Category: Podcast Episodes

ICTP 377: Rebuilding a country’s telecoms and ICT infrastructure bigger and better after a disaster, with Craig Nesty and Sylvester Cadette

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which devastated Jamaica in October 2025, the current focus is on disaster recovery. In telecoms and ICT, much of the infrastructure was adversely affected, hence the priority is remediation and restoration. Learning from the experience of the region, we are joined by Craig Nesty, the telecoms regulator in Dominica, and Sylvester Cadette, of the International Telecommunications Union Area Office for the Caribbean. We discuss, among other things, Dominica’s experience following Hurricane Maria in 2017; why having a well-functioning National Emergency Telecommunications Plan is critical; innovative projects that have been implemented; and strategies that countries could consider implementing prior to or following a disaster to expedite recovery.

Read More

ICTP 376: Internet fragmentation and why it matters, with William J Drake

The internet was once envisioned as a borderless, open, and unified network connecting people, information, and innovation across the globe. However, in recent years, that vision has been increasingly threatened by what experts call “internet fragmentation”. William J Drake, one of the leading experts on the subject, joins us to discuss, among other things: how and why internet fragmentation came to the fore on the international agenda; how he would define ‘internet fragmentation’; whether there are any circumstances in which internet fragmentation can be a good thing; and why Caribbean countries and other developing regions should be concerned about internet fragmentation.

Read More

ICTP 375: Can Caribbean countries sustain advanced digital technologies, with Sam Tabbara of Paradise Mobile

At almost every stage, Caribbean countries have had to justify whether their markets can support advanced digital technologies. Co-Founder and CEO of Paradise Mobile, Sam Tabbara, joins us in this episode to share his thoughts on issues including:  the claims by major regional telcos that there was no business case for 5G in the region; whether it is possible and plausible for less populous or lower-income Caribbean countries to sustain advanced digital technologies; the role of the regulator in the emerging construct; and what is next for Paradise Mobile in the Caribbean region.

Read More

ICTP 374: Update on Trinidad and Tobago’s fintech and virtual assets sector, with Alexander Gafoor of the FinTechTT

Unlike other Caribbean countries that have been aggressive in developing their fintech space, Trinidad and Tobago adopted a more measured posture in which it emphasised strengthening key enablers that could eventually facilitate accelerated development. However, in recent weeks, it appeared the country took a giant step backwards by proposing a blanket ban on all virtual asset service provider activities, though successful businesses had already been established. With Alexander Gafoor, the President of the FinTech Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FinTechTT), we discuss, among other things, the proposed ban and the challenges that are likely to eventuate; the feedback and recommendations made to the Government by FinTechTT; the broader state of innovation in Trinidad and Tobago; and what the country needs to do to become the fintech powerhouse it was always meant to be.

Read More

ICTP 373: Harmonised technology regulation, blockchain technology for development, and the Caribbean region’s AI priorities

In our October 2025 Community Chat, and with members of the Caribbean tech community, Founder and Lead Consultant of ProTradeConsult, Lisa Callender of Jamaica, and Chartered Accountant, Certified Information Systems Auditor, and Certified Information Privacy Professional, Allison James of Barbados, the panel discusses: the relevance of harmonised technology regulation in growing our economies through the the free movement of people and integrated payment platforms; can blockchain technologies be a new development partner for the Caribbean?, and investing in AI: What should be the region’s priorities? 

Read More

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

Archives