A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday, 10 August to Sunday, 16 August 2026.
Monday, 10 August 2026
BTC parent’s chief: Innovation must flow from digital progress
Bahamas – The head of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) immediate parent says the Caribbean has reached a critical moment in its digital progress and must now translate advances in connectivity into greater innovation, productivity and global competitiveness… more
BTL Workers Push Back Against SMART Deal
Belize – Belize Telemedia Limited’s proposed acquisition of SMART is facing growing resistance from the very workers the company says it aims to benefit… more
Could BTL Deal Threaten Press Freedom?
Belize – The BTL-Speednet deal is being sold as a telecom acquisition, but media owners say it could have serious consequences for press freedom… more
Did BTL Board of Directors Have the Full Picture?
Belize – The BTL acquisition vote is still stirring political debate, and today Union Senator Glenfield Dennison added his voice to the controversy… more
Government health insurance gets a digital upgrade
Cayman Islands – The Segregated Insurance Fund – a health fund for disadvantaged Caymanians – switched to an online reporting system that the government hopes will increase efficiency… more
CX Pay Introduces New Brand Identity After Ten Years of Growth
Curaçao – CX Pay, the payments partner for merchants across Latin America and the Caribbean, announced a new brand… more
Guardsman’s AI solutions take hotel security to new levels
Jamaica – Tourism is a major earner of foreign exchange and a key pillar of both the Jamaican and Caribbean economies… more
Sint Maarten Makes AI in Education a top priority — But National Policy delayed until 2027.
Sint Maarten – Government has identified artificial intelligence as one of Sint Maarten’s major education priorities, but its own responses to Parliament show that the National Artificial Intelligence in Education Policy has suffered delays and is not expected to reach the mature-draft stage until the second quarter of 2027… more
Tuesday, 11 August 2026
Digital wallet screening to put Bahamas ‘in step’ with world
Bahamas – THE SECURITIES Commission’s top executive yesterday said the proposed “screening” of licensees’ digital asset wallets will bring The Bahamas’ “in step with global best practice” and ensure they are being used properly… more
BTL Chairman Pressed on Public Consultation
Belize – If Belizeans are the true owners of BTL, how much say did they really have before the board voted on the proposed Speednet acquisition? … more
BTL Chairman Says Anti-acquisition Critics Are Crying Wolf
Belize – BTL Chairman Mark Lizarraga is telling Belizeans there is no reason to panic over the proposed merger. He says the deal is about making the company more efficient, increasing revenue, and ultimately delivering greater value to its stakeholders, the Belizean people… more
Cabinet Hears Directly from BTL, PUC, and SSB on Speednet Deal
Belize – The proposed BTL/Speednet acquisition moved into the Cabinet room today, as ministers heard directly from key players involved in the controversial deal… more
Cabinet receives presentations from Acquisition Stakeholders
Belize – The Government of Belize noted that as part of the process to determine its position on the proposed acquisition of Smart/Speednet Communications Ltd. by Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), Cabinet invited stakeholders to make presentations on the proposed acquisition… more
Media Owners Challenge BTL/Speednet Acquisition
Belize – Media owners are now joining social partners in challenging the proposed BTL/Speednet acquisition, warning that the merger could have serious implications for press freedom… more
Monopoly Fears Surround Speednet Acquisition
Belize – One of the biggest questions hanging over the proposed BTL/Speednet consolidation is whether it would create a telecom monopoly in Belize… more
PM Speaks on BTL After Marathon Cabinet Session
Belize – With questions swirling around the controversial deal, today’s marathon meeting gave decision-makers a chance to hear directly from the key players… more
Serious Valuation Doubts Hang Over Speednet Deal
Belize – How much is Speednet really worth, and has BTL seen enough financial information to know? That remains one of the biggest concerns surrounding the proposed acquisition… more
Social Partners insist all four groups be included in Cabinet talks on BTL-Smart deal
Belize – Belize’s Social Partners say they are prepared to engage with the Government over the proposed acquisition of Speednet Communications Limited, operator of Smart, by Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), but are insisting that all four partner organizations be included in the discussions… more
‘Digital Economy Will Be Shaped by People’ – Liberty Caribbean
Caribbean – A focus on collaboration, innovation and investment to accelerate the Caribbean’s digital transformation will feature prominently as government leaders, regulators, policymakers, technology innovators and telecommunications providers gather for CANTO’s 41st Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana… more
Digitisation alone is not transformation, says Flow executive
Caribbean – Caribbean businesses must stop confusing the adoption of new technology with digital transformation and focus instead on whether technology is solving real problems, improving lives and strengthening economic competitiveness… more
MediaLab Curaçao Launches Free Digital Safety Workshops for Primary School Students
Curaçao – MediaLab Curaçao will launch free digital safety workshops for students in groups 6, 7 and 8 of primary education during the new school year, helping children learn how to navigate the online world safely, critically and responsibly… more
800-TECH puts cybersecurity at centre of growth strategy
Trinidad and Tobago – For 800-TECH Ltd managing director Scofield Thomas, cybersecurity is no longer simply an IT (information technology) issue. It is a business continuity and leadership issue… more
stack, data centres in the stack, and value-added
Trinidad and Tobago – MUCH has been said in the press about the pros and cons of establishing a data centre in Trinidad, so I will move on from that while reiterating my concerns about the environmental impact from emissions of fine particles and carcinogenic fumes, and the low value-added it will accrue… more
Wednesday, 12 August 2026
Bahamas to ‘accelerate’ digital Gov’t with Estonia partnership
Bahamas – The Bahamas will seek to leverage Estonia’s “model for e-governance” to “accelerate” its own roll-out of digitised public services, a Cabinet minister has affirmed… more
BTC outages disrupt southern Bahamas
Bahamas – PROLONGED Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) outages across several southern islands disrupted economic activity over the weekend, with residents stressing they were unable to work online, operate digital businesses or access services while still paying for data and connectivity… more
BTC parent’s chief: Innovation must flow from digital progress
Bahamas – The head of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) immediate parent says the Caribbean has reached a critical moment in its digital progress and must now translate advances in connectivity into greater innovation, productivity and global competitiveness… more
BlackOutBTL: Trade Unions Begin Fight Against Acquisition
Belize – Workers and concerned Belizeans are being asked to wear black this Friday as the National Trade Union Congress of Belize launches the first phase of its opposition to the proposed acquisition of Speednet by Belize Telemedia Limited… more
Cabinet Hears BTL, PUC and SSB, But Wants More
Belize – Cabinet has heard the arguments, but it is not ready to call the shot just yet. Minister of Public Utilities Michel Chebat says ministers are expected to take a position next Tuesday on BTL’s proposed acquisition… more
Can BTL Afford the $80 Million Speednet Deal?
Belize – Eighty million dollars is a hefty price tag, and that is now one of the biggest questions in the BTL-Speednet debate. Can BTL afford it? … more
Chairman Lizarraga Faces Integrity Questions Over Speednet Deal
Belize – BTL Chairman Markhelm Lizarraga, a former senator, is no stranger to calling for transparency and accountability… more
Could BTL’s Speednet Acquisition Mean Savings for Customers?
Belize – The debate over BTL’s proposed acquisition of Speednet has been loud, and for good reason… more
Halo BPO offers weekly pay and commission in latest work from home sales drive
Belize – Halo BPO is continuing its recruitment of work from home sales agents across Belize, and the structure of the offer says as much about where remote work is heading as the pay itself… more
Independent Senators to BTL: Don’t Say We Were Invited
Belize – A major telecom deal is on the table, but four independent senators say they are still waiting for the basic courtesy of being brought into the conversation… more
‘It Wasn’t Me’ – Senate President breaks silence: BTL request was for entire Senate, not independent Senators; Briefing was never scheduled
Belize – President of the Senate Carolyn Trench Sandiford has broken her silence on the controversy surrounding Belize Telemedia Limited’s request to brief Senators on its proposed acquisition of Speednet Communications Limited, confirming that the request was made to address the Senate as a whole and was never specifically directed to the independent Senators, though the request was never scheduled… more
Understanding the Speednet deal in plain language, before Cabinet decides on Tuesday
Belize – Next Tuesday, August 18, Cabinet will announce where the Government of Belize stands on the biggest business transaction in this country in years. Yesterday, BTL, the Public Utilities Commission, and the Social Security Board made their presentations behind closed doors in Belmopan. On Thursday, the Chamber of Commerce and the unions get their turn. Then the ministers decide… more
Cooper Calls for Greater Caribbean Telecom Integration at CANTO 2026
Caribbean – Curaçao Minister Charles Cooper has called for stronger telecommunications integration across the Caribbean, arguing that differences in national regulations should not become unnecessary barriers to regional connectivity… more
Liberty Caribbean CEO Calls for Stronger Regional Cooperation to Drive Digital Growth
Caribbean – Liberty Caribbean CEO Inge Smidts has called for closer cooperation among Caribbean governments, regulators, telecommunications providers and technology companies as the region undergoes a period of rapid digital and technological transformation… more
Government advancing plans for under-16 social media restrictions
Cayman Islands – Cayman’s government will begin formal work next month on how to turn a proposed social media ban for children under 16 into law, with officials acknowledging that some of the biggest questions, including how such a restriction could be enforced, still remain unanswered… more
Grenada’s AI push needs a sunset test
Grenada – Grenada is moving quickly from talking about digital transformation to building it… more
Byles accepts blame for JAM-DEX’s slow take-up
Jamaica – FOR every $1,000 in currency issued by Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) at the end of June, less than $1 was in JAM-DEX, underscoring the digital dollar’s limited reach as outgoing Governor Richard Byles accepts that the central bank mishandled parts of its roll-out… more
Flow Jamaica revenue dips to US$101 million as hurricane recovery continues
Jamaica – Telecom provider Flow Jamaica generated US$101 million in revenue during the second quarter of 2026, down from US$104 million a year earlier, as the Liberty Latin America subsidiary continues to rebuild its network and customer base following Hurricane Melissa… more
Thursday, 13 August 2026
Digital literacy not optional in fight to stay competitive
Bahamas – Once upon a time, dealing with technology was something a business owner delegated to the IT (information technology) department or the nephew who was good with computers… more
Gov’t to invest $3m into AI skills training
Bahamas – THE GOVERNMENT is preparing to spend $3m from an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) loan on technology and artificial intelligence (AI) training as it seeks to prepare Bahamians for jobs emerging from the digital economy… more
Sebas: Bahamas cautious on ‘monstrous’ AI data centres
Bahamas – THE BAHAMAS is taking a cautious approach to attracting data centres due to the demands they will impose on already-strained electricity, water and other infrastructure resources, a Cabinet minister said last night… more
Mobile app development debuts at WorldSkills Juniors camp
Barbados – Barbados’ WorldSkills Juniors Future Skills Camp has introduced mobile application development for the first time, giving young participants the opportunity to design and build their own applications while developing skills for careers in the digital economy… more
Youth discount drive launched with plan for permanent digital card
Barbados – Barbadian youth received a new financial boost on International Youth Day as the Barbados Youth Development Council (BYDC) launched the island’s first National Youth Discounts Day and announced plans for a permanent digital youth discount card that would allow young people to access savings year-round… more
“$80 Million Deserves Answers”: BCWJ Tells BTL to Show Its Math
Belize – A new pressure group has entered the fight over BTL’s proposed $80 million acquisition of Speednet/Smart… more
146 Former BTL Workers Take Severance Fight to Court
Belize – The battle over severance pay at BTL is heading back to court. One hundred and forty-six former employees have joined forces and retained an attorney from Trinidad and Tobago to pursue what they say is fair compensation… more
Belize Communications Workers for Justice reiterates stance on BTL- Smart acquisition; calls on BTL to address unresolved obligations to former workers
Belize – The Belize Communications Workers for Justice (BCWJ) is reiterating its opposition to Belize Telemedia Limited’s (BTL) proposed $80 million acquisition of Speednet Communications Limited (SMART)… more
BNTU Joins Union Protest Against BTL/Speednet Deal
Belize – The Belize National Teachers Union is getting ready to join the wider labor movement in the streets next Tuesday… more
BTL-Speednet Acquisition Fails to Win Cabinet Support
Belize – Just before news time, Cabinet dropped a major decision on one of the most debated corporate deals in the country: it does not support BTL’s proposed acquisition of Speednet… more
Cabinet pulls plug on BTL-SMART deal five days before Cabinet vote during planned protests
Belize – In a major and unexpectedly early turn in the weeks-long controversy over Belize Telemedia Limited’s proposed $80 million acquisition of SMART/Speednet, Cabinet announced Thursday that it does not support the transaction — five days before the date Government had previously set to deliberate and announce its position… more
Cabinet rejects the Speednet acquisition
Belize – The deal that dominated national dialogue for weeks is dead. Cabinet announced on Thursday, August 13, 2026, that it does not support the proposed acquisition of SMART/Speednet by Belize Telemedia Limited, effectively ending the takeover, and the decision landed one day before the unions’ planned wear-black protest and five days ahead of the demonstration set for Cabinet’s own doorstep… more
Daly Cannot Give Constituents Answers on BTL Deal
Belize – The proposed BTL-Speednet deal is no longer just a corporate transaction. It has become a national conversation, and residents in Collet want to know how it could affect them… more
Former BTL workers demand proof behind $80 Million Speednet deal, raise unresolved severance claims
Belize – The Belize Communications Workers for Justice (BCWJ) has renewed its opposition to Belize Telemedia Limited’s proposed $80 million acquisition of Speednet Communications Limited, operator of SMART, calling on BTL to disclose the evidence supporting the transaction and account for unresolved obligations to former employees… more
The Green Machine is Activating Against Proposed BTL-SMART Acquisition
Belize – The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) is throwing its full support behind next Tuesday’s planned demonstration against BTL’s proposed acquisition of Speednet (SMART). BNTU’s President Nadia Caliz has urged teachers to take to the streets and make their discontent heard… more
Trust Issues Cloud BTL-Speednet Acquisition
Belize – The proposed BTL-Speednet acquisition was also facing pushback from another corner, former BTL workers who say Belizeans deserve more than assurances that the deal is good for the country… more
Will Public Pressure Influence Cabinet’s Vote on SMART Acquisition?
Belize – Cabinet still has made up its mind on BTL’s proposed acquisition. Earlier today, Cabinet Minister Orlando Habet said ministers needed more time and more information before they make a final decision on the controversial deal… more
450 respond to Agentic AI buildathon
Caribbean – A Caribbean push to transform the region using AI technology has seen over 450 people answer Future Caribbean’s call to participate in its Agentic AI Buildathon… more
Agard: Region lagging in 5G rollout
Caribbean – The Caribbean faces a widening digital infrastructure and investment gap that could undermine its ability to compete in artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, digital government and other emerging sectors, CANTO C9 Chair Lisa Agard has warned… more
‘Caribbean very attractive for telecom investors now’
Caribbean – The Caribbean’s telecommunications sector needs greater regional integration, harmonised regulatory approaches and sustained investment if the region is to attract new players and keep pace with the rapid development of digital technologies, says CANTO secretary general Teresa Wankin… more
Top 20 digital-nomad destinations for 2026
Caribbean – Over the past three years, the world of work has changed dramatically… more
Friday, 14 August 2026
Citi at the forefront of AI integration in its processes
Bahamas – Citi is rapidly integrating artificial intelligence (AI) across its global operations, with the technology already being used in areas ranging from fraud detection and credit analysis to know your customer processes and customer service, the bank’s Country Officer John Lopez told Guardian Business on Tuesday… more
Insurance agent unveils online portal capabilities
Bahamas – A Bahamian insurance agency says it is marking its 60th anniversary by helping customers discover how much of their insurance business can be handled online… more
Sebas: Public trust vital to AI adoption
Bahamas – A CABINET minister says public trust will be critical to the speed at which The Bahamas’ adopts artificial intelligence (AI) as the Government prepares to develop its national strategy and governance framework focused on privacy, cyber security, transparency and human oversight… more
Digital payments offer greater security, former central bank governor says
Barbados – Former Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados Dr Delisle Worrell has backed its national digital payment platform, cautioning consumers that they face greater risk when carrying out transactions with ‘hard’ currency than with digital payments… more
BTL accepts defeat: chairman closes acquisition chapter, confirms dominance ruling
Belize – Belize Telemedia Limited has formally accepted the collapse of its Speednet bid. In a message to staff dated Thursday, August 14, and obtained by Breaking Belize News, Board Chairman Markhelm Lizarraga told employees that “Cabinet announced that it does not support BTL’s proposed acquisition of SMART/Speednet. We respect Cabinet’s decision and the process through which it was reached.” … more
BTL Closes the Door on $80M Speednet Acquisition
Belize – Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) is closing the door on its proposed acquisition of Speednet. In an employee bulletin, BTL Chairman Markhelm Lizarraga told employees the company accepts Cabinet’s decision not to support the $80 million acquisition of Speednet (SMART)… more
Digi chairman says company remains strong despite acquisition setback
Belize – Digi Belize Chairman Markhelm Lizarraga has told employees that the company is moving forward after Cabinet announced that it does not support Belize Telemedia Limited’s proposed acquisition of SMART/Speednet… more
Failed Speednet Deal Puts BTL Board Under Fire
Belize – The Speednet deal is dead, but questions around BTL’s board are very much alive… more
SMART comes out swinging after Cabinet rejects BTL takeover; Signals new fight over contracts, regulation and infrastructure
Belize – Less than 24 hours after Cabinet effectively pulled political support from BTL’s proposed $80 million acquisition of Speednet Communications Limited, operator of SMART, Speednet has issued an unusually aggressive public statement that reads less like a routine corporate update and more like notice that the competitive battle between Belize’s two telecommunications companies is back on… more
Social Partners welcome Cabinet’s position against proposed BTL-Smart acquisition
Belize – The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB), National Evangelical Association of Belize (NEAB), Belize Network of Non-Governmental Organizations (Benn), and their respective Independent Senators have welcomed Cabinet’s decision not to support the proposed acquisition of Speednet Communications Ltd. (Smart) by Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL)… more
Sounding Off: Belizeans React to BTL’s Buyout Rejection
Belize – Cabinet has made its decision, unions have made their position clear, but what about the people who pay the phone bills? … more
Speednet breaks silence: BTL tried to buy us in 2022 and the public said no twice
Belize – Speednet Communications has spoken for the first time in the acquisition saga, and its statement rewrites the timeline… more
Speednet Says No Sale, No Retreat in Telecoms Fight
Belize – After months of public debate over whether BTL should acquire the company, Speednet says the conversation has now shifted… more
Union Victory? NTUCB Reacts to Cabinet’s Rejection of BTL Proposal
Belize – Cabinet may have rejected BTL’s proposed takeover of Speednet, but the controversy is far from over. Trade unions say Thursday night’s announcement does not settle the matter, not while government-appointed representatives on the BTL board have already voted in favor of the deal… more
Digicel earnings expected to inch up to US$730 million in fiscal 2027
Caribbean – Rating agency Fitch expects Digicel’s earnings to hit at least US$730 million for its financial year ending March 2027, roughly 3.0 per cent higher than a year earlier… more
Cooper and Digicel Discuss Strengthening Curaçao’s Digital Infrastructure and Regional Connectivity
Curaçao – Minister of Telecommunications Charles Cooper held talks with Digicel Business Group representative Mark Shoebridge during the CANTO 2026 conference, focusing on Curaçao’s future digital infrastructure, regional connectivity and opportunities for further investment in the telecommunications sector… more
Indotel proposes new law to modernize telecommunications and digital infrastructure
Dominican Republic – The Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (Indotel) presented a proposed General Law on Telecommunications, Digital Infrastructure and Connectivity aimed at updating the sector’s legal framework and addressing the challenges posed by the country’s technological transformation… more
National Digital Health System Deployed At JNF Hospital
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The Ministry of Health has successfully deployed the National Digital Health Information System (NDHIS) at the Joseph N. France (JNF) General Hospital, marking a significant milestone in the Federation’s efforts to modernise healthcare delivery and create a more efficient, integrated, and patient-centred health system… more
Caution given on the responsible use of AI
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – With Artificial Intelligence (AI) becoming increasingly advanced and accessible, Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Technological Innovation (NCTI), Petrus Gumbs, is encouraging Vincentians to understand the technology and use it responsibly while being aware of the risks associated with it. Gumbs was speaking on NBC Radio’s “Police on the Beat” programme on Monday, August 10, 2026 during a discussion titled “Artificial Intelligence, Tool, Threat or Both?” … more
NTRC makes another donation of Assistive Technology equipment to vulnerable Institutions
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – The NTRC, through the DRIVE Project has donated EC$8,900.00 worth of assistive technology and ICT equipment to three institutions as part of its ongoing efforts to promote digital inclusion and accessibility for the elderly and persons with disabilities… more
Saturday, 15 August 2026
— Nil —
Sunday, 16 August 2026
New AI platform launches as Ja prepares public debate on AI rules
Jamaica – A Jamaican-developed artificial intelligence (AI) platform has entered the market just weeks before the National Artificial Intelligence Task Force launches public consultations on Jamaica’s first AI policy framework… more
Digicel pouring more money into T&T
Trinidad and Tobago – Digicel is stepping up investment in Trinidad and Tobago, expanding its fibre network, mobile capacity, security infrastructure and connectivity to Tobago while hiring more salespeople, technicians and support staff as the telecommunications company sees stronger demand… more
Images credit: Mathias Reding (Pexels); CX Pay; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Bank of Jamaica; Wikipedia; CANTO (Facebook); Wikipedia
