up sealed without a fight
Bahamas – THE Bahamas’ first-ever crowd funding platform’s fate was yesterday sealed without a fight after its former principals effectively consented to its liquidation amid claims of a near-$4m insolvency… more
Cable ‘takes exception’ with URCA over Freeport blame
Bahamas – CABLE Bahamas “takes exception” with its regulator blaming it for “an increase in bad debt” due to challenging its ability to licence and regulate the company’s Freeport operations… more
New app that links businesses with tourists launched
Bahamas – The StreetSmart App, that will allow users to book excursions, find restaurants, and find things to do around town, was officially launched yesterday at the Nassau Cruise Port… more
Using visitor monitoring systems to improve office building operations
Caribbean – As the modern workplace continues to evolve, security measures and operational efficiencies play a pivotal role in maintaining a safe and productive environment. One such measure that’s rapidly gaining traction is the integration of visitor management solutions… more
Hinterland cell towers linked to GTT’s core network
Guyana – GTT says that in partnership with WANSAT it has successfully backhauled cellular traffic from the hinterland to Georgetown via an international satellite and fibre connection… more
Wednesday, 13 March 2024
Non-cash payments encouraged after crime warnings to tourists
Bahamas – THE Ministry of Tourism is using technology to combat warnings by cruise ships not to carry cash, according to Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper… more
Mastercard appoints new president for region
Caribbean – Mastercard has appointed Kiki Del Valle as the division president for North Latin America, encompassing key regions such as Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean… more
Laptops have become game changer for children preparing for exams
Guyana – Dear Editor, I travelled to Charity, Essequibo this week-end, in time for its traditional Monday Market Day to reach out to residents and shoppers with affordable laptop technologies I embarked on making accessible especially for school children… more
JTDA unveils new exec
Jamaica – The Jamaica Technology and Digital Alliance (JTDA), formerly Jamaica Computer Society, a leading advocate for the ICT community and a pillar in the Jamaican technology landscape, has named its new executive marking the beginning of a renewed journey towards innovation, empowerment, and community engagement… more
Thursday, 14 March 2024
Digital banking ‘easing pain’ in Family Islands
Bahamas – DIGITAL banking providers are easing the “pains and pressures” faced by unbanked and underbanked Family Islands, according to Jevon Butler, chief sales officer at Kanoo, said yesterday… more
SunCash seeking to solve banking challenges on North Andros
Bahamas – Digital payments provider SunCash is seeking to take advantage of North Andros’s booming economy and replace Scotiabank for cash services on the island… more
Tech leaders back Kanoo innovation hub in elevating technology in The Bahamas
Bahamas – Bahamian app Kanoo Pays and its sister organization Kanoo Innovation Hub, in collaboration with tech leaders Lucy Guo and Kirk-Anthony Hamilton, showcased their commitment to advancing technology in the Caribbean at an event last week in The Bahamas… more
QEH upgrade of ICT systems on track
Barbados – Following a cyber breach two years ago that severely hampered its operations, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) is this year undertaking a major upgrade of its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to enhance its patient care delivery systems… more
5 ways marketers can leverage AI
Caribbean – In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital marketing, artificial intelligence (AI) has grown tremendously over the last year, offering innovative tools and solutions that empower marketers to optimise their strategies and outpace the competition… more
Samsung Galaxy Ring offers new ways to simplify wellness
Caribbean – ANDROID communication giant Samsung is offering a new way to simplify health and wellness through its new Samsung Galaxy Ring, which could possibly make its debut along with other products later this year… more
Redacted report reveals little to justify subsea cable
Cayman Islands – The Cayman Islands Government has released a heavily redacted outline business case, compiled by consultants Grant Thornton, on the government’s plans for a new telecommunications submarine cable. Key details have all been omitted, such as costs (estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars), its length and where it will be linked to… more
National Telecommunication Regulatory Commission office reopens
Grenada – The National Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (NTRC) office is thrilled to announce that its office at Maurice Bishop Highway, Grand Anse, St George has reopened effective 13 March 2024, and its temporary office located at the Public Utility office has been closed… more
MC Systems & Phoenix International host webinar on financial inclusion in emerging markets
Jamaica – Participating experts in Wednesday’s (March 13) hosted by Phoenix International and MC System webinar on financial inclusion in emerging markets, have highlighted the positive impact that artificial intelligence (AI) will have on enhancing inclusivity… more
Newspaper describes Meta’s inaction as callous following hacking of Facebook page
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – A national newspaper in the Caribbean nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has described as “callous” the inaction by Meta following the takeover by hackers of the company’s Facebook page (@Searchlight1)… more
Backup power supply failure causes major TelEm outage
Sint Maarten – St. Maarten Telecommunications Group of Companies TelEm encountered technical issues from around 4:00pm Wednesday, causing disruptions to TelCell and Telnet services. TelEm Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kendall Dupersoy expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to all clients… more
Friday, 15 March 2024
A.I.-driven solutions ‘can improve our health care, reduce poverty, combat climate change, mitigate crime’
Bahamas – ARTIFICIAL Intelligence (AI) will be a tool the Bahamas Government plans to use in the future, according to Parliamentary Secretary of Economic Affairs Wayde Watson, who teased an app that is in development currently that utilises AI… more
Sand Dollar option for payroll at Kamalame Cay
Bahamas – PRIVATE island destination Kamalame Cay has turned to digital payments for part of its payroll… more
StreetSmart app committed to reaching all merchants downtown
Bahamas – The developers of the StreetSmart app admit to not reaching all the downtown merchants at their launch event on Monday, but they are committed to reaching every merchant and vendor in the downtown area… more
Belize Postal Services’ Digital Upgrades
Belize – The Belize Postal Service has modernized its system and is catching up with delivery services like Amazon. Customers now have more control over their packages… more
B.T.L. Needs a New C.E.O.
Belize – A vacancy is being advertised for the highest position at B.T.L., that’s for a new Chief Executive Officer. In today’s edition of the Amandala Newspaper, a full-page ad was published inviting interested candidates to apply for the post… more
Cybercrime charge against Ramayya dismissed
Guyana – A cybercrime charge stemming from statements political activist Dr Veerasammy Ramayya made about a pandit in an online video in 2022 were on Tuesday dismissed at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court… more
Saint Kitts and Nevis Ambassador Advocates Tech Empowerment for MSMEs at International Conference in Washington D.C.
Saint Kitts and Nevis – As part of official duties as Chair of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development, Saint Kitts and Nevis Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the OAS, Her Excellency Jacinth Henry Martin, delivered remarks at the International Conference “Expanding International Market Opportunities for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs)” held at the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C… more
Saturday, 16 March 2024
Getting Wise To Artificial Intelligence And Consumer Rights.
Barbados – Get wise to artificial intelligence (AI)! That’s the message from Barbados’s Acting Public Counsel in the Office of Public Counsel, Douglas Frederick, to members of the public… more
Dominica part of new Switzerland-based citizenship investment software
Dominica – Dominica has been listed on a new citizenship software that was launched on Friday, March 15 2024, in Switzerland… more
Holness urges J’cans to embrace NIDS
Jamaica – PRIME MINISTER Andrew Holness says the introduction of the National Identification System (NIDS) is a critical step in Jamaica fully becoming a digital society and is urging Jamaicans to embrace the technology… more
Sunday, 17 March 2024
Digital technology key to Guyana’s wildlife conservation strategy
Guyana – Guyana is rich in biodiversity, especially with an abundance of a wide variety of wildlife species and to preserve this status digital technology is playing a key and critical role… more
Banks urged to go digital for financial inclusion
Jamaica – FINANCIAL institutions are under increasing pressure to swiftly integrate technology and artificial intelligence (AI) into their business models… more
Images credit: Jon S, (flickr); Guyana Chronicle; ArawakX; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Bahamas Sand Dollar (Twitter); Wikipedia
