A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday, 30 June to Sunday, 6 July 2025.
Monday, 30 June 2025
Money in a Flash: New Rules Push Barbados into Real-Time Payment Era.
Barbados – Starting March 31, 2026, all commercial banks in Barbados must use the new Instant Payments System (IPS). The country’s three biggest credit unions, the Barbados Stock Exchange, and the Accountant General’s Office must also join… more
Indian tech firms show increased interest in Cayman
Cayman Islands – Cayman could be in line for an influx of tech company start-ups from India, experts from the region have said… more
Why FNP means exactly nothing
Trinidad and Tobago – The introduction of Fixed Number Portability, the ability of fixed line users to change providers without losing their phone number, is not a completely pointless announcement, but it’s very nearly so… more
Tuesday, 1 July 2025
Govt rolls out new online visa and payment systems
Barbados – The Barbados Immigration Department has launched a new online visa application portal and introduced online payments for all immigration services… more
More Internet Providers Coming to Curaçao as FLOW Faces Growing Competition
Curaçao – FLOW remains the largest internet service provider on Curaçao, but its dominant position is set to face serious competition as more companies move toward entering the market. Minister of Traffic, Transport and Urban Planning (VVRP), Charles Cooper, announced during a public parliamentary session on Wednesday that several new concessions have either been granted or are under review… more
Creatives urged to adapt as tech transforms industry
Trinidad and Tobago – As generative artificial intelligence (AI) continues to broaden its capabilities, more companies are turning to platforms like ChatGPT to produce text and images for their campaigns… more
Wednesday, 2 July 2025
Bajan businessman sues Meta
Barbados – Barbadian Charles Charlie Spice Lewis and his US-registered digital company Spice Holdings have filed a lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc., seeking US$50 million in compensatory damages… more
TRIBUNE TECH: How ChatGPT and other AI tools are changing the teaching profession
Caribbean – FOR her 6th grade honours class, math teacher Ana Sepúlveda wanted to make geometry fun. She figured her students “who live and breathe soccer” would be interested to learn how mathematical concepts apply to the sport. She asked ChatGPT for help… more
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One year on from Beryl: Flow’s network fully recovered
Grenada – As Grenada marks the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Beryl’s passage, Flow Grenada confirms that mobile, internet, and cable services have been fully restored across Carriacou and Petite Martinique… more
One Communications gets new CEO, predecessor promoted in parent company
Guyana – ATN International (ATNI) – the parent company of One Communications – on Wednesday said its new Chief Executive Officer is Richard Stanton who would be taking over from Damian Blackburn… more
Business leaders urged to adopt technology wisely
Trinidad and Tobago – Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence Minister Dominic Smith said it was essential for small-island developing states to adopt new technology speedily, to avoid being left behind in the rapidly evolving global technology sphere… more
Online scammers steal millions from CIBC Trinidad
Trinidad and Tobago – Scammers have conned the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) Caribbean’s T&T operations of millions of dollars, police confirmed yesterday… more
Thursday, 3 July 2025
CANTO 2025 to tackle AI threats, new tech, satellite internet equity
Bahamas – The Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organizations’ (CANTO) 2025 annual conference and trade exhibition will feature deep dives into artificial intelligence (AI), satellite internet equity, and hospitality powered by technology, BTC CEO Sameer Bhatti told Guardian Business yesterday… more
Digital provider pledges ‘full financial inclusion’
Bahamas – A Bahamian digital payments provider says it will shortly provide “full financial inclusion” for all islands with more than 50 persons once the necessary equipment arrives, and is installed, on Acklins… more
SunCash nears full national rollout as digital accounts surpass 85,000
Bahamas – Digital payments provider SunCash is on the verge of achieving full national coverage, promising to bring financial access to every Bahamian regardless of location. With over 85,000 accounts now active, the company is positioning itself as a critical player in closing the banking gap left by traditional institutions across the Family Islands… more
TechCayman sees increase in Indian start-ups
Cayman Islands – A promoter of hi-tech businesses says cutting-edge firms from India are already making their presence felt in Cayman and have based top-tier talent in the islands… more
Digitised Human Services databases will yield better service – minister
Guyana – One hundred and thirty thousand persons including such beneficiaries as senior citizens, persons requiring public assistance, and permanent disability recipients will soon experience an expedited service after the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security on Tuesday launched its new Management Information System – Beneficiary Registry and Document Management System (BRDMS)… more
Airbnb jitters
Jamaica – A bill to introduce sweeping changes to the regulatory framework of the tourism sector by making it mandatory, among other things, for Airbnb operators to be licensed and regulated by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), hit a snag in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, resulting in the debate being suspended indefinitely… more
AI, digital literacy on the cards for Planning Ministry
Trinidad and Tobago – THE use of artificial intelligence (AI), robust cybersecurity and enhanced digital literacy are on the agenda for the Planning and Development Ministry… more
ASYCUDA woes frustrating businesses
Trinidad and Tobago – Frustration is growing amongst the business community over the ongoing disruption to the Customs Border Control System (ASYCUDA), which is resulting in significant financial losses for them. And they are now calling for an urgent meeting with the Comptroller of Customs… more
Minister: AI a welcomed tool but shouldn’t replace workers
Trinidad and Tobago – Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence (MPAAI) Dominic Smith says artificial intelligence has immense potential to positively shape the public service… more
Friday, 4 July 2025
FTX Bahamas strikes deal for $377m claim withdrawal
Bahamas – FTX’s Bahamas liquidators have struck a deal that will result in a failed crypto bank’s administrator withdrawing a $377.419m claim against the collapsed exchange… more
SunCash expanding to every island with a population greater than 50
Bahamas – SunCash will be on every island of The Bahamas with a population greater than 50 people when it completes the installation of its equipment on Acklins in the coming weeks, one of the company’s principals and director Shawn Smith said in a press statement… more
Cyber attacks now top threat to financial service, industry leaders warn
Barbados – Financial services face their most significant threat yet from cyber attacks, industry leaders warned on Thursday, as escalating digital risks threaten to destabilise banks, credit unions and insurers… more
One Communications Guyana gets new CEO
Guyana – ATN International (ATNI) recently announced a strategic leadership transition aimed at further strengthening the company’s commitment to delivering faster, more reliable, and more responsive service to customers across all markets… more
Richard Stanton to lead One Communications Guyana
Guyana – ATN International (ATNI) recently announced a strategic leadership transition aimed at further strengthening the company’s commitment to better service to customers across all markets, a release from the company said… more
MoneyMasters goes digital, launches new investment platform
Jamaica – MONEYMASTERS Limited has joined a growing list of securities dealers in Jamaica now offering digital onboarding and self-directed trading accounts with the official launch of its new investment platform, Axia, on Wednesday at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston… more
Customs: ASYCUDA fully operational by tomorrow
Trinidad and Tobago – The Customs and Excise Division has finally reported to stakeholders that the Customs Border Control System (CBCS) or ASYCUDA, is operational, but some users may still be experiencing challenges with the clearance of their goods… more
Saturday, 5 July 2025
‘Don’t criminalise Airbnb operators’ – Golding
Jamaica – People’s National Party (PNP) President Mark Golding is expressing concern over a bill piloted by Government which he says seeks to criminalise Airbnb operators… more
Tackling cyber risks
Jamaica – Financial institutions and their regulators are worried about the major cyber attacks they are facing, often times daily… more
NCBFG empowers Jamaican SMEs for digital future
Jamaica – The NCB Financial Group on Thursday, July 3, hosted small and medium-sized (SMEs) leaders at a conference that provided insights and thought leadership on the digital tools they will need to grow and become future-ready… more
Sunday, 6 July 2025
Breaking monopolies
Jamaica – AS Jamaica stands at the threshold of reshaping its energy landscape the Government’s decision not to renew the Jamaica Public Service Company’s (JPS) all-island electricity licence in its current form has ignited a critical debate… more
Get the most out of AI chatbots with better prompts
Jamaica – If you are using ChatGPT but getting mediocre results, don’t blame the chatbot. Instead, try sharpening up your prompts… more
Images credit: Yukiko Matsuoka (flickr); Flow Jamaica (Facebook); Stabroek News; Google Play; Wikimedia Commons
