A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 15 April to Sunday 21 April 2024.
Monday, 15 April 2024
BTC fined for violating URCA’s mobile number portability rules
Bahamas – The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) has fined the Bahamas Telecommunications Company Ltd. (BTC) more than $200,000 for violating URCA’s mobile number portability rules, after finding that there were delays in BTC’s porting requests, the regulator said in a statement released yesterday… more
BTC slams ‘excessive’ $209,488 URCA fine
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) last night slammed the $209,488 fine imposed on it by regulators for breaching mobile number portability rules as “unwarranted and excessive”… more
Digicel appoints Marcelo Cataldo as Group Chief Executive Officer
Caribbean – Originally from Paraguay, Marcelo [Cataldo] has diverse international experience having worked across Latin America, the US and Europe. He joins Digicel from Tigo Colombia where he has served as Chief Executive Officer and President since August 2016… more
Next-gen news consumers. What do they want?
Caribbean – On March 05, FT Strategies formally launched the findings of a study of how today’s generation of news consumers finds their information… more
Kashta Graham | 10 data protection questions every CEO should ask
Jamaica – As a CEO, you have a critical responsibility to ensure your organisation is taking the necessary steps to protect the personal data of your customers, staff and other relevant stakeholders… more
Chang: Digitised traffic ticketing system working very well
Jamaica – Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang says the new digitised traffic ticketing system “is working very well”, with the police issuing more tickets than before… more
Pinaka Consulting partners with Flexxon
Trinidad and Tobago – An intriguing panel discussion on ransomware at Chainalysis #Links24 event recently focusing on the crypto payment aspect. Many lessons in here for Caribbean policy makers… more
Tamana Intech Park a failure?
Trinidad and Tobago – IN LIGHT OF Prime Minister Rowley’s recent suggestion that his Cabinet somehow saved the country through its management of the energy sector, assuming it wasn’t an April Fools’ prank, it is worth analysing this and other areas of the Government’s economic management… more
Tuesday, 16 April 2024
EveryData Unveiled – A Deep Dive into Credit Reporting in Barbados
Barbados – Over the last 15 years, I have penned hundreds of articles on business and technology. Truthfully, only a select few topics have resonated with me as both urgent and deeply personal… more
President Luis Abinader presents plan to train specialists in semiconductors and microelectronics
Dominican Republic – President Luis Abinader used the first half of the weekly La Semanal press meet to explain the effort to launch the Dominican Republic as a hub for manufacturing of semiconductors and microelectronics to benefit young people in the Dominican Republic. President Luis Abinader seeks to be reelected on 19 May 2024, and the majority vote in that election comes from young voters… more
Jamaica parliament soon to receive draft digital ID regulation for scrutiny
Jamaica – Plans are being finalized to send the draft regulation on Jamaica’s digital ID program to the country’s parliament for examination and possible endorsement… more
Role of technology in higher education crucial, says Education Minister
Jamaica – The role of technology in higher education has become more crucial now than ever, says Minister of Education and Youth, Fayval Williams…more
VM Money Transfer partnership expands remittance market for Jamaicans
Jamaica – VM Money Transfer Services has entered a strategic partnership with TerraPay, a leading global provider of cross-border payment solutions… more
Wednesday, 17 April 2024
6 digital business lessons I’ve learned over the years
Caribbean – Starting a digital business can be an exhilarating yet challenging journey, one that is filled with learning opportunities and moments of discovery. When I embarked on this adventure with my Droid Island business back in 2016, I was a neophyte in the vast digital landscape… more
Digicel Group appoints new CFO
Caribbean – Digicel Group today announced the appointment of Leopoldo Gutierrez as group chief financial officer, effective May 1… more
Fujitsu: Anchoring the region’s digital transformation
Caribbean – Fujitsu stands proud as one of the oldest information communication technology (ICT) companies in the world, with an 80-year history operating in the region, and a pioneer that brought many foundational technologies to the Caribbean… more
Government unveils new cybersecurity policy framework
Guyana – To enhance cybersecurity resilience, the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) unveiled 43 new policies as part of the Government’s National Cybersecurity Policy Framework at the launch of their 4-day policy sensitisation seminar hosted at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) on Tuesday… more
JN Money partners with GiftMe to enrich diaspora customer experience
Jamaica – Jamaica-based remittance company JN Money and digital card marketplace, GiftMe, have partnered to allow persons to send e-gift cards to their loved ones in Jamaica from across the diaspora… more
Williams advocates for greater opportunities for girls in ICT
Jamaica – “We are championing a movement,” declared Education and Youth Minister Fayval Williams on Tuesday as she addressed the CREATHER Girls in Information Communication and Technology (ICT) media launch held at the Immaculate Conception High School (ICHS)… more
Work in Progress to Digitise Police Stations
Jamaica – Jamaica’s law-enforcement landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with the digitisation of police stations across the island in progress… more
Thursday, 18 April 2024
BTC Sponsors National Family Island regatta, Will Provide Free Wi-Fi
Bahamas – Thousands attending the upcoming National Family Island Regatta in Geroge Town, Exuma, will be able to take advantage of free Wi-Fi, compliments of BTC, throughout the five-day event… more
BTC unions ‘exploring all options’ amid industrial agreement negotiations
Bahamas – Unions for Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) are eyeing industrial action amid industrial agreement negotiations, claiming the telecommunications company has no compassion related to recent terminations and alleged unsafe working environments… more
Leveraging AI in your job search, education future
Caribbean – In the dynamic landscape of today’s job market, artificial intelligence (AI) is not just a tool for automation but a pivotal ally in career development and job searching… more
Govt. unveiled 43 new policies as part of cybersecurity strategy
Guyana – National Data Management Authority (NDMA) unveiled 43 new policies as part of Government’s National Cybersecurity Policy Framework at the launch of their 4-day policy sensitisation seminar hosted at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) on Tuesday… more
Fortinet reports Jamaica suffered 43 million cyber attack attempts in 2023
Jamaica – Jamaica received 43 million attempted cyberattacks in 2023, according to data from FortiGuard Labs, Fortinet’s threat intelligence and analysis laboratory… more
Gov’t Committed to Executing Digital Transformation the ‘RITE’ Way
Jamaica – Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Skills and Digital Transformation, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, says the Government is committed to executing digital transformation the “RITE” way… more
Jamaica’s Opposition Urges Swift Social Media Policy
Jamaica – Jamaica’s opposition is calling on the government to implement a social media policy for government officials. This demand stems from the recent online activity of State Minister Alando Terrelonge, which involved the alteration of portraits of former Prime Ministers Portia Simpson Miller and P.J. Patterson at the Jamaican High Commission in London… more
Friday, 19 April 2024
Power of AI in banking showased at science and technology festival
Barbados – The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help children gain financial literacy was highlighted at the recent three-day Science and Technology Festival… more
Cyberattacks continue to rise but security firms vigilant
Jamaica – Following the recent release of a Fortinet report which shows approximately 43 million attempted cyberattacks taking place in Jamaica last year, at least two local cybersecurity firms are reminding of their vigilance in the space even as the proliferation of new technologies challenge their efforts… more
RJRGLEANER Group’s radio services to join digital switchover
Jamaica – The RJRGLEANER Communications Group has announced that its radio services will also be added to the next generation digital transmission services… more
Quamina: TPHL has strong cybersecurity measures
Trinidad and Tobago – TRINIDAD Petroleum Holdings Ltd (TPHL) has the ability to protect itself against cyberattacks… more
Saturday, 20 April 2024
Poor half-year performance by One on One
Jamaica – One-on-One Educational Services delivered a poor half-year performance, indicative of the tough times the digital education company is encountering… more
Sunday, 21 April 2024
Sagicor Bank added as Jam-Dex wallet provider
Jamaica – Sagicor Bank Jamaica Limited (SBJ) has been added as the third wallet provider for Jam-Dex, Jamaica’s central bank digital currency (CBDC)… more
TAJ to seek guidance as Office of the Information Commissioner disputes DPA block
Jamaica – The Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) says it will be seeking “guidance” from the country’s data protection regulator, which has contradicted its claim that the law blocks the release of the names of owners of two properties it is leasing… more
Netflix’s popularity comes at a cost
Trinidad and Tobago – T&T is still very much into Netflix and chill… more
Images credit: Suzy Hazelwood (Pexels); Wikimedia Commons; Wikipedia; 1000Logos; BTC (Facebook); RJR Group;
