A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday, 15 June to Sunday, 21 June 2026.

 

Monday, 15 June 2026

BTC rolls out innovative mobile subscription packages that include rollover data

Bahamas – BTC has rolled out what it describes as the most comprehensive suite of unlimited mobile plans ever offered in The Bahamas, introducing features commonly found with major North American carriers, including unlimited social media access, dedicated hotspot allowances, and rollover data… more

BiMPay moves nearly $8m in first weekend despite early issues

Bahamas – New national instant payment system BiMPay is “working well”, as nearly $8m passed through more than 20 000 transactions in two days of operations despite some users experiencing registration challenges, said Central Bank of Barbados Governor Dr Kevin Greenidge… more

Cat Island, Exuma, and Andros next on BTC’s expansion plans

Bahamas – THE Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) plans to expand its BTC Air fixed wireless broadband service to Cat Island, parts of Exuma, and Andros as the telecommunications provider pushes ahead with efforts to improve internet connectivity across the Family Islands… more

Three new mobile plans rolled out by BTC

Bahamas – THE Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) has rolled out three new mobile plans that it says are designed to address long-standing customer concerns over bill predictability, data usage and flexibility, as the telecommunications provider seeks to strengthen its competitive position in the local market… more

Bajans mixed on BiMPay as opinions shape early response

Barbados – Just days after BiMPay officially went live, Barbadians are already divided over whether the island’s newest digital payment platform is the future of doing business or another service they still need to understand… more

Governor: BiMPay transactions will remain free

Barbados – Barbados will not transition to a cashless economy, the Central Bank governor said on Monday, moving to reassure the public even as digital payment systems rapidly reshape how people and businesses conduct transactions… more

Future Caribbean launches $140K AI ‘buildathon’ to spur innovation

Caribbean – Future Caribbean has launched a global US$70 000 ($140 000) agentic AI ‘buildathon’ aimed at helping to create the next generation of Caribbean-born technology companies… more

Online passport application system to be launched today

Guyana – Guyana’s immigration services are set to enter a new digital era with the launch of the country’s online passport application and appointment system on June 15, 2026… more

University of the Commonwealth Caribbean to build the Caribbean’s first university smart city.

Jamaica – The University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC) today announced the development of EcoVista, a 283-acre smart city in Trelawny, Jamaica, designed to become the Caribbean’s first university smart city… more

 

Tuesday, 16 June 2026

AI concerns could lead to end of CXC SBAs, Education official says

Antigua and Barbuda – The long-standing School-Based Assessment (SBA) component of Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) examinations could soon be discontinued amid growing concerns about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by students, according to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Zahnela Claxton… more

Government advances digital economy push with national ID, AI law and skills drive

Bahamas – The government is looking to position The Bahamas for the digital economy through a national digital ID system, artificial intelligence legislation and a broad AI skills training initiative, with Minister of Innovation and National Development Sebas Bastian noting that innovation will be critical to boosting productivity, economic growth and opportunities for Bahamians… more

Still mum on BiMPay cost

Barbados – Questions about the cost of Barbados’ new BiMPay platform remain unanswered after Central Bank Governor Dr The Most Honourable Kevin Greenidge again declined yesterday to disclose the price of the project, despite repeated public interest in how much was spent developing the system… more

MCC grant to support second submarine power cable for Ambergris Caye

Belize – A US$40 million grant has been approved through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) to significantly strengthen electricity generation and distribution in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) welcomed the funding, which will assist the company with its project to install a second submarine power cable connecting the island to the national grid. BEL noted that San Pedro’s electricity demand continues to rise as the country’s premier tourism destination expands… more

Ministry of Health installs digital display kiosks at points of entry

Belize – Today, the Ministry of Health and Wellness through the Regional Malaria Elimination Initiative (RMEI) project, is installing digital display kiosks at all points of entry… more

Erwin Jay Saunders champions digital resilience for the Caribbean at high level Belize workshop

Guyana – E. Jay Saunders, Minister of Innovation, Technology and Energy, represented the Turks and Caicos Islands at the Regional Workshop on Strengthening Digital Resilience, held in Belize City, Belize, from June 2–3, 2026… more

Stakeholders in Guyana Divided on Social Media Restrictions For Children

Guyana – Communication professionals, influencers and content creators in Guyana have expressed differing views on whether children should face age-based restrictions on access to social media, as the government continues consultations on developing a national approach to online safety… more

Schools Being Equipped with Technology to Ensure Learning Continues During Natural Disasters

Jamaica – The Government is accelerating investments in technology and digital infrastructure to ensure that learning can continue during natural disasters and other disruptions… more

AI concerns could lead to end of CXC SBAs, Education official says

Saint Kitts and Nevis – The long-standing School-Based Assessment (SBA) component of Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) examinations could soon be discontinued amid growing concerns about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by students, according to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Zahnela Claxton… more

Forum urges action on energy and AI

Trinidad and Tobago – Trinidad and Tobago must secure its natural gas future while embracing technology and innovation if it is to unlock its next phase of economic growth… more

 

Wednesday, 17 June 2026

Government toughens legislation dealing with cybercrime

Antigua and Barbuda – The Antigua and Barbuda Parliament has given the green light to legislation allowing for fines as high as one million EC dollars (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) for anyone or a company convicted on charges of failing to provide electronic information requested by law enforcement during criminal investigations… more

Starlink Has Not Yet Been Approved for Curaçao, Regulator Clarifies

Curaçao – The Regulatory Authority Curaçao (RAC) has emphasized that no final decision has been made regarding Starlink’s application to provide commercial internet services on the island, responding to recent reports and speculation suggesting that approval of the satellite internet provider is already a certainty… more

Digital Solutions making home ownership more accessible for Diaspora Jamaicans

Jamaica – Advances in technology are reducing barriers that previously made it challenging for Jamaicans living overseas to access mortgage financing in Jamaica according to Dave Hanson, senior manager and chief product officer, mortgages, JN Bank… more

USF Restores Westmoreland’s 19 Wi-Fi Sites

Jamaica – Residents across Westmoreland are once again benefiting from free public internet access, following the restoration and upgrade of the 19 Wi-Fi sites by the Universal Service Fund (USF) in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa… more

 

Thursday, 18 June 2026

Realtor highlights benefits of real estate asset tokenization

Bahamas – Rosalyn Brown, of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Bahamas, said real estate asset tokenization has rapidly evolved from a niche concept into a multibillion-dollar global industry, creating opportunities for jurisdictions that can combine strong property markets with supportive digital asset regulations… more

DEH launches online payments as better option

Cayman Islands – The Department of Environmental Health will be launching a new online payment portal for garbage fees on Monday, 22 June, accessible via the DEH webpage. The new portal requires customers to pay with a debit or credit card. The department said it will still accept payments via bank transfer, but that manually tracking those payments presents challenges… more

‘Embrace digital Guyana and leave long lines behind’ – Ashni Singh to Berbicians

Guyana – Residents of Region Six are being urged to embrace Guyana’s digital transformation as the government expands online services and opens new facilities designed to make everyday transactions faster and more convenient… more

Government Workers to Receive Mandatory Training in AI

Jamaica – Government workers are to receive mandatory training in artificial intelligence (AI) as part of efforts to improve public-sector efficiency and modernise service delivery… more

Federal Government Nears Launch of Digital ID and Civil Registry Systems

Saint Kitts and Nevis – On Tuesday June 16th, 2026, the Federal Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Energy & Utilities; Domestic Transport; Information, Communication & Technology; and Post held a Progress Report Media Briefing. Mr. Nigel Carty, Advisor and Chief Digital Transformation Officer in the Digital Transformation Unit, highlighted advances in the Electronic Civil Registry System (ECRS) and the Electronic Identification (eID) programm… more

How AI may change small businesses in T&T

Trinidad and Tobago – Artificial Intelligence, more commonly called AI, has become one of the most discussed technologies in the world today. While many people associate AI with robots, futuristic machines, or large international companies, the reality is that AI is already quietly entering everyday life and business operations, including here in T&T… more

T&T businesses unprepared for AI era

Trinidad and Tobago – Here is something worth sitting with. The internet has been commercially available in Trinidad and Tobago for roughly thirty years. And many local businesses still do not have a working website… more

 

Friday, 19 June 2026

Smith: Systems in place at SunCash to facilitate payments in the event of a hurricane

Bahamas – SunCash is looking ahead to the hurricane season and putting in place infrastructure in the event a major storm affects the movement of physical currency… more

Central bank distances new instant payment platform from problems regarding salary payments

Barbados – The Central Bank of Barbados (CBB) Friday said it is aware of concerns from some employees who have not received their salaries on time and who have associated those delays with the newly launched national instant payment platform, BiMPay… more

Digicel flags regulatory concerns over SpaceX’s global 5G cellular ambitions 

Caribbean – Digicel Group has raised concerns about regulatory parity as SpaceX moves ahead with plans to deliver 5G connectivity directly to unmodified cell phones — a development that comes as Starlink’s satellite internet service already operates in Jamaica… more

AI THREATENS 60,000 JOBS

Jamaica – WOMEN could be among those hardest hit by artificial intelligence (AI)-driven job disruption in Jamaica, while workers who can effectively use the technology are expected to have the strongest employment prospects… more

Gov’t Digital Push to Benefit Jamaicans Overseas

Jamaica – Improving the ease with which Jamaicans overseas can access services and conduct business with their homeland is a key objective of the Government’s digital transformation efforts… more

GEBE warns of deepening financial crisis as non-payment and hack fallout continue.

Sint Maarten – Four years after the cyberattack that crippled GEBE’s billing and customer management systems, the utility company says it is still struggling to recover while facing mounting financial pressure from unpaid bills, unmatched customer payments, and declining collections… more

 

Saturday, 20 June 2026

BiMPay payday hiccup traced to account data errors, Central Bank says

Barbados – Delays in salary payments affecting some workers were caused by incorrectly formatted account details submitted by employers, not faults in the new BiMPay system, the Central Bank of Barbados has said… more

Seiveright warns public about fraudulent AI-generated scam video

Jamaica – Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Delano Seiveright, MP, is warning the public about a fraudulent video currently circulating on social media which unlawfully uses his image and a manipulated voice generated through artificial intelligence (AI) technology… more

 

Sunday, 21 June 2026

Future Caribbean launches global agentic AI buildathon

Caribbean – A major new technology initiative, Future Caribbean, has officially launched a global buildathon aimed at catalyzing the next generation of Caribbean-born technology companies… more

 

 

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