A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday, 2 February to Sunday, 8 February 2026.
Monday, 2 February 2026
Belizeans “Own BTL,” Espat Calls for Consultation
Belize – And while Minister Espat has made his opposition to the PUP Northern Caucus position clear, we also pressed him on another key issue, national consultations… more
Espat Rejects Claims BTL Merger Isn’t Monopoly
Belize – So where does Minister Julius Espat stand on the argument coming from within his own Cabinet that the BTL‑Speednet merger won’t create a monopoly? Public Utilities Minister Michel Chebat has said there are more than twenty internet providers operating in Belize, but Espat doesn’t agree… more
Julius Espat Says BTL Merger Could Help or Hurt PUP
Belize – Infrastructure Minister Julius Espat is also acknowledging the political stakes tied to the proposed BTL‑Speednet merger, saying the fallout could either work in the PUP’s favor, or seriously backfire… more
NTUCB Calls on SSB to Oppose BTL–Smart Acquisition
Belize – The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has come out strongly against Belize Telemedia Limited’s (BTL) proposed acquisition of Speednet (Smart), calling the move “hasty and ill-advised” and warning that workers’ contributions are being put at risk… more
PUP Northern Caucus Backs BTL’s Smart Acquisition
Belize – The Northern Caucus of the People’s United Party (PUP) has thrown its support behind the proposed acquisition of Speednet(SMART) by Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), even as protests and political opposition continue to grow around the deal… more
Panton Warns BTL Deal Becoming Politicized
Belize – Another political voice is now weighing in, and it’s a strong one. United Democratic Party leader Tracy Taeger‑Panton is also taking issue with the PUP Northern Caucus and its endorsement of the BTL‑Speednet acquisition… more
Tracy Panton Says BTL–Smart Acquisition is “Corruption at the Highest Level”
Belize – Leaders of the United Democratic Party (UDP) have condemned Belize Telemedia Limited’s (BTL) plan to acquire Speednet (Smart), calling it “corruption at the highest level” and a bailout for private interests… more
CANTO Connect 2026 Opens in Trinidad and Tobago with Call to Elevate the Caribbean’s Digital Competitiveness
Caribbean – CANTO Connect 2026 and the 42nd Annual General Meeting of CANTO officially opened at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain on Sunday 1 February 2026. Under the theme Elevate the Caribbean: From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness, the conference attracted over 400 registered participants from 37 countries. CANTO comprises operators, organizations, companies and individuals in the ICT and telecommunications sectors… more
Flow VP: Digital progress must yield prosperity
Caribbean – Digital progress must translate into digital prosperity, vice president and general manager of Flow Trinidad and Tobago Simone Martin-Sulgan has said… more
Ransomware report notes fourth quarter 2025 attack surge
Caribbean – The summary sentence of the GRIT Ransomware and CyberThreat report for 2026 is instructive: “Progress against ransomware and cybercrime remains consistently visible, albeit slow and largely reactive in nature.” … more
Drones tell Cayman’s story on National Heroes Day
Cayman Islands – Families lined the waterfront near George Town harbour on 26 Jan. as the Cayman Islands’ National Heroes Day celebrations concluded with a striking drone light show and fireworks display that turned the night sky into a canvas of national symbols, history and pride… more
Commissioning of technological tools at the service of education
Haiti – This Friday, January 30, 2026, Luckner Mompremier Departmental Director of Education for the North-East (DDE-NE), announced at a press conference to the educational community, the commissioning of three new technological tools : SCAPPED, SIGEEE and an Intelligent Assistance System, designed to improve school governance, strengthen transparency and optimize educational monitoring… more
Tuesday, 3 February 2026
‘Uber coming’ despite taxi union resistance
Bahamas – A BUSINESSMAN says he is bringing Uber to the country despite resounding opposition from the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union… more
BTL’s Chief Financial Officer Says Consolidation Benefits Every Belizean
Belize – After weeks of public scrutiny and street protests over the proposed consolidation of Speednet, today BTL stepped forward with its side of the story. In an exclusive briefing, the company laid out the same presentation now being shared with Cabinet, social partners, stakeholders, and shareholders… more
BTL Says Merger Could Boost Roaming Revenue
Belize – BTL says one of the biggest payoffs from consolidating Speednet would be more roaming revenue for Belize. The two major telecoms admit years of cut‑throat competition for U.S. roaming traffic have turned into a losing game, with both companies slashing rates while American carriers continue charging visitors up to five U.S. dollars a day… more
Independent Senators Urge PUC Action on Telecom Buyout
Belize – Independent senators, Kevin Herrera, Louis Wade, Glenfield Dennison, and Janelle Chanona, are once again taking a stand against Belize Telemedia Limited’s proposed acquisition of Speednet… more
PUC Confirms BTL Dominance, Separates Study from Merger Decision
Belize – Today, the Public Utilities Commission released the results of its long‑awaited public consultation on dominance in the telecommunications market, and the findings are quite clear: BTL is the dominant player… more
PUC Holds the Cards as BTL–Speednet Deal Shrinks and Retruns for Review
Belize – Tonight, the Public Utilities Commission is finally responding to questions about the proposed BTL–Speednet buyout, but they’re keeping many of the details close to the vest… more
PUC Warns: BTL Can’t Sign Before Approval
Belize – So just how far can BTL go with this proposed merger before crossing the line? According to Legal Counsel Stacy Grinage, the Telecommunications Act would be violated if any agreement is signed before PUC approval is granted… more
Senators Urge Social Security Board to Take a Stance on BTL
Belize – Independent senators are now widening their focus in the ongoing Speednet–Telemedia controversy, this time turning their attention to the Social Security Board… more
Wade Warns Telecom Deal Could Leave Consumers Exposed
Belize – The Public Utilities Commission remains under the microscope tonight, facing fresh criticism over how it’s handling Belize Telemedia Limited’s proposed takeover of Speednet. Independent senators are warning that the deal could tie the regulator’s hands and undermine its responsibilities under the Belize Telecommunications Act… more
Liberty Caribbean commits to ‘elevating region’ at CANTO
Caribbean – Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting… more
Biometrics to be introduced in schools to strengthen accountability
Guyana – The Ministry of Education will soon begin implementing a biometric attendance system in some schools to accurately record the arrival and departure times of teachers. The system is aimed at strengthening accountability at public learning institutions… more
U.S.-based Sociologix plans AI ride-sharing and delivery super-app for Guyana
Guyana – United States-based technology firm Sociologix says it is building RIYDE, an AI-driven ride-sharing and on-demand delivery platform for Guyana, positioning it as a full-feature “super-app” designed to improve mobility access, expand last-mile commerce, reduce transportation emissions, and direct a portion of proceeds toward rainforest protection… more
Digicel appoints Tony Bates and Michael Leitner to its board of directors
Jamaica – Digicel today announced the appointment of Tony Bates and Michael Leitner to its board of directors… more
Government Signs Letter of Intent to Strengthen Country’s Digital Infrastructure
Jamaica – The Government has signed a letter of intent with Trans Americas Fiber System for the Subsea Cable Project, which aims to strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure… more
Wednesday, 4 February 2026
BTC parent’s chief says: Turn connectivity into our prosperity
Bahamas – The head of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) immediate parent company has called for regional leaders to team with regulators and the private sector to convert improved connectivity into tangible, measurable prosperity for the Caribbean… more
Cyber threat alert for Bahamas energy grid
Bahamas – FOCOL Holdings’ top executive last night warned of the cyber threats facing The Bahamas’ energy grid and electricity infrastructure as they become increasingly digitised… more
IT staff protest outside OPM over outstanding unresolved promotions and regularisations
Bahamas – STAFF of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) yesterday staged a protest outside the Office of the Prime Minister over outstanding promotions and regularisations… more
Flow continues to make it easy to access devices
Barbados – Flow Barbados is continuing to drive digital access with its Handset Instalment Programme, an initiative designed to make owning the latest mobile devices more affordable and more convenient for customers… more
A Telecom Tug‑of‑War: The Battle Over BTL and Speednet
Belize – In a country where staying connected has never mattered more, a bold business move is raising serious concerns. Belize Telemedia Limited, already the heavyweight in the telecom industry, wants to buy out its rival, Speednet… more
Price Caps or Regulation? PUC Explains
Belize – There’s been growing talk in recent weeks about a new statutory instrument aimed at capping telecom prices and protecting consumers, but is it really needed? … more
PUC Says BTL Not Monopoly Across Market
Belize – As we mentioned earlier, the Public Utilities Commission’s early findings show that BTL already holds the strongest position in the telecom market. So, the big question now is this, if BTL is allowed to buy Speednet, does that turn the company into a full‑blown monopoly? … more
Senators Says no Questions Answered in BTL Acquisition
Belize – Though organized separately, the opposition and the unions echoed the same concerns over transparency and accountability. And while Belize’s independent senators weren’t on the ground today, their voices were still part of the chorus, raising fresh objections during a press conference… more
Businesses greet government’s ‘eID’ card with cautious optimism
Cayman Islands – After years of discussion, Cayman’s ID card is a reality. On 23 Jan., the government launched ‘My eID’, a physical identity card with digital features… more
Digitalization needed of ministries’ records
Guyana – Dear Editor, I write as a former educator who taught in the public sector for 7 years under the Ministry of Education, a ministry that manages a high volume of administrative and operational records… more
AuGD: 121 of 200 Starlink devices unused several weeks after acquisition
Jamaica – Auditor General Pamela Monroe Ellis is reporting that of the 200 Starlink devices delivered to the Office of the Commissioner of Police, only 120 were distributed to 17 entities, while the remaining 80 were on site and not in use on January 6, 2026, when a site inspection was done… more
Cyber Crimes Act amendments clear House
Jamaica – The Government has moved to reassure Parliament that amendments to the Cyber Crimes Act will strengthen protections against online abuse, even as the Opposition warned that vague language in the bill could weaken safeguards for victims of non-consensual sharing of intimate images… more
EduFocal narrows losses after deep restructuring, but balance-sheet strain and reporting delays persist
Jamaica – AFTER several years marked by heavy losses, expansion missteps and volatile revenues, EduFocal Limited says it is beginning to see the results of a sweeping restructuring effort… more
Jamaica makes plans to connect to TAM-1 subsea cable
Jamaica – The Jamaican government said on Tuesday it has signed a letter of intent with Trans Americas Fiber System to connect the island to the TAM-1 subsea cable… more
STARLINK RED FLAG
Jamaica – Auditor General Pamela Monroe Ellis has flagged as a breach of procurement rules actions taken by senior Cabinet minister Daryl Vaz in relation to the purchase of 200 Starlink devices valued at $12.12 million… more
Church giving goes digital
Trinidad and Tobago – The Archdiocese of Port of Spain has launched a pilot project introducing EndCash, a secure digital payment option that allows faithful to make parish contributions using their mobile phones… more
Thursday, 5 February 2026
Smith: Fast payment system will add jet fuel to Sand Dollar
Bahamas – Shawn Smith, business development manager for digital payments provider SunCash, told Guardian Business yesterday that the Central Bank’s fast payment system, which will enable the real-time, 24/7 transfer of funds and immediate availability for recipients, will increase financial inclusion by adding “jet fuel” to the adoption and use of the Sand Dollar digital currency… more
BTL Calls Starlink a Complementary Service
Belize – And as debate continues over BTL’s proposed purchase of Speednet, questions are also being raised about how the company plans to compete in a rapidly changing digital landscape… more
Former BTL Employees Say 175 Still Await Severance Pay
Belize – The Belize Communication Workers for Justice (BCWJ) staged their third day of protest today, demanding severance payments they say have been withheld for decades by Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL)… more
Former BTL Workers Ramp Up Pressure for Severance
Belize – Former employees demanding long‑awaited severance pay are once again turning up the pressure on Belize Telemedia Limited… more
Former BTL Workers Stage Six-Day Protest Over Unpaid Severance
Belize – Members of the Belize Communications Workers for Justice (BCWJ), comprised of former Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) employees, launched a six-day protest outside the company’s headquarters on St. Thomas Street in Belize City beginning January 30, 2026… more
SSB Board Requests More Information Before Speednet Vote
Belize – A key decision on BTL’s proposed purchase of Speednet remains on hold tonight. After relocating their meeting from Belize City to Belmopan to avoid protests by UDP supporters on Wednesday, Social Security Board directors sat down to review the proposed acquisition, one that’s stirred concern among workers and contributors alike… more
SSB Puts BTL-SMART Decision on Hold
Belize – The Social Security Board has again deferred a decision on Belize Telemedia Limited’s proposed acquisition of Speednet. SSB Board members have cited the need for more information before making a final decision… more
Workers’ Severance Fight Now Also About Protest Rights
Belize – And while former BTL workers keep up the pressure for long‑awaited severance pay, they now say their right to protest is also being challenged… more
Liberty Caribbean Links Connectivity to Jobs, Innovation
Caribbean – Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, used its platform as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 to set an optimistic, action-oriented agenda to convert connectivity into measurable jobs, public services and export-ready regional innovation… more
‘Translate Connectivity into Prosperity’—Liberty Caribbean
Caribbean – Leading telecommunications provider Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, has issued a compelling call to regional leaders, regulators and industry partners to translate connectivity into tangible, measurable prosperity for the Caribbean… more
Second potential bidder declares for Cayman’s subsea cable
Cayman Islands – Liberty Networks has told the Compass that it will bid to partner with the government on the jurisdiction’s third underwater data connection… more
CARICOM IMPACS program equips local law enforcement officers to develop digital training material
Dominica – Eighteen law enforcement professionals from the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF), Immigration and Customs departments have completed specialised CBSI Connect Content Contributor Training, delivered by The Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security… more
Govt launches AI Academy
Trinidad and Tobago – The Ministry of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence has officially launched an AI Academy, a six-month pilot programme designed to strengthen artificial intelligence (AI) competencies across T&T’s public service… more
Friday, 6 February 2026
AI, digital economy innovation fellowships to catalyse solutions for future growth
Barbados – Supernova Lab, which serves as the National Research and Development Programme under the Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Science and Technology (MIST) continues its rolling Innovation Fellowships programme with two more streams: the Local AI Systems Fellowship and the Digital Economy Fellowship… more
BCCI: BTL Meeting Fails to Address Key Concerns on Speednet Acquisition
Belize – The Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) has restated its concerns following a meeting with Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) about the company’s proposed acquisition of Speednet/SMART… more
BCCI Reiterates Firm Rejection of BTL Acquisition
Belize – The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has reaffirmed its opposition to Belize Telemedia Limited’s proposed acquisition of Speednet, warning that the deal poses serious legal, policy, and economic risks… more
Belize Business Bureau Urges PUC Oversight in BTL Merger
Belize – While the Belize Business Bureau is backing BTL’s proposed takeover of Speednet, it says that support comes with conditions. Beyond profits and sustainability, the Bureau is now turning its focus to consumer protection, calling for stronger regulation to ensure prices remain fair if the merger goes through… more
BPO sector highlighted as key driver of jobs and digital exports at business mixer
Belize – On February 5, 2026, the Economic Development Council (EDC), Office of the Prime Minister, in collaboration with the Belize Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Association and the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, hosted a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Business Mixer… more
Government Hits Pause on BTL–Speednet Talks
Belize – A pause, but not a full stop, on the controversial BTL and Speednet acquisition. Prime Minister John Briceño has now instructed that discussions on the proposed deal be put on hold, as questions and concerns continue to swirl… more
How Will a Telecommunications Monopoly Affect Students?
Belize – The National Students’ Union of Belize (NSUB) is strongly opposing Belize Telemedia Limited’s proposed acquisition of Speednet/SMART, warning that the deal could create a monopoly that harms young people… more
Is “Emotion” Clouding Public Debate on BTL-SMART Deal?
Belize – The Belize Business Bureau (BBB) has thrown its support behind Belize Telemedia Limited’s $80 million proposed acquisition of Speednet/SMART. The BBB argues that the deal is critical to the long-term sustainability of the country’s telecom sector… more
PM Instructs Pause on BTL-Smart Acquisition
Belize – A pause has been put on discussions over the proposed acquisition of SpeedNet (SMART) by Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL)… more
PM Says BTL Acquisition Boosts Underserved Areas
Belize – Well, the debate over BTL’s proposed acquisition is heating up, especially after the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry moved to oppose the deal. But Prime Minister John Briceño isn’t backing down… more
Strengthening Cloud Defense: The Shared Responsibility Model
Caribbean – Deciding to migrate to the cloud is a big step forward for businesses. For most organizations, the benefits are obvious – they get the ability to scale their resources whenever they need while keeping their operations more agile to stay competitive… more
Butterfield launches digital account opening amid growing fintech competition
Cayman Islands – Cayman residents can now open a Butterfield account online without having to visit a branch or submit physical documents. Using the digital application form on the bank’s website, residents can apply for chequing, savings, fixed-term deposit or Supersaver accounts… more
Stablecoins aren’t exciting and that’s why they matter
Cayman Islands – If you follow financial headlines, you could be forgiven for thinking that digital assets are defined by hype, speculation and dramatic price swings. Bitcoin rallies, crypto crashes and bold predictions about the future of money tend to dominate the conversation… more
Flow Maintenance Takes Longer Than Planned as System Upgrade Nears Completion
Curaçao – Large-scale maintenance work on the system of telecommunications provider Flow has taken longer than initially scheduled. The company confirmed the delay in a press release issued this week… more
Saturday, 7 February 2026
Belize Telemedia Limited confirms compliance with court rulings regarding severance payments
Belize – Today, Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) issued a statement confirming that following the Caribbean Court of Justice’s November 5, 2025 judgment in Erven Marin Et al v Belize Telemedia Limited regarding severance payments, the company commenced the processing and payment of all eligible claims without delay… more
Belize Telemedia Limited’s update on severance payments
Belize – Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) confirms that, following the Caribbean Court of Justice’s November 5, 2025 judgment in Erven Marin Et al v Belize Telemedia Limited regarding severance payments, the company commenced the processing and payment of all eligible claims without delay… more
Artificial Stupidity
Caribbean – The advent of the information superhighway, the internet, brought with it much hope with all that you need literally at your fingertips. The internet, with all its upgrades, has certainly made life easier and in some cases a bit more fun… more
Proposed legislation bolsters Cayman’s tokenised funds offer
Cayman Islands – The government has published amendments to three pieces of existing legislation in a bid to boost Cayman’s status as an emerging leader in tokenised funds… more
Sunday, 8 February 2026
Digicel data leak sparks privacy concerns
Barbados – Digicel Barbados has confirmed a data breach that saw personal customer information inadvertently shared externally, prompting concerns about privacy and the potential misuse of sensitive data during what appears to be an active political campaign season… more
The ECT Act – Intermediary liability and dealing with unlawful or defamatory information
Guyana – The Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 2023 (the ECT Act) contains provisions that regulate the civil and criminal liability of intermediaries that provide conduits to support electronic communications and transactions in Guyana (section 58)… more
Images credit: Bank Phrom (Unsplash); CANTO (Facebook); Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikimedia Commons; Sand Dollar (X); CARICOM IMPACS; Smart Belize (Facebook); Wikipedia
