A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday, 3 August to Sunday, 9 August 2026.
Monday, 3 August 2026
A New Digital Experience for Water Taxi Travelers
Belize – Traveling between Belize City, San Pedro, and Caye Caulker is becoming more convenient as San Pedro Belize Express introduces its new Express Plus App, a digital platform designed to make booking, traveling, and accessing customer benefits easier than ever… more
BCCI reaffirms grave concerns over BTL’s proposed Speednet acquisition
Belize – The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry has publicly reiterated its firm opposition to the proposed acquisition of Speednet Communications Limited, operators of Smart, by Belize Telemedia Limited in its current form, warning that public resources and Belizean workers’ pension funds are directly at risk… more
Reimagining education in the era of AI
Caribbean – The intelligent society is a new stage of social development in which artificial intelligence is deeply embedded in daily life. From production lines to classrooms, AI reshapes how we learn, work and govern. This era is characterised by human-machine collaboration, cross-sector integration and co-creation… more
Liberty Business, SBAJ sign MOU to accelerate digital transformation for small businesses
Jamaica – Jamaican small businesses are set to benefit from greater access to digital tools, cybersecurity support and technology training under a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Liberty Business and the Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ)… more
FNP’s halting stumble to dubious relevance
Trinidad and Tobago – One year ago, at the end of a civil discussion about a column I’d written about the introduction of Fixed Number Portability, I promised Telecommunications Authority (TATT) CEO Kurleigh Prescod that I’d return to the topic in 12 months to assess how well the FNP project had done after launch… more
Tuesday, 4 August 2026
‘Bahamas Ovyrde will not be repeat of FTX’
Bahamas – Julian Brown, chairman and chief executive officer of Benchmark Bahamas, said at a press conference on Thursday that the new cryptocurrency trading platform Bahamas Ovryde Exchange will avoid the mistakes made by FTX and further vowed that after approval from the Securities Commission of The Bahamas that the platform Bahamas Ovryde will not indulge in any monkey business… more
Farm data gap ‘hampering’ food production drive
Barbados – The government’s drive to reduce the food import bill is being hampered by a lack of data from farmers on what they are planting, when crops are being planted and when they are expected to be harvested, farm minister Dr Shantal Munro-Knight has told Barbados TODAY… more
Briceño family shareholders deny selling SMART shares to Lord Ashcroft
Belize – Jaime Briceño and Renan Briceño, minority shareholders in Speednet Communications Limited—the company that operates the SMART telecommunications network—have denied claims that they sold their shares to Lord Michael Ashcroft… more
BTL’s Big Telecom Move Triggers Backlash Outside Headquarters
Belize – As BTL directors met to decide the future of one of the country’s biggest telecommunications deals, union representatives stood outside demanding answers. They say a decision that could impact every Belizean customer shouldn’t be made without public scrutiny… more
BTL board approves $80 million Speednet purchase one day after Chamber’s halt call
Belize – The Board of Directors of Belize Telemedia Limited has approved the proposed purchase of 100 percent of the issued share capital of Speednet Communications Limited, operators of Smart, pressing ahead one day after the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry publicly urged that the acquisition be halted… more
BTL Board Greenlights $80M SMART Acquisition Plan
Belize – Belize Telemedia Limited’s Board of Directors has approved moving forward with the proposed acquisition of Speednet-SMART… more
BTL Board Says Yes, UDP Says Belizeans Were Betrayed
Belize – The proposed BTL-Speednet acquisition has now moved from the boardroom to the streets. Hours after BTL’s Board of Directors voted to proceed with the eighty-million-dollar buyout, the United Democratic Party mobilized its supporters… more
BTL Moves to Take Over Speednet in $80 Million Deal
Belize – BTL says its proposed takeover of Speednet is a bold investment in Belize’s digital future. But before the deal can move forward, regulators and the public may want answers to a few important questions:… more
EdTech Summit Gives Teachers New Tools for the Classroom
Belize – More than five hundred teachers from across Belize gathered at the Belize City Civic Center today for the Ministry of Education’s second annual EdTech Summit, as educators explored how technology and artificial intelligence can transform teaching and learning… more
Faber Disrupts Senate Agenda Over BTL Board Decision
Belize – The fallout from BTL’s proposed Speednet acquisition did not stay outside the company’s headquarters. It spilled into the Senate chamber… more
Independent senators join Chamber and unions in challenging BTL’s Speednet purchase
Belize – The four independent members of the Senate have issued a joint statement challenging Belize Telemedia Limited’s proposed acquisition of Speednet Communications Limited, adding their collective voice to a widening front of opposition on the same day BTL’s Board of Directors approved advancing the purchase… more
Independent Senators Oppose BTL’s Approval of SMART Acquisition
Belize – Belize’s four independent senators have issued a joint statement opposing Belize Telemedia Limited’s decision to move forward with its proposed acquisition of Speednet Communications Limited (SMART). The senators argue that significant legal and competition concerns remain unresolved… more
“The Answer Has to Be No”: NTUCB Stands Firm on BTL Acquisition of SMART
Belize – Opposition groups have gathered outside Belize Telemedia Limited’s doorstep on St. Thomas Street in Belize City to raise their concerns over what they’re calling transparency, valuation, competition and public consultation over the proposed acquisition of SpeedNet-SMART… more
UDP Condemns BTL Board’s Approval of SMART Acquisition
Belize – Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton says the United Democratic Party (UDP) is “deeply perturbed” by Belize Telemedia Limited’s decision to move forward with its proposed acquisition of Speednet Communications Limited (SMART) for a reported BZ$80 million… more
UDP raises concerns over BTL’s reported acquisition of SMART
Belize – The United Democratic Party (UDP) has criticized the decision by Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) to proceed with the reported BZ$80 million acquisition of Speednet/SMART, saying the move lacks sufficient transparency and due diligence… more
Indigent insurance fund goes digital to improve security
Cayman Islands – The Segregated Insurance Fund (SIF), set up under the Health Insurance Commission Act, 2016 and managed by the Health Insurance Commission (HIC), has been transformed with a new online reporting system, launched on Monday, 3 August. This shift marks a significant step toward modernising the way the SIF’s contributions are recorded and managed… more
JMMB unveils New Digital Branch
Jamaica – The JMMB Group is set to launch its newest enhancement to its client experience, the JMMB digital branch at 102 Hope Road in Kingston 6, a modern space designed to make banking and investing more convenient, accessible and seamless for its clients… more
Scotiabank adds international wire transfers to online, mobile banking
Jamaica – Scotiabank customers can now initiate international wire transfers through Scotia OnLine and the Scotia Mobile Banking app, removing the need to visit a branch… more
AI firm eyes global growth from T&T
Trinidad and Tobago – A Trinidad and Tobago artificial intelligence (AI) company has begun operations with ambitions to export locally developed technology worldwide, with chief executive officer Gregory Fernandez saying the venture could generate foreign exchange, create more than 1,000 jobs and help businesses reduce operating costs… more
Wednesday, 5 August 2026
BOSS+ link not us
Barbados – The Central Bank of Barbados (CBB) yesterday warned about fraudulent e-mails inviting the public to access a so-called “personal BOSS+ investment portal”… more
500+ Teachers Showed Up to the Ministry’s Talks on AI in Classrooms
Belize – The Ministry of Education wrapped its two-day National Edtech Summit today at the Belize City Civic Center, with day two focused on how school leaders can use emerging technology to strengthen collaboration with teachers and students… more
BTL-Speednet Buyout Advances, But BCCI Says Belize Is Not Ready
Belize – BTL’s board has signed off on the proposed eighty-million-dollar acquisition of Speednet, but the move is doing little to ease concerns in the private sector… more
BTL-Speednet Protest Divides Senate, Wade Stands Alone
Belize – Was Senator Louis Wade wrong to stay behind during Tuesday’s Senate walkout? That question has been stirring public debate after Wade remained inside the National Assembly Chambers while other independent senators and opposition members walked out in protest of the BTL-Speednet buyout… more
EdTech Summit Charts Future of Belizean Classrooms
Belize – Teachers, Principals and school leaders from across Belize gathered today at the Belize City Civic Center for day two of the Ministry of Education’s National Edtech Summit… more
Fonseca Reserves Comment on BTL-Speednet Deal
Belize – Minister of Education Francis Fonseca saying he wants an official Cabinet briefing before he weighs in publicly on the proposed BTL-Speednet deal… more
Galen University opens MBA applications with online delivery built for working Belizeans
Belize – Belizean professionals eyeing the next rung on the career ladder have a homegrown option on the table. Galen University is accepting applications for its Master in Social Work, a two year programme delivered fully online and, in the university’s own words, designed for Belize and Belizeans… more
Top 20 digital nomad destinations for 2026
Caribbean – OVER the past three years, the world of work has changed dramatically… more
Department of Education considering AI implications for government schools
Cayman Islands – The Department of Education Services is examining the growing role of artificial intelligence in Cayman classrooms as educators seek to harness the technology’s educational benefits while safeguarding academic integrity… more
Blue NAP Americas and Cloud Carib Build Secure, Sovereign Cloud Foundation for the Caribbean
Curaçao – Blue NAP Americas and Cloud Carib Limited are advancing their strategic partnership to deliver sovereign cloud infrastructure built specifically for the operational, regulatory, and resilience needs of Caribbean organizations… more
Amber AI Lab to build Jamaica’s first cultural AI model
Jamaica – AMBER Group is aiming to build Jamaica’s first locally developed large language model (LLM), part of a broader effort to shift the island from consuming artificial intelligence (AI) technology developed overseas to creating and exporting its own AI technologies… more
Online Platforms Enhance Social Services Delivery
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Digitisation has helped to transform and improve the way citizens and residents of Saint Kitts and Nevis can access assistance from the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Affairs… more
Thursday, 6 August 2026
Central Bank dismisses viral BiMPay claims as false
Barbados – The Central Bank of Barbados (CBB) has moved to reassure the public after a voice note circulating on WhatsApp made what it described as “false and misleading” claims about the country’s national instant payments system, BiMPay… more
Flow to end legacy email service Caribsurf on September 30
Barbados – Flow Barbados has announced that its legacy Caribsurf email service will be permanently retired on Wednesday 30th September 2026… more
‘Gig workers’ need stronger pay protections – Slocombe
Barbados – Senator Jamal Slocombe has called for stronger protections for workers in the growing gig economy, arguing that both private employers and government agencies have engaged in unfair labour practices that leave workers struggling to make ends meet… more
New app aims to bridge school-home communication gap, ease teacher workloads
Barbados – A new paid mobile app designed to streamline school–home communication and reduce teachers’ administrative workloads has been launched, with education officials backing its potential to support the wider digital transformation agenda… more
Cabinet Approves Amendments to Cybercrime Bill to safeguard freedom of expression
Belize – Cabinet has approved amendments to the Cybercrime Bill aimed at clarifying the scope of offences while ensuring the legislation aligns with constitutional protections for freedom of expression… more
Faber Claims BTL Vote Was Attempt to Hoodwink Belizeans
Belize – News Five caught up with Lead Opposition Senator Patrick Faber today and we asked him about his decision to lead Tuesday’s Senate walkout… more
Silence on BTL Deal is “Disrespectful to all Belizeans”
Belize – The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Belize Network of NGOs, National Evangelical Association of Belize, and National Trade Union Congress of Belize are doubling down on their opposition to the BTL-Speednet acquisition, and this time they’ve attached five specific demands to it… more
Swallowing the Competition Inside BTL’s buyout of Smart, and why Starlink is the ghost at the table
Belize – Belize Telemedia Limited’s board voted yesterday, August 4, to move ahead with buying Speednet Communications, the parent company of Smart. It is the deal Belizeans have been arguing about since rumors of it first leaked in 2025, and it is not finished yet… more
UDP Warns Against Rushed BTL/Speednet Deal
Belize – The UDP is saying no to the proposed BTL/Speednet acquisition, and it is laying out several reasons why. The party says too many questions remain unanswered, from transparency and due diligence to consumer protection and regulatory oversight… more
AI is already in your company
Caribbean – AI systems and large language models are already conducting sales conversations about your company… more
Friday, 7 August 2026
Cabinet Yet to Decide on B.T.L. Takeover of Speednet
Belize – The proposed B.T.L. takeover of Speednet is already getting political support in some corners of the P.U.P., but Minister Thea Garcia-Ramirez says she is not ready to sign on just yet… more
NICH supports 2nd National EdTech Summit
Belize – The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) participated in the 2nd National EdTech Summit, highlighting the importance of preserving Belize’s culture and identity as technology continues to transform education… more
The risks of AI — hallucinations, data privacy, and what should never go into a chatbot
Caribbean – For nine weeks this column has argued that AI belongs in the Jamaican finance office: forecasting cash flow, cleaning a year of receipts, turning spreadsheets into slides, reading 200-page agreements before anybody signs them. Nearly every one of those columns closed with the same two warnings — verify everything, and keep confidential material on a business account… more
CIMA: BitMart was never authorised in Cayman
Cayman Islands – On 26 July, cryptocurrency exchange platform, BitMart, announced that it would wind down operations. The news caused a panicked rush to withdraw cryptocurrency from the exchange with reports that many account holders have been unable to regain their assets… more
Paperless police service in works
Cayman Islands – Cayman’s police officers are moving to a paperless future where their cars will also be used as a mobile office, a senior officer has said… more
CBCS Tightens Financial Supervision as Crypto, AI and Cyber Risks Grow
Curaçao – The Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) is significantly expanding its supervisory role as financial technology, digital payments and virtual assets reshape the financial sector… more
Dominican Republic ranks among top six countries in regional digital health test
Dominican Republic – The Dominican Republic placed among the top six countries out of 20 participants at the 5th Regional Digital Health Connectathon held in Panama City, demonstrating its ability to securely exchange clinical information under international interoperability standards… more
FLOW’S US$25-M REBUILD
Jamaica – FLOW Jamaica has spent more than US$25 million ($3.90 billion) restoring its network after Hurricane Melissa, including US$12 million ($1.87 billion) during the second quarter as it continued reconnecting fixed-line customers in western Jamaica… more
JMMB opens first digital branch as annual profit halves
Jamaica – JMMB Group has opened its first digital smart branch at 102 Hope Road in Liguanea, St Andrew, as the regional financial services company expands its online and self-service operations… more
NTRC donates Assistive Technology to entities serving persons with disability
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – The National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) donated EC$12,408.00 worth of assistive technology and ICT equipment to the Voice of the Disabled (VOD) during a ceremony held on August 5, 2026, at the organisation’s headquarters in Sans Souci… more
Splectron launches online shopping mall
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Have you ever wanted to buy an item or access a service in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and have no idea where to turn?… more
Saturday, 8 August 2026
AI in schools ‘should be encouraged with safeguards’
Barbados – Students should be encouraged to use artificial intelligence in schools, but within clear limits that keep human thinking at the centre, according to Hibiscus Sports and Culture Foundation founder Akealii Hall… more
Halo BPO sweetens the deal: $10 an hour plus commission for home based sales agents
Belize – Halo BPO is back on the hiring trail, and the terms have improved. The company’s latest recruitment drive for work from home sales agents offers $9.00 BZD per hour during training, rising to $10.00 BZD per hour after training, plus commission and bonuses, with pay issued weekly, an upgrade on the $8.50 flat rate advertised earlier this month… more
The 80 million dollar question, a ledger for Belizeans to judge the BTL Speednet deal
Belize – This week, the board of Belize Telemedia Limited approved spending 80 million dollars to buy Speednet, the company Belizeans know as Smart. It did so one day after the Chamber of Commerce publicly begged it to halt. The final agreement still must return to the board before signing, which means one thing… more
Letter: Cayman’s AI rules need workplace evidence
Cayman Islands – Cayman is preparing artificial intelligence legislation for 2027 while public-sector leaders and employers consider how the technology should reshape services and jobs. Recent evidence that individual productivity gains often fail to become organisation-wide transformation shows why rules must be tested against actual work… more
Flow expands 5G mobile network access to prepaid customers
Jamaica – Flow has expanded access to its 5G mobile network to prepaid customers, marking the latest phase of the company’s ongoing investment in delivering faster mobile connectivity across Jamaica… more
Sunday, 9 August 2026
AI agency looking to lure hyperscalers
Trinidad and Tobago – As T&T confronts declining natural gas production and growing concerns about the long-term future of its energy sector, Caribbean AI Agency chief creative officer Andre Samuel is advocating for the development of large-scale data centres as a new pillar of economic growth… more
Images credit: Carterse (flickr); Liberty Latin America; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Blue Nap Americas (Facebook); Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Flow Jamaica (Facebook)
