A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 2 September to Sunday 8 September 2024.
Monday, 2 September 2024
Managers union, BTC agree to new industrial agreement
Bahamas – The Bahamas Communications and Public Managers Union (BCPMU) and Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) have agreed to a new industrial agreement (IA)… more
Telecommunications Minister, Chekira Lockhart visits ECTEL headquarters in St. Lucia
Dominica – The Minister for Telecommunications, Honourable Chekira Lockhart-Hypolite, visited the team at the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) in St. Lucia, in her role as the chairperson of ECTEL’s Council of Ministers. This significant visit aimed to engage with the staff, celebrate their achievements and address the challenges facing the evolving electronic communications sector… more
Artificial intelligence, new tech solutions part of 2025 Energy Conference
Guyana – The 2025 Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo will be held from February 18 to 21 and a focus on artificial intelligence (A.I.) alongside new technology solutions are expected… more
Tuesday, 3 September 2024
Flow announces broadcast of English Premier League for Caribbean
British Virgin Islands – Local and regional telecommunications provider Flow announced on Monday, September 2, the launch of ESPN Extra this year, along with the broadcasting of the 2024-2025 season of the English Premier League (EPL) on ESPN and ESPN 2… more
NBVI partners with Mastercard for fast and secure cross-border payments
British Virgin Islands – Today, the National Bank of Virgin Islands (NBVI) announces the implementation of Mastercard Cross-Border Services, a service within the Mastercard Move portfolio of money transfer solutions… more
Warning sounded over cybercrime
British Virgin Islands – Businesses in the Virgin Islands have been warned of a rising wave of cybercrime sweeping across the Caribbean… more
Regional outsourcer itel increasing Jamaica’s 2000-strong workforce
Jamaica – International business process outsourcer itel has plans to grow its Jamaican staff complement that numbers almost 2,000 employees after securing accounts with two new clients… more
Flow raising late fees at start of October
Trinidad and Tobago – The telecommunications provider Flow will be increasing its late fees, effective October 1… more
Wednesday, 4 September 2024
HRMAB warns of AI threat to jobs
Barbados. – Many jobs in Barbados may be on the line with the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) and technological advancements in businesses… more
Campers Showcase Skills In Robotics
Barbados – Enthusiasm, excitement and technology came together recently when over 75 students of the Barbados Junior Robotics Camp had the opportunity to showcase what they had learnt to an audience which included parents and sponsors of the camp… more
CXC upgrading offerings with new digital practitioner course for educators
Caribbean – The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC®) has updated its Professional Learning Institute (PLI) to enhance the skills and training of educators throughout the region… more
Grenada to develop policy on drone use
Grenada – Grenada, through the Ministry of National Security, is to develop rules and policies pertaining to the use of drones. These guidelines will focus on identifying no fly zones as well as applying drone technology to assist with improving healthcare… more
AI could revolutionise Court of Appeal, claims chief justice
Jamaica – Jamaica’s Court of Appeal is “ideally placed” for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the settlement of cases, Chief Justice Bryan Sykes has asserted… more
BOJ update on Jam-Dex
Jamaica – The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) has successfully completed the pilot of a dynamic QR code to allow for Jamaica’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) Jam-Dex to be accepted by merchants at point of sale (POS) machines, but there are further delays which will slow the roll out to the public… more
GraceKennedy’s Digital Factory inspires next-gen innovators
Jamaica – In keeping with its focus on bridging the digital literacy and skills gap, the GraceKennedy (GK) Digital Factory recently hosted a back-to-school mentorship day for students aged 9-16 years, under the theme: Innovators of Tomorrow: Discovering Digital Careers… more
JBDC survey reveals digital divide
Jamaica – A recent Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) survey has revealed that a moderate 32.44 per cent of respondents use digital technologies daily and understand their benefits… more
Why can’t we scan cheques with our phones in Jamaica?
Jamaica – While there have been several advancements by Jamaican banks over the last decade, a question that puzzles many persons is why they can’t simply deposit their cheques to their bank account using their smartphone? This already exists in North America and Europe, so why not in Jamaica?… more
NTRC & City Wifi review progress in SKNIX and Digital Services Network advancements
Saint Kitts and Nevis – St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): In July 2024, the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) of St. Kitts and Nevis, led by CEO Ervin Williams, visited the Department of Technology to assess the development of the Internet Exchange Point (IXP) project and the Digital Services Network (DSN). Zach Newman, Director of City Wifi, the first Internet Service Provider (ISP) connected to the St. Kitts and Nevis Internet Exchange (SKNIX), also participated in the visit… more
Is the Crime Hotline App a Hit
Saint Lucia – The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) is encouraging individuals to make use of its crime hotline app as Saint Lucia continues to record homicides and other violent incidents… more
‘Artificial Intelligence vs Human Intelligence’
Trinidad and Tobago – Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to save lives, improve food security and make energy production more efficient and sustainable, all the while reducing the costs of doing business in T&T… more
TT central bank allows company to issue electronic money
Trinidad and Tobago – The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT) says it has issued a issued a provisional registration to Massy Remittance Services (Trinidad) Ltd (MRSTL) to issue electronic money (e-money) for a six-month period… more
Thursday, 5 September 2024
Sagicor Bank named Barbados’ ‘best consumer digital bank’
Barbados – Global Finance magazine has named Sagicor Bank (arbados) the ‘best consumer digital bank’ in Barbados in its 2024′World’s Best Consumer Digital Bank Awards’ for the Latin America region… more
New cybercrime law will target criminals, not free speech – Jagdeo
Guyana – Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday assured citizens that recent revelations that the government intends to amend Guyana’s cybercrime laws are not aimed at curbing free speech… more
FAO Pilots Online Project to Assist Farmers
Jamaica – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is piloting a Digital Services Portfolio (DSP), which has been introduced to 42 farmers from Mile Gully in Manchester, via two workshops… more
TELEM financial woes worsen, company in jeopardy since the publication of CEO position.
Sint Maarten – The financial situation of the country’s telephone company, TELEM, has worsened in recent months. TELEM is finding it difficult to pay its creditors due to the lack of proper cash flow… more
Can Trinidad and Tobago really go cashless?
Trinidad and Tobago – I had intended to write on the re-aligned feminisation of poverty this week but the headlines in the press about the results of the CSEC maths and English exams took precedence… more
TSTT, SOGET partner to make port operations more efficient
Trinidad and Tobago – THE majority state-owned telecommunications company TSTT has partnered with an international ports service provider to make Trinidad and Tobago’s port operations more efficient… more
Friday, 6 September 2024
Pilot project for digital progress tests successful in schools
Curaçao – Several schools participated in a pilot project last week for the digital administration of Progress Tests in Papiamentu and Dutch. According to the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports, students from Mgr. Niewindt College, St. Antonius College, St. Paulus College, and Kolegio Sta. Rosa de Lima were highly enthusiastic after taking the digital tests… more
Guyana’s New Cybercrime Act Will Not Affect Freedom Of Expression, Says Minister.
Guyana – The General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has made it clear that the move to align the Cybercrime Act cyberspace with the United Nations Convention, will not infringe upon the rights of social media influencers or ordinary citizens… more
Allow payment of tax online
Trinidad and Tobago – THE EDITOR: On September 5, chaos erupted at the Board of Inland Revenue as long lines formed for property tax payments, leading to frustration among taxpayers and staff alike… more
Saturday, 7 September 2024
Amendments to Cybercrime Act will not target social media commentators – Jagdeo
Guyana – Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday reassured that the amendments to the Cybercrime Act are not aimed at targeting social media commentators or ordinary citizens who air their views… more
GTT rebrands as ONE Communications
Guyana – In a move to expand and unify its communication services, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) on Thursday officially rebranded as ‘ONE Communications’… more
Financial app helps educator actualise wealth plan
Jamaica – Being able to receive a decision on his loan application in mere minutes was a major boon for Kingston-based mathematics educator Matthew Johnson* who was able to acquire financing recently quickly via a secure financial app. He never needed to wait in line at a bank and the process was seamless. As a result, he was able to cash in on a deal to keep alive his ambitions of becoming a homeowner… more
Sunday, 8 September 2024
Digitization and teachers
Caribbean – Exactly what Caricom heads of government will be doing at their next meeting discussing the CXC Mathematics performance this year is not something which is altogether comprehensible… more
Click, connect and DIY
Jamaica – AFTER years of requiring in-branch visits for people to open new accounts, more financial institutions are embracing technology to allow new clients to be onboarded digitally… more
Images credit: Bank Phrom (Unsplash); ECTEL; Wikipedia; Bank of Jamaica; Telem Group; Stabroek News
