A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 24 February to Sunday 2 March 2025.
Monday, 24 February 2025
BTC connects with Coral Harbour community; Family fun day shows appreciation to customers
Bahamas – The Coral Harbour Community Park was buzzing with excitement on Saturday, February 22 and as residents of Southwest New Providence turned out in droves for BTC’s family fun day and fish fry… more
BTC launches the highly anticipated Samsung S25 Series
Bahamas – The wait is finally over for Samsung lovers looking for an upgrade! The Samsung S25 series is now available in all BTC retail stores in New Providence… more
CARICOM leaders agree to implement sweeping reforms to education, security and digital technology
Caribbean – CARICOM leaders have announced plans for sweeping reforms across multiple sectors, including education, regional integration and digital technology following their 48th Regular Meeting, which concluded during the wee hours of Friday, February 21… more
C&W Caribbean earnings up
Caribbean – Liberty Latin America (LLA), the communications group which owns and operates Cable & Wireless (C& W) businesses in Barbados and the Caribbean, is reporting increased revenue and income from the region during the recently-ended 2024 financial year… more
Integrating Caribbean realities into global AI safety policies
Caribbean – The Caribbean environment is shaped by post-colonial slavery and indentureship, giving rise to transplanted populations that experienced cultural fragmentation, particularly through loss of language… more
bMobile takes mobile speed top spot for Q3, Q4, 2024
Trinidad and Tobago – bmobile has been officially named Trinidad and Tobago’s fastest mobile network by Ookla® for Q3 and Q4 2024. This dual win solidifies bmobile’s position as the leader in mobile network performance within the country… more
Is e-money a solution in search of a problem?
Trinidad and Tobago – The conversation around e-money, digital cash transactions, digital payments and electronic value transfer has been a curious mix of blustery announcements and radio silence over the three months I’ve been asking questions in the space… more
Tribe introduces augmented reality
Trinidad and Tobago – Technology is now an integral part of almost every aspect of our lives, and it has also found its way into the local Carnival scene through an augmented reality (AR) app… more
Tuesday, 25 February 2025
New subsea cable to transform local technology infrastructure in 18 months
Antigua and Barbuda – Antigua and Barbuda is currently investing approximately US $15 million in a subsea cable infrastructure project that aims to revolutionize technology access and the integration of artificial intelligence across the nation… more
Bahamian provider unveils first AI-powered loan officer
Bahamas – A Bahamian financial services provider yesterday unveiled what it described as the world’s first artificial intelligence (AI) powered humanoid loan officer, Evelyn Phylistina (Evie)… more
70 Schools Gain Internet Through ConnectED Project
Belize – Seventy schools across the country are now connected to high-speed internet, thanks to the ConnectED project. This fantastic initiative is a joint effort between the Ministry of Education and Digi, ensuring that schools not only get fast internet but also receive top-notch technical support, maintenance, and continuous monitoring… more
The Public Utilities Commission limits Starlink’s operations in Belize
Belize – The United States-based internet company Starlink has received permission to operate in Belize from the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), albeit with limitations… more
Mastercard beefs up scam protection
Caribbean – Mastercard and Feedzai, an AI solution provider in financial crime prevention, yesterday announced that they are joining forces to make it easier for more banks to identify and stop scams, protecting consumers and businesses globally… more
The Cyber beast stalking Caricom’s economic future
Caribbean – “Whether tackling the climate crisis, addressing gun violence, or championing equitable global financial reforms, we must act with one voice and one purpose.” With those words, Prime Minister Mia Mottley signalled the strategic direction for her year as chairperson of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). However, while the region grapples with the relentless ravages of climate change, another economic monster is quietly raging, largely overlooked by heads of government: cybersecurity… more
Wednesday, 26 February 2025
AI, technology integration critical to greater profits
Bahamas – The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation’s (BCCEC) chief executive yesterday said the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies is key to greater business profits… more
URCA announces partnership with Caribe Sigma for nationwide ICT access and usage survey
Bahamas – The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) has announced its partnership with Caribe Sigma Research Company to conduct a comprehensive nationwide survey on the state of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) access and usage throughout The Bahamas… more
URCA conducts research on communications usage
Bahamas – The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) yesterday said it has hired a consult to assess access to, and use of, information and communications technology (ICT) by Bahamians… more
Making AI work for business
Caribbean – CFOs have been urged to take care with how they attempt to apply artificial intelligence (AI) in their finance operations, as research reveals that most of last year’s projects to introduce the technology did not make it over the line… more
Be! AI For All (AiFA) showcases AI tools at first exposition in Guyana
Guyana – Be! AI For All (AiFA), a new artificial intelligence company, has opened its first exposition in Guyana to raise awareness about high-tech AI-driven solutions designed to assist local citizens in their everyday lives… more
JBDC urges MSMEs to embrace digital tools for tax filing and recordkeeping
Jamaica – With the 2025 tax season in full swing, the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) is encouraging micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to adopt digital tools to improve recordkeeping and tax compliance… more
Outsource2Jamaica 2025 to chart future path for global services sector
Jamaica – The Global Services Association of Jamaica (GSAJ) says the fifth installation of the Outsource2Jamaica (O2J) 2025 conference in Montego will highlight the growth of the sector over the last decade as well as chart a path for the future… more
Thursday, 27 February 2025
MacKenzie: Cybersecurity insurance a good opportunity for local insurance firms
Bahamas – A Bahamas-based cloud services provider said yesterday that there is an opportunity for insurance companies to offer cybersecurity insurance in The Bahamas, considering how prevalent cybersecurity threats are becoming, and how crippling they are to organizations… more
PM pledges simpler tax filing via ‘OneTax’ portal
Bahamas – The Prime Minister yesterday pledged the Government’s new “OneTax” portal will make paying taxes easier and simpler as he hailed the revenue generated by enhanced compliance and enforcement efforts… more
Govt moves forward with e-conveyancing to fast-track land transactions
Barbados – The government has unveiled plans to revolutionise the property transfer system through e-conveyancing, a digital platform designed to eliminate inefficiencies, reduce costs, and speed up the process of securing land ownership records… more
Reid, new innovation minister, pledges digital transformation
Barbados – Jonathan Reid has been sworn in as minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, vowing to position the island as a global leader in digital transformation and cybersecurity while driving efficiency across government systems… more
Skype announces it will close in May
Caribbean – Skype, the video-calling service that had hundreds of millions of users, is closing in May, its owner Microsoft has said… more
Gov’t begins ID card rollout to ministry’s civil servants
Cayman Islands – The Cayman Islands National ID Programme will begin a pilot rollout on Friday among government workers after Cabinet approved the relevant regulations. The Ministry of Social Development and Innovation (MSDI) and the eGov department will issue the first National ID cards to internal team members and key ministry personnel involved in the project… more
OfReg finds Flow’s cell tower safety inadequate
Cayman Islands – A new report from the Utility Regulation and Competition Office (OfReg) has revealed some serious issues regarding the poor state of Flow’s infrastructure, the safety concerns surrounding it, as well as the management of and knowledge about its cell towers… more
Telecoms firm Flow told to repair towers after hazard warning
Cayman Islands – Towers owned by a major Cayman telecommunications firm need urgent work to make them safe, a report by the industry’s watchdog revealed on Wednesday… more
EduFocal’s cash position remains under pressure with weak 2024 performance
Jamaica – Digital learning and creative company Edufocal Limited is reporting a weak 2024 performance in which its cash position remains pressured but is being actively managed through an ongoing refinancing process, among other conservation efforts… more
Mastercard partners with NCB to support unbanked MSMEs
Jamaica – Mastercard is partnering with NCB Jamaica to support unbanked micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across the island… more
Sitepact JA is Empowering Small Businesses in Jamaica with Affordable Website Solutions
Jamaica – Small businesses in Jamaica often struggle with the high costs of website development, preventing them from establishing an online presence. Sitepact JA is tackling this challenge head-on, having already helped over 100 small businesses get online without upfront costs… more
Beware of Fraudulent VOICE Web and Social Media Pages
Saint Lucia – It has come to our attention once again, that fraudulent VOICE web and social media posts and pages are being used by individuals with malicious intent to tarnish the reputations of esteemed Saint Lucians and institutions by spreading false information… more
Bmobile invests in AI-powered math tutor
Trinidad and Tobago – Bmobile has invested more than $300,000 in the research, development and roll-out of an AI-driven math learning platform called B Smart at Math… more
Friday, 28 February 2025
Starlink Won’t Interfere in Local Internet Business, Says PM
Belize – Recently, ads have been promoting Starlink’s internet in Belize for as low as twenty-nine dollars a month. But what does this mean for local internet providers? The PM reassures that local businesses shouldn’t worry because Starlink will only be available in the most remote areas of Belize… more
Jamaica and the Caribbean need a holistic AI roadmap
Jamaica – As the AI revolution surges, Jamaica and the Caribbean find themselves at critical crossroads. While the world adapts to the transformative potential of AI, our region risks falling behind without a unified, forward-thinking strategy… more
Saturday, 1 March 2025
Scotiabank commits $6M in 2025 to assist STEMGuyana with Learning Pods programme
Guyana – STEMGuyana and Scotiabank Guyana on Friday announced that Scotiabank Guyana has committed G$6,624,000 for the 2025 academic year to assist its Learning Pods initiative. StemGuyana described its collaboration with the bank as “significant partnership …to sustain and enhance its Learning Pods Programme”… more
T&T’s ride-hailing companies see Carnival boom
Trinidad and Tobago – With the influx of visitors and tourists in T&T and people not wanting to drive to various fetes and other events for the Carnival, ride-hailing companies are seeing a major spike in their service… more
Sunday, 2 March 2025
Jamaicans urged to exercise personal digital safeguards
Jamaica – Jamaicans are being encouraged to take control of their personal data and defend their digital rights as the country navigates an increasingly data-driven landscape… more
Images credit: journalismthatmatters (flickr); Marketing Magazine; Wikimedia Commons; Bahamas Weekly; Apple iTunes; CompaniesLogo
