A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 19 August to Sunday 25 August 2023.
Monday, 19 August 2023
WiPay empowers with GOVPAY Digital Payment Management System
Grenada – WiPay, the Caribbean’s leading digital payment solutions provider, is pleased to announce its renewed commitment to the Government of Grenada with the confirmation of an additional 3-year contract… more
Govt. touts greater access to info from public agencies with Open Data Bill
Guyana – Guyana is on the path to having a law which caters for greater access to information by citizens with the tabling of the Open Data Bill… more
Taiwan and SVG Collaborate on Advanced ICT Projects
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – On 16 August, Ambassador Fiona Huei-Chun Fan and Assistant Commissioner Leonard Fergus co-visited the E-Bus and Security Operation Center, and exchanged views on a range of issues, including Information and Communication Technology (ICT) projects and future cooperation fields… more
TelEm Group says telecommunication benefits for St. Maarten are many now that the company’s SMPR-1 cable is repaired.
Sint Maarten – TelEm Group expects to return to full service of its newly repaired SMPR-1 undersea fiber cable as early as September, bringing with it a host of benefits for customers on St. Maarten… more
TelEm Group successfully repairs SMPR-1 cable after 8-year hiatus
Sint Maarten – The TelEm Group is excited to announce the successful restoration of its SMPR-1 undersea cable, which has been out of commission for nearly eight years. The repair work, conducted at Playa Isla Verde, San Juan, Puerto Rico, was completed despite challenging weather conditions, including the threat of Tropical Storm Ernesto… more
Changing the education conversation
Trinidad and Tobago – On June 30, the Prime Minister gave a commencement speech to more than 400 graduates at the University of the Southern Caribbean… more
Disgusted with TSTT’s service
Trinidad and Tobago – THE EDITOR: I wish to register my utter disgust with the internet service provided by TSTT. Around 7 am on July 11, I realised that I did not have internet service… more
Time for local content law for radio stations
Trinidad and Tobago – THE EDITOR: As we approach the national budget, I would like to propose an initiative that has the potential to generate new revenue, create opportunities for our youth, and reduce foreign exchange outflows. That initiative is: the passage of legislation mandating minimum levels of local content on our radio stations… more
Tuesday, 20 August 2023
Belize launches network of Digital Connect Centers
Belize – Belize has completed Phase 1 of its Digital Inclusion Program, marking a significant step towards expanding digital access nationwide… more
Cell Phone Repair Course for Women and Youth Launched in Corozal
Guyana – A new training program focused on cell phone repair has been launched in Corozal Town. The Corozal Think Tank, which oversees the Regional Economic Development Masterplan for Corozal District, is collaborating with the Ministry of Investment and the Women’s Commission to provide this training… more
Wednesday, 21 August 2023
URCA begins public consultation on electronic communications sector licence review
Bahamas – The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) has launched a public consultation process to review and modify existing Electronic Communications Sector (ECS) licenses. This initiative aims to maintain a regulatory framework that is robust, equitable, and aligned with the evolving needs of both the industry and the Bahamian public… more
URCA’s changes to electronic comms sector to include stricter fee delinquency penalties
Bahamas – The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) yesterday released its public consultation process for the changes it proposes to make that will affect licensees in the Electronic Communications Sector (ECS)… more
URCA proposes expanding content regulation to digital and social media in revised code
Bahamas – The Utilities Regulation & Competition Authority (URCA) has released a consultation document proposing revisions to the Code of Practice for Content Regulation, including extending its applicability to broadcast licensees’ digital and social media platforms… more
Carib$ goes live with first regional transfer
Caribbean – Pan Caribbean digital payment system Carib$ successfully showcased its first live transfer recently between companies in Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago and St Vincent and the Grenadines… more
CXC launches e-Preslip
Caribbean – Candidates who sat the May/June 2024 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) tests will be able to access their preliminary results in digital format… more
How to leverage AI and new SEO rules to grow online
Caribbean – THE digital landscape is constantly evolving, and with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), we’re entering a new era of search. AI isn’t just a buzzword — it’s fundamentally changing how search engines operate and how users interact with the web… more
More smartphone cheats in CXC exams
Caribbean – The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has revealed a concerning rise in exam irregularities, driven by the increased use of smartphones and smartwatches to cheat during the May/June 2024 exam period… more
Thursday, 22 August 2023
‘Pay up or operating licence suspended’ proposes URCA
Bahamas – CHANGES are being proposed to the electronic communications sector in a new consultation document released by the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA)… more
CCT sets the tone in resilience for BVI telecoms
British Virgin Islands – Caribbean Cellular Telephone (CCT) continues to establish itself as the most reliable choice for telecommunications in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). This reputation was further solidified during the recent passage of Tropical Storm Ernesto, which has since intensified into Hurricane Ernesto… more
AI reshaping talent, skills opportunities
Caribbean – The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in accountancy and finance presents challenges and opportunities for the profession… more
Top online schools to learn new skills
Caribbean – In today’s global job market, traditional university education no longer guarantees career success, especially in smaller regions like the Caribbean, where universities often lag behind in teaching the latest in-demand skills… more
High-tech mineral mapping will reduce cost of gold prospecting, preserve environment, says officials
Guyana – Wednesday inked a US$1.875 million dollar agreement to begin a high-tech multi-year mineral mapping exercise, the first since 1968, to pinpoint gold deposits and reduce the cost of prospecting, officials said… more
Other than digitizing and integrating existing geological data, what else is this mineral mapping expected to achieve?
Guyana – Dear Editor, The recent reports that the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has commissioned “Consulting Services for Mineral Mapping Study of Guyana’s Mineral Resources (Gold Resources and Non-traditional Minerals)” stirred my interest as someone who has some familiarity with such work… more
‘Watch out for third-party IT risk’
Trinidad and Tobago – Managing director ACE Strategic Solutions and vice president of the ISC2 (International Information System Security Certification Consortium) Caribbean Chapter, Ricardo Fraser, is urging local businesses to adopt third-party risk management (TPRM) practices following the Microsoft outage in July, which resulted in businesses affected globally, to the tune of billions of US dollars… more
Friday, 23 August 2023
Police mull dedicated social media monitoring unit to reduce crime
Antigua and Barbuda – Police are considering enhancing their social media monitoring capabilities by establishing a dedicated unit to that end in an effort to curtail criminal behaviour by youth gangs… more
Consultation begins on 5G communications
Bahamas – CONSULTATION is being launched over 5G communications technology in The Bahamas… more
URCA releases consultation document for 5G
Bahamas – The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) released its consultation document on the roadmap to enable 5G deployment in The Bahamas yesterday, outlining that one of the biggest hurdles to rolling out 5G will be the large financial investment stakeholders will have to make to facilitate its delivery… more
URCA unveils draft ‘roadmap’ for 5G deployment in The Bahamas
Bahamas – URCA has developed a draft ‘roadmap’ to identify and address regulatory and policy issues essential for the deployment of 5G technology in The Bahamas… more
12 Caribbean countries better equipped to advance digital transformation
Caribbean – Policy makers from twelve Caribbean territories are now better equipped to accelerate digital transformation and digitalisation efforts and take actionable steps toward a more sustainable and inclusive digital future for their citizens… more
Cayman is regional leader in 5G network availability
Cayman Islands – At the Caribbean Spectrum Management Conference held in Jamaica earlier this year, the Cayman Islands was singled out as being ahead of the curve in the region when it comes to wireless broadband connectivity. Both Flow and Digicel launched 5G services in June… more
Digicel’s data service in the North Rupununi are a major disappointment for its subscribers
Guyana – Dear Editor, The vexatious issue of Digicel’s data service in the North Rupununi and some other hinterland locations has been highlighted previously both on social media and in the print media but no remedial action has been taken to date… more
Govt. working to equip hinterland with telemedicine features
Guyana – The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister is working to install internet connectivity in health facilities across hinterland regions, ensuring telemedicine options are available… more
Cyberattacks drop 78 per cent
Jamaica – ATTEMPTED cyberattacks on networks in Jamaica fell 78 per cent over the first six months of this year with the country recording four million such attacks over the period compared to 19 million attempts for the same period last year, according to global cybersecurity solutions company Fortinet… more
Flow to move portion of core network underground
Jamaica – CABLE & Wireless is about to invest millions into moving more of its network infrastructure below ground to prevent downtime from hurricanes. The investment comes as part of funds its parent company, Liberty Latin America Limited (LILA), will be spending to move 170 kilometres of its core network/backbone underground across the Caribbean as it looks to build back in certain jurisdictions from Hurricane Beryl… more
Paying taxes, fees online – way to go
Trinidad and Tobago – THE EDITOR: I was heartened to see articles in the newspapers this week signalling the Minister of Finance’s support for financial inclusion and more digital transactions… more
Saturday, 24 August 2023
Data Protection Commissioner responds to DLP e-voting complaint
Barbados – The Data Protection Commission (DPC) has formally responded to a complaint by a member of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) regarding the party’s proposed electronic voting system, which has sparked debate over the handling of sensitive personal data… more
100% digital certificates of deposit
Dominican Republic – Qik Banco Digital Dominicano, S.A. Banco Múltiple, a subsidiary of Grupo Popular, launched its 100% digital certificates of deposit, which offer benefits that make them attractive products for people who want to grow their savings… more
Gov’t to equip hinterland with telemedicine features – Anthony tells NTC conference
Guyana – As part of government’s commitment to enhancing the delivery of healthcare in the hinterland regions, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister is working to install internet connectivity in health facilities across these regions to ensure the availability of telemedicine options, a release from the Department of Public Information (DPI) stated yesterday… more
Jagdeo warns citizens not to fall prey of online scam falsely using prominent figures
Guyana – General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) and Vice President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo has cautioned the public about a number of online scams that are misusing the images of well-known Guyanese leaders for fraudulent activities… more
Digital Literacy Summer Training Sessions Begin
Saint Lucia – The Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP) in partnership with the Taiwan Technical Mission, the Division of Innovation within the Ministry of Education, and Bank of Saint Lucia, is currently conducting Digital Literacy Summer Training Sessions across various communities island-wide… more
Cashless society needed for financial inclusion
Trinidad and Tobago – HESITANCY to embrace a cashless society remains evident, as a survey conducted by the European Union and the United Nations Capital Development Fund reveals a strong preference for cash savings among citizens… more
Sunday, 25 August 2023
Digicel upgraded but under pressure
Jamaica – The financial performance of telecoms Digicel Group has stabilised, with its operations generating over US$14 million in cash for the year, leading to a rating upgrade by Moody’s… more
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