A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 3 June to Sunday 9 June 2024.
Monday, 3 June 2024
BTC hit by ‘sabotage act’ in North Eleuthera
Bahamas – THE BAHAMAS Telecommunications Company (BTC) says it fell victim to “an act of sabotage” that knocked out all mobile, Internet and landline services to North Eleuthera customers on Friday… more
BELTRAIDE sails toward financial innovation with FINTECH 2024
Belize – Іn а соllаbоrаtіvе еffоrt bеtwееn thе Веlіzе Тrаdе аnd Іnvеѕtmеnt Dеvеlорmеnt Ѕеrvісе (ВЕLТRАІDЕ) аnd thе Сеntrаl Ехесutіng Unіt (СЕU) оf thе Міnіѕtrу оf Есоnоmіс Dеvеlорmеnt, Веlіzе іѕ еmbаrkіng оn а grоundbrеаkіng јоurnеу іntо thе rеаlm оf fіnаnсіаl іnnоvаtіоn… more
Caribbean innovations in justice technologies lauded at UK digital week
Jamaica – Caribbean-inspired innovations in technologies for the administration of justice in the courts were on show at UK Digital Week. Held last week (May 23-24), it was the staging of a special Justice Symposium hosted by the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) in collaboration with the Caribbean Agency for Justice Solutions (CAJS)… more
How the police became a media outlet
Trinidad and Tobago – Earlier this year, former SBCS lecturer in media Abbigail Ajim successfully defended her thesis for a doctorate in philosophy at the University of Leicester… more
Tuesday, 4 June 2024
Alleged landowner ‘sabotages’ BTC’s fiber optic cable in North Eleuthera, disrupting services
Bahamas – BTC says that an alleged landowner who has repeatedly threatened to sever the company’s fiber optic cable in an attempt to extort compensation followed through on the threat last week, resulting in disruption of service in North Eleuthera… more
BTC: Eleuthera sabotage was an ‘extortion’ attempt
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) yesterday asserted that its fibre optic cables serving Eleuthera were deliberately cut in a bid to extort money from it over a land dispute… more
CIBC eyes AI for future banking experiences
Caribbean – The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC Caribbean) has introduced “Tiffany,” an artificial intelligence (AI) module designed to enhance customers’ banking experience in TT… more
Dutch government hires US consultancy for subsea cables study
Caribbean – The Dutch government has hired American consulting firm Pioneer Consulting to conduct research into the digital connectivity of its three islands in the Caribbean… more
Wednesday, 5 June 2024
Survey on digital payments in Barbados
Barbados – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), in partnership with the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs (MPEA), is conducting research on the challenges and opportunities of using digital payments in Barbados… more
Digicel activates subsea fibre cable, Deep Blue One
Caribbean – The mobile phone network and home entertainment provider, Digicel Group, has announced the activation of its subsea fibre cable, Deep Blue One, which is expected to “supercharge” connectivity across the Caribbean and South America, particularly benefiting Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago… more
Mastercard: Empowering MSMEs in the Caribbean
Caribbean – Financial inclusion goes far beyond connecting people to bank accounts. It is a powerful tool that allows them to exercise greater control over their expenses and income… more
Brakes on ridesharing
Jamaica – Transport Minister Daryl Vaz has recommended an “immediate ban” on ridesharing services which he says has triggered serious safety concerns for members of the public… more
DBJ launches first venture capital fund in 30 years
Jamaica – The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) has made an investment of US$4.9 million into a venture capital fund, Jamaica’s first in over 30 years, it says… more
JSE suspends EduFocal and Equityline Mortgage Investment
Jamaica – The Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) has suspended the trading of shares of two listed companies after failing to file their audited financial statements for 2023… more
IT Department undertaking measures to ensure government’s cybersecurity
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The Department of Information Technology on Nevis is currently undergoing the process of ensuring the safety of the government’s cyber space and maintain cybersecurity… more
St. Kitts Health Services ICT Project Symbolises Government’s Strategic Step Towards Modernising Health Services Through Digitisation
Saint Kitts and Nevis – As part of its mandate to transform and modernise healthcare services in St. Kitts and Nevis, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has introduced a new high-speed, cutting-edge ICT network for the healthcare system, marking a crucial step in the digitisation of the public health sector… more
SVG Falls Behind in Digital Accessibility of Laws
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – From Belize, the Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, to Guyana, all independent anglophone Caribbean countries appear to have at least one online website where persons can easily access most or all of their laws… more
Thursday, 6 June 2024
Digicel launches new subsea fibre cable system
Caribbean – Digicel Group on June 4 announced the activation of its subsea fibre cable, Deep Blue One, describing it as a “significant investment” in international submarine capacity that will supercharge connectivity across the Caribbean and South America… more
Don’t steamroll STEAM
Caribbean – GOOD SENSE has prevailed at the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), which has reversed moves to cut a cluster of forward-thinking science and agriculture subjects from its syllabus. Regional educators should be cultivating more interest in these areas, not facilitating their demise… more
Vibrant activities in Fintech: Market Analysis on Financial Innovation in Curaçao and Sint Maarten
Caribbean – The financial sector undergoes a continuous stream of innovations. This leads to new products, services, and business models and rapidly transforms the market structure… more
WiPay acquires Miami-based travel company
Caribbean – WiPay, a Caribbean’s fintech company, is announcing its acquisition of Travelele.com, an innovative Miami-based online travel company that directly rivals Expedia’s offerings… more
Finance Minister: Cryptocurrency in Curaçao feasible and necessary
Curaçao – The allowance of cryptocurrency in Curaçao is not only feasible but also necessary. This was stated by Finance Minister Javier Silvania on Tuesday during the SiGMA Asia, an online gaming conference in Manila… more
EXCLUSIVE: TELEM CEO Kendal Dupersoy will soon be jobless.
Sint Maarten – The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TELEM Group of Companies, Kendall Dupersoy, will soon have to go job hunting as the Supervisory Board of TELEM has informed him that his contract will not be renewed come January 2025. Dupersoy has been heading the TELEM Group of Companies for the past eight years… more
Term Finance launches new learning platform
Trinidad and Tobago – Term Finance, one of the Caribbean’s largest web-based financial institution, launched its innovative Online Financial Wellness platform, which will be at no cost to individuals and micro, small, and medium-size businesses (MSMEs) using this platform… more
Friday, 7 June 2024
Mastercard and data.org launch AI challenge to accelerate inclusion and economic empowerment
Caribbean – The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, in collaboration with data.org, has launched the Artificial Intelligence to Accelerate Inclusion Challenge (AI2AI Challenge), a global call for AI solutions to accelerate inclusion and economic empowerment… more
Bunting wants overhaul of Interception of Communications Act
Jamaica – Opposition Senator Peter Bunting is calling for a thorough overhaul of the Interception of Communications Act to address challenges being faced by investigators… more
inDrive denies suspect in Danielle Anglin’s disappearance used its platform
Jamaica – Ride-hailing company inDrive says the suspect in the murder of primary school teacher Danielle Anglin did not offer his service through its platform… more
Cariri launches virtual learning platform
Trinidad and Tobago – The Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (Cariri) has launched the Innovation Nation Training Programme, a virtual learning platform that focuses on science, innovation, entrepreneurship and climate action… more
Saturday, 8 June 2024
Gov’t exploring e-schooling, voucher system for private schools in light of strike – Jagdeo
Guyana – Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo announced on Thursday that the government is exploring the options of e-schooling and a voucher system to allow parents to enroll their children in private schools, to ensure that they receive a quality education… more
Online payment to T&TEC frustrating
Trinidad and Tobago – THE EDITOR: It is indeed frustrating and unfair when a payment made to a utility company, such as T&TEC, doesn’t show up due to bank processing delays, leading to service disconnection. This scenario typically unfolds as follows:… more
Sunday, 9 June 2024
Drones revolutionizing crop management – GRDB
Guyana – The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has been spearheading the use of drones in the agricultural sector since 2021, revolutionizing crop management for farmers… more
Driver dilemma
Jamaica – Up to a year ago, Sebastian Henry* was toiling more than 12 hours each day as a chef to earn a weekly salary of $15,000… more
‘From banana chips to microchips’
Jamaica – With hundreds of deaths and an almost-crippled economy, Jamaica’s brush with the COVID-19 pandemic has revolutionised the country’s employment and economic landscape, and its leadership should take note and adapt… more
Images credit: Free-Photos (Pixabay); Belize Chamber of Commerce; BTC (Facebook); Wikimedia Commons; Wikipedia; WiPay Caribbean; Wikimedia Commons; Wikipedia
