A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 27 January to Sunday 2 February 2025.
Monday, 27 January 2025
Caribbean first aims to bridge gap between insurance and technology
Bahamas – The Insurance Commission of The Bahamas has launched a six-week online initiative, the InsurTech Compliance, Innovation and Regulatory Practices (ICIRP) course, in a bid to marry supervision with the digital age… more
CANTO Connect 2025 Opens in Curaçao
Caribbean – Leaders, innovators, and policymakers from the telecommunications sector across the Caribbean have gathered in Curaçao for CANTO Connect 2025 and the 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM). The three-day event, which officially opened on January 26 at the Renaissance Wind Creek Curaçao Resort, is co-hosted by the Regulatory Authority of Curaçao (RAC) and runs through January 28… more
DEREK SMITH JR: AI’s expanding role in corporate governance
Caribbean – Governance, risk and compliance (GRC) functions are undergoing significant changes, driven by rapid technological advances and increasingly stringent regulatory demands… more
The backup challenge
Caribbean – It’s been a while since backing up your data was a topic in this space… more
Flow announces new location at Melville Street
Grenada – Leading entertainment and communications provider Flow is pleased to announce the relocation of its retail store from Granby Street to a new, modern facility at #7 NIS Building, Melville Street, St George… more
Biometrics must be treated as a necessity for the upcoming elections
Guyana – Dear Editor, Biometrics is not just an option for the upcoming elections; it is a necessity… more
Poor connectivity will hinder hinterland residents from benefitting from digital school—Chandan-Edmond
Guyana – Without robust infrastructure in place, the hinterland and rural communities are at risk of exclusion from the benefits of the soon-to-be established digital school, Opposition Member of Parliament, Geeta Chandan Edmond has said… more
Padarath: Follow ‘due process’ before laying TSTT report in House
Trinidad and Tobago – PRINCES TOWN MP and shadow minister for public utilities Barry Padarath has temporarily softened his calls for the 2023 TSTT cyber-attack report to be laid in Parliament… more
Tuesday, 28 January 2025
PM urges legal capacity boost for AI and Fintech
Bahamas – The Prime Minister last night called for the building of Bahamian legal capacity in areas such as climate change and artificial intelligence (AI) while calling on this nation to fulfill its arbitration centre potential… more
New online payment portal coming for Water & Sewerage
British Virgin Islands – Customers of the Water and Sewerage Department will soon benefit from the launch of an online payment portal, enabling them to pay their bills remotely starting February 1… more
Over 21 officers trained in water quality monitoring and data analysis
British Virgin Islands – The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change has announced that more than 21 environmental and technical officers have completed comprehensive training in water quality monitoring, data analysis, and storage… more
6D Technologies Wins Landmark Deal to Revolutionize Payments for MMG Guyana with Aureus Platform
Caribbean – 6D Technologies is proud to announce its partnership with Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) to transform the payment ecosystem in Guyana using the cutting-edge Aureus platform. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our mission to deliver innovative solutions that redefine customer engagement and financial services… more
Rapidly evolving digital landscape is unique opportunity for cooperation with India – PM
Guyana – Addressing the 76th anniversary of India’s Republican status on Sunday, Prime Minister Mark Phillips highlighted the rapidly evolving digital landscape in India as presenting a “unique opportunity” for collaboration… more
St. Joseph School introduces new podcast studio for pupils
Sint Maarten – St. Joseph School announced on Tuesday the launch of a podcast studio as part of its commitment to fostering innovation and creativity… more
Wednesday, 29 January 2025
The transformative power of digital payments in Latin America
Caribbean – As the year starts, it is time to renew the regional focus on bringing more Latin Americans into the formal financial economy… more
Biometrics must be implemented for the upcoming elections
Guyana – Dear Editor, Biometrics is not just an option for the upcoming elections; it is a necessity. The urgency for electoral reform cannot be overstated, and it is time to demand action… more
Introducing biometrics without legal framework would be unconstitutional – GECOM
Guyana – The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Tuesday said that the use of biometrics at the place of polls for the upcoming General and Regional Elections requires a legislative framework failing which it would be unconstitutional… more
Symptai says SMEs struggle to meet Data Protection Act requirements
Jamaica – As Jamaica observes International Privacy Week from January 27 to 31, Symptai Consulting Limited, a leader in cybersecurity and data protection solutions, is urging local businesses to embrace a more people-centric approach to data privacy… more
Government plans to give TELEM NAF 5M in financial injection —PM.
Sint Maarten – The government of St. Maarten plans to give TELEM Group of Companies some NAF 5M to assist the company that is failing financially.… more
bmobile Launches VoLTE in T&T
Trinidad and Tobago – bmobile has marked another milestone with the introduction of Voice over LTE (VoLTE) technology, becoming the first mobile provider in Trinidad and Tobago to allow customers to talk and surf simultaneously… more
Thursday, 30 January 2025
Commission’s $221.6m FTX claim to now drop below other creditors
Bahamas – The Supreme Court yesterday approved the Securities Commission’s bid to relegate its $221.55m claim against FTX behind those of the insolvent crypto exchange’s clients and other victims… more
Regional telecoms urged to overcome digital hurdles
Caribbean – The Caribbean telecommunications sector must make a united effort to overcome the region’s digital hurdles… more
USD 9 Billion+ Needed to Support Caribbean’s Transition to a Gigabit Society
Caribbean – The Caribbean’s transition to a gigabit society, defined by widespread high-speed internet connectivity of 1 gigabit per second (Gbps), requires an investment of upwards of USD 9 billion, according to Lisa Agard, Chair of CANTO’s C9 group… more
Where cyber security threats begin: Phishing
Caribbean – According to a 2021 CISCO report, most successful data breaches – more than 90 per cent – are the result of data phishing… more
Biometrics at place of poll not a feasible option for 2025 – GECOM
Guyana – Given the current level of interest in some quarters concerning the introduction of biometrics at the Place of Poll for the upcoming General and Regional Elections, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has iterated its position that to introduce biometrics at the place of poll is not feasible within the time presently available before the elections are held later this year… more
TelEm asks govt. for NAf. 5 million guarantee letter, govt. will assist
Sint Maarten – The TelEm Group has asked government to provide it with a NAf. 5 million guarantee letter, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina said on Wednesday… more
Social listening: Secret to understanding customers
Trinidad and Tobago – With the ever-evolving digital landscape, businesses must learn to stay ahead of customer expectations to remain competitive… more
Friday, 31 January 2025
Antigua Demands Starlink Pay Sales Tax
Antigua and Barbuda – Starlink, the satellite internet service provider operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is under investigation by authorities in Antigua and Barbuda for failing to pay the Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST) on its services… more
Gov’t targets telecommunications service provider Starlink for unpaid taxes
Antigua and Barbuda – The government is moving to obtain unpaid taxes from telecommunications service provider Starlink… more
Symonette: Super Value digital points system getting over ‘humps’
Bahamas – Super Value hoped to launch its digital loyalty program by the end of this month, but had several issues with the new system before fully bringing it to the public, Super Value President Debra Symonette told Guardian Business recently… more
Mastercard readies click to pay for local market
Caribbean – Mastercard is looking to expand the suite of payment solutions available locally following the roll-out of its click-to-pay service sometime later this year… more
Bring Uber car service to Guyana
Guyana – Dear Editor, Guyana is ready for the Uber car service. It is available in Barbados and other nearby countries. Uber was in Trinidad at one time but later closed operations… more
MC Systems launches Phoenix i2025 as financial inclusion becomes a priority
Jamaica – Almost four years after acquiring Phoenix International Core Banking System, local technology solutions provider MC Systems launched the latest upgrade of the banking system, known as Phoenix i2025… more
Put data-protection policies into education system, says UWI data-protection officer
Jamaica – Dr Patrick Anglin, the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) data-protection officer, is calling for data-protection policies to be implemented in Jamaica’s education system in order to streamline the use and security of sensitive information in schools… more
Customs and Excise Department Launches e-Payment Porta
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – The Customs and Excise Department hosted its week of activities as part of the global celebration for International Customs Day on January 26, officially launching its e-payment portal, which is expected to significantly advance the operations of the department… more
The Ministry of VROMI Launches Digital Complaint Form with QR Code Access.
Sint Maarten – The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI) is pleased to announce the launch of its new Digital Complaint Form, a modern and accessible solution designed to empower the public to voice their concerns with ease and efficiency… more
Saturday, 1 February 2025
The Bahamas’ PM Davis Advocates Tech Innovation; And Calls To Millennials And Gen Z Legal Practitioners To Let Voices Be Heard, At Law Society’s Legal Week 2025
Bahamas – During his Official Remarks at the Opening Ceremony of the University of The Bahamas Law Society’s Legal Week 2025, on January 27, 2025, at the Harry C. Moore Library, Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis noted that, as a region, they all recognise the need to invest heavily in technological innovation… more
Guyanese can keep phone numbers, change providers from this month
Guyana – The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on Saturday announced that from later this month, cellphone and fixed line subscribers in Guyana could keep their existing numbers but change the companies they are subscribed with… more
Slow or negligible adaptation to digital technologies puts countries like Guyana at a competitive disadvantage
Guyana – Dear Editor, I am writing to express my thoughts regarding Banks DIH’s announcement at their most recent annual shareholders meeting, where the company’s CEO revealed plans to construct a new beer bottling plant instead of pursuing a project in the technology sector, such as a computer assembly plant or a facility for electronic and digital equipment… more
JAMPRO, ITC collaborate on promoting Jamaica’s global digital services in the UK
Jamaica – Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) have embarked on a partnership to promote Jamaica’s Global Digital Services (GDS) companies in the United Kingdom… more
Digicel CEO steps down
Trinidad and Tobago – ABRAHAM Smith, the outgoing chief executive officer of Digicel Trinidad and Tobago, says that during his six years in this country, he has never felt unsafe… more
Sunday, 2 February 2025
C&W three-year cap
Barbados – Barbadian households and businesses with a standalone fixed telephone service from Cable & Wireless (Barbados) Limited (C& W) will be spared price increases for approximately the next three years under a new Price Cap Plan (PCP) implemented by the Fair Trading Commission (FTC)… more
Number portability to be available in Guyana shortly – PUC
Guyana – The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will be implementing number portability in Guyana which will take effect from February 10, with the official launch to be shared in a subsequent announcement, a PUC release announced yesterday… more
Images credit: rawpixel.com (Freepik); CANTO; Wikipedia; Symptai Consulting (LinkedIn); Telem Group; Wikimedia Commons; Wikimedia Commons; JAMPRO (Facebook)
