A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 2 December to Sunday 8 December 2024.
Monday, 2 December 2024
Blue skies for microblogging?
Caribbean – All the buzz in social media has been about the “x-odus” from the platform formerly known as Twitter in the wake of the US presidential election and the role that its owner, Elon Musk visibly played during the campaign… more
Social media and the future
Caribbean – THE EDITOR:The results of the recent US election should provide a sobering moment to think about the nature of our media environment…more
Claro Puerto Rico modernizes its security infrastructure with Genetec Security Center
Puerto Rico – Genetec Inc. (“Genetec”), a technology leader in unified security, public safety, operations and business intelligence, reports that Claro, one of the largest telecommunications providers in Latin America, has been taking significant steps toward modernizing its security infrastructure in Puerto Rico, with the implementation of the Genetec™ Security Center unified security platform… more
Tuesday, 3 December 2024
Govt embraces digital, protective farming in food security drive
Barbados – Barbados is charting a new course in agriculture by integrating cutting-edge digital tools and protective farming techniques to bolster food security, enhance resilience to climate change, and modernise its farming practices… more
Grenada’s Mitchell to chair Special COTED on ICT
Caribbean – Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM and Prime Minister of Grenada, the Hon. Dickon Mitchell, will preside over the 111th Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on 5 December 2024, which will focus on Information and Communication Technology (ICT)… more
Central Bank approves new e-money issuer
Trinidad and Tobago – THE Central Bank has issued a provisional registration to e-money issuer WamNow Technologies Ltd, (WamNow), the bank said in a release on December 2… more
COSTAATT to work with Animae Caribe
Trinidad and Tobago – THE College of Science, Technology, and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT) and Animae Caribe have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at revolutionising animation education and advancing the industry in the region… more
Wednesday, 4 December 2024
BTC ‘firing on all cylinders’ as 5G looms
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) chief executive yesterday pledged to deliver “more innovation” in 2025 via 5G and improved connectivity, adding: “It feels like we’re firing on all cylinders.” … more
Local tech encourages Christmas bonuses to retain staff and boost morale
Bahamas – CEO of local tech company Plato Alpha Design and TriblockHR Duran Humes is encouraging companies that have the means to use Christmas bonuses to boost staff morale this year, and to continue to retain staff.… more
Costly attacks
Barbados – Countries pay thousands of dollars to recover from data breaches, but no one has quantified losses to the individual, says cybersecurity expert Edward Millington, nor have governments been held accountable… more
With smart card, pensioners lead public transport’s tech revolution
Barbados – The Transport Board has taken a bold step into the digital age of public transport with the launch of a smart card system designed to modernise public transit and improve efficiency… more
Connected Caribbean summit to be held in Miami
Caribbean – DEVELOPMENTS in entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence and regional policies will be the topics of discussion at the upcoming Connected Caribbean Summit (CCS) 2024, taking place in Miami, Florida from December 9-12… more
C&W Business reaffirms commitment to Caribbean innovation at Tech Beach Retreat
Caribbean – C&W Business has joined Tech Beach Retreat (TBR) organisers in welcoming scores of founders, global executives, and noteworthy investors in technology for the three-day summit that commences on Wednesday (December 4) at the Secrets Resort in Montego Bay… more
Grenada PM to chair special CARICOM information and technology meeting
Caribbean – The Honorable Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada and current Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), is set to lead the 111th Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on December 5, 2024. The primary focus of this meeting will be Information and Communication Technology (ICT)… more
BTP represents Sint Maarten at strategic postal sector ministerial meeting.
Sint Maarten – Bureau Telecommunications and Post Sint Maarten (BTP) proudly participated in the Postal Sector Ministerial and CCE meetings (management meetings held for member countries to discuss regulatory and operational framework matters) organized by the Postal Union of the Americas, Spain and Portugal (UPAEP). This landmark event took place in El Salvador, bringing together key stakeholders from across the region to address pressing challenges in the postal sector… more
‘Beware of cyberbreaches for Christmas’
Trinidad and Tobago – Vice president of the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2) Caribbean Chapter, Ricardo Fraser, is encouraging online shoppers and consumers in general to be wary of scam calls and other cybersecurity breaches during the Christmas season… more
Thursday, 5 December 2024
Gov’t issues cybersecurity warning amid rising WhatsApp scams
British Virgin Islands – The Virgin Islands government has issued an alert to the public about social engineering attacks targeting WhatsApp users locally… more
CELIA submarine cable connecting the Caribbean to the United States
Caribbean – Members of the submarine cable agreement (CELIA) consortium have introduced CELIA, a new high-capacity “express” cable in the Caribbean region connecting Aruba, Martinique, Antigua, Puerto Rico, and Boca Raton in Florida (USA)… more
Mastercard underlines digital shift
Caribbean – Andrea Scerch, president of Mastercard’s Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) says financial inclusion remains important for countries in region, noting that while some progress has been made there is still some work to do… more
One Communications supports UG students with data plan
Guyana – One Communications (formerly GTT) recently signed a new University of Guyana (UG) Student Plan agreement with the recently elected University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) to help students in their studies, stay connected, and access critical academic resources, a release from the utility company stated on Tuesday… more
“Tech-Savvy Seniors Are Transforming their Lives at Sint Maarten Library.
Sint Maarten – The Sint Maarten Library proudly marked the successful completion of its 2024 Cyber-Seniors program with a heartfelt closing ceremony. This transformative initiative empowered 20 senior participants with essential technological skills, helping to bridge the digital divide and enhance their day-to-day lives… more
Friday, 6 December 2024
Cable targets 30,000 ‘reach’ with new network by end ‘25
Bahamas – Cable Bahamas is “aiming to reach” 30,000 subscribers with its new fibre-to-the home network by end-June 2025 while promising shareholders of “continued growth” in profits and earnings per share (EPS)… more
DIR: Just 1.3% of Family Island Airbnbs registered
Bahamas – The Department of Inland Revenue (DIR) yesterday asserted that just 1.3 percent, or 502 out of an estimated 38,000 Family Island vacation rental properties, are registered with it… more
Local businesses urged to take advantage of Amazon direct shipping
Bahamas – Deputy chairman of the Bahamas Trade Commission, Senator Barry Griffin, is encouraging businesses to look for the opportunities that will come with the introduction of Amazon direct shipping to The Bahamas, given that the e-commerce giant and online shopping are not going anywhere… more
Auditors highlight AI fraud threat, urge defences against digital deception
Barbados – In a stark warning to corporate Barbados, the nation’s top internal audit experts on Thursday sounded an alarm on a new digital menace: sophisticated fraud schemes powered by artificial intelligence that can replicate voices and faces with terrifying precision, potentially draining millions from unsuspecting businesses in seconds… more
‘The Caribbean is important to us’
Caribbean – Addressing concerns regarding lower levels of focus being given to Caribbean markets when compared to its Latin America counterparts, Mastercard’s country manager for Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Dalton Fowles has sought to make it clear that all customers across the LAC region is of equal importance to the global payments company… more
Flow working to fix cables damaged by vandals in St. Andrew
Jamaica – Telecommunications company, Flow Jamaica, says its crews are trying to repair the damage to its fibre cable by vandals in the Half Way Tree areaon Friday morning… more
TAJ says computer issue delaying reverse income tax credit payments
Jamaica – Senior Information officer at Tax Administration Jamaica Leighton Beckles, says a computer-related problem at the Accountant General’s office is the main reason for a delay in the payment of funds under the reverse income tax credit scheme… more
SMEs need help to shift from cash, says Mastercard
Trinidad and Tobago – Small and micro enterprises (SMEs) are vital drivers of economic progress but despite their importance, many in Latin America and the Caribbean remain heavily dependent on cash… more
Saturday, 7 December 2024
– Nil –
Sunday, 8 December 2024
Central Bank gets plaudits on e-money
Trinidad and Tobago – Mastercard’s country manager for Jamaica, T&T, Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Dalton Fowles, is commending this country’s Central Bank for doing a “pretty good job” in granting Electronic Money Issuer (EMI) licences, which continue to pave the way for T&T’s digital transformation journey… more
Images credit: Jon Tyson (Unsplash); Caribbean Jobs; Stabroek News; Wikipedia
