A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 9 September to Sunday 15 September 2024.
Monday, 9 September 2024
‘Remarkably favourable’ multi billion gain for FTX creditors
Bahamas – FTX’s Bahamian liquidators are asserting that the failed crypto exchange’s creditors and customers will enjoy “a remarkably favourable outcome” via a multi-billion interest gain while recovering all their principal… more
Why cash is king in Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago – Last month, the TT International Finance Centre (TTIFC) issued a summary of the results of its survey of financial inclusion in this country… more
Tuesday, 10 September 2024
CaribNOG brings cutting-edge tech meet to Curacao this month
Curaçao – From September 19 to 20, Curacao will be at the center of regional technology innovation as it hosts the twenty-eighth assembly of the Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG). This unique professional association is a spirited volunteer-driven community committed to strengthening the Caribbean’s Internet infrastructure… more
Cyberspace is becoming a dark place
Guyana – The notion that cyberspace should exist in some fictional realm, free from the meddling hands of governments and regulatory authorities, is as fanciful as believing that international waters are a pirate’s playground immune to the reach of the law. Cyberspace is a real place that is becoming, increasingly a dark place… more
CONATEL closes 5 illegal radio stations and demands corrections from 23 legal stations
Haiti – The General Directorate of the Executive Body of the National Telecommunications Council (CONATEL) informs that, following a new complaint from the National Office of Civil Aviation (OFNAC) concerning radio interference on aeronautical links, in the Departments of the Center and the North (Mirebalais, Hinche, Cap-Haïtien), a technical team was dispatched during the period from August 25 to September 1st, 2024 to resolve this problem… more
Flow Statement on Island-wide Outage
Saint Lucia – At around 7:00 PM on September 7, 2024, Flow customers encountered a temporary outage that impacted all services, including Entertainment, Fixed Broadband, Fixed Voice, IP & DATA, IP Transit, and Mobile… more
Wednesday, 11 September 2024
BTC and BCPMU sign historic 4-year industrial agreement
Bahamas – Following months of negotiations and discussions, BTC and its union partner, The Bahamas Communications and Public Managers Union (BCPMU), made it official, inking a new industrial agreement between both parties… more
BTC middle managers gain 10% base pay rise
Bahamas – Middle managers at the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) yesterday signed an “historic” industrial deal that includes a 10 percent base pay increase over its four-year term… more
BTC signs four-year industrial agreement with BCPMU
Bahamas – THE Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) and the Bahamas Communications and Public Managers Union (BCPMU) signed a four-year industrial agreement yesterday… more
‘Cart before the horse’ over $377m FTX Bahamas fight
Bahamas – FTX’s Bahamas liquidators yesterday accused a failed crypto bank’s administrator of “putting the cart before the horse” in an escalating legal battle over a $377.419m claim against the collapsed exchange… more
ESPN Extra announced C&W Communications in time for English Premier League (EPL)
Caribbean – C&W Communications, which operates Flow, Flow Business, C&W Business, and BTC is promising football enthusiasts an expanded viewing experience as the English Premier League (EPL) with the introduction of a new channel, ESPN Extra… more
itel call centre to close its doors in Guyana
Guyana – Just some three-plus years after establishing its large customer call centre in Guyana, Jamaica-based itel has announced plans to close its operations in the country, leaving hundreds facing unemployment in what will be a blow to the government which has been seeking to expand the sector… more
UK to expand digital authorization for travellers from Guyana, other countries
Guyana – The UK government is taking major steps towards delivering its aim to digitise the UK border and immigration system and yesterday set out new implementation dates for the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme… more
MSMEs urged to embrace e-commerce
Jamaica – DIGITAL experts are encouraging local businesses to embrace e-commerce to tap into export opportunities, cautioning that other countries are already ahead in this space… more
SCOTIA WOOS APPLE PAY
Jamaica – Jamaicans will gain access to Apple Pay in 2025 when the Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica (BNSJ) becomes the first local bank to partner with the US$3 trillion giant… more
Enhancing security, digital transformation, and economic efficiency
Trinidad and Tobago – FOR the upcoming budget, the American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (Amcham T&T) is calling on the Government to enhance national security measures by introducing a comprehensive maintenance plan for crime detection and enforcement equipment and implementing advanced DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) testing and forensic capabilities… more
Thursday, 12 September 2024
‘School safe’ after social media alarm
Bahamas – CONCERNING social media posts from 9th grade Lyford Cay International School students prompted a police investigation… more
IGT Coding & Robotics Rock! Camp equips youth for new school year
Sint Maarten – A student from the St. Maarten Youth Council eagerly awaits the start of a coding session during the IGT Coding and Robotics Rock! Camp… more
Friday, 13 September 2024
Network Engineer Byron Sierra Inspires STEM Studies Class at St. Ignatius High School, Santa Elena Town, Cayo District, Belize C.A.
Belize – Nеtwоrk еngіnееr Вуrоn Ѕіеrrа vіѕіtеd Ѕt. Іgnаtіuѕ Ніgh Ѕсhооl’ѕ ЅТЕМ Ѕtudіеѕ сlаѕѕ оn 12th Ѕерtеmbеr 2024, whеrе hе ѕhаrеd hіѕ саrееr јоurnеу аnd іnѕіghtѕ wіth аѕріrіng еngіnееrѕ… more
Cayman’s connectivity now at full strength following Maya-1 repairs
Cayman Islands – Cayman’s recent outages of international internet connectivity have come to an end with the completion of repairs to the Maya-1 undersea cable, utilities regulator OfReg has announced… more
DNO Alert: DNO not linked to fake news about Matt Peltier
Dominica – It has been brought to the attention of Dominica News Online (DNO) that a fake news article about talk show host, Matt Peltier that has been circulating on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, has been attributed to our news outlet… more
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court advances in digital transformation
Caribbean – As the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) progresses into the realm of digitalization with the third and final module of the E-litigation portal officially launched in Dominica, even further advancement appears to be underway… more
Digital Diplomacy: Grenada’s opportunity to lead Caricom into the future
Grenada – In an era where digital innovation is key to national development, Grenada, under the leadership of Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, is uniquely positioned to pioneer a novel model for international cooperation: Digital Diplomacy… more
Insurance sector main target for cyberattacks
Trinidad and Tobago – WHILE data on cyber risks in this country are limited, evidence and public reports suggest that firms have been experiencing various types of cybercrime, including ransomware, phishing, and data breaches, leading to significant losses, according to the Central Bank’s latest financial stability report… more
Why I am leaving Trinidad and Tobago after 10 years
Trinidad and Tobago – IN a candid discussion on X, Kyle Maloney, co-founder of Tech Beach, captured a sentiment that resonates with many in our nation today: “I see many people struggling to find their footing in Trinidad, and I know that if they changed their location, they would thrive, big time.” … more
Saturday, 14 September 2024
– Nil –
Sunday, 15 September 2024
Digital transformation will have cybersecurity edge: govt tech officer
Barbados – Barbados is on the brink of a sweeping digital transformation, with a particular focus on enhancing its cybersecurity infrastructure, the government’s chief technological officer has said… more
Guyana Cybercrime Law Will Only Apply To Criminals, Says Minister.
Guyana – Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party , has repeated that the move to amend the Cybercrime Act of 2018 is not intended to stifle online discourse among Guyanese, but it is intended to target online criminal activities such as child pornography… more
Flow bids farewell to 2 respected managers at special retirement ceremony
Jamaica – Flow Jamaica recently hosted a retirement event for Opal Neil, former Senior Manager Regulatory Affairs and Juliet Best, former Manager Regulatory Compliance. These two former members of the Legal and Regulatory team dedicated many years of expertise and guidance to the company and its affiliate, Cable & Wireless Communications… more
Digital health education platforms for schools
Jamaica – With the ever-increasing incidence of non-communicable diseases, there is a critical need for more ways to deliver comprehensive health education… more
JBDC aiming to alleviate MSMEs’ anxiety amid digital transformation push
Jamaica – The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) is optimistic that the Digital Jamaica Summit & Showcase hosted at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel recently will offset some of the anxiety among Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) as they seek to go digital with their operations… more
PRISON CELL DISCONNECT
Jamaica – A law enacted nearly three years ago to stem the influx of cell phones in prisons has failed its first test, forcing a prosecutor to end the trial of a prisoner who was purportedly discovered with two mobile devices in his cell at a maximum-security facility… more
Y Smart Data launches address database, will help reduce insurance fraud
Jamaica – Y Smart Data has introduced its curated address database for the island, highlighting the benefits for the insurance industry… more
Image credits: kalhh (Pixabay); Wikipedia; BTC (Facebook); CompaniesLogo; Wikipedia; Wikimedia Commons
