{"id":127988,"date":"2018-04-09T06:45:57","date_gmt":"2018-04-09T11:45:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=127988"},"modified":"2018-04-08T13:15:29","modified_gmt":"2018-04-08T18:15:29","slug":"roundup-week-8-april-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2018\/04\/roundup-week-8-april-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Roundup: for the week ending 8 April 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

A roundup of the latest ICT\/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 2 April to Sunday 8 April 2018.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Monday, 2 April 2018<\/h3>\n

Antigua and Barbuda to establish their own cryptocurrency exchange<\/h4>\n

Antigua and Barbuda <\/em>\u2013 The government of Antigua and Barbuda has finalized its decision of launching their cryptocurrency exchange\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Tuesday, 3 April 2018<\/h3>\n

Cayman \u2018Uber\u2019-like app morphs into high-tech dispatch service<\/h4>\n

Cayman Islands <\/em>\u2013 Originally envisaged as \u201cUber in Cayman,\u201d a new tech business is preparing for a pilot launch as a potential solution to concerns about taxi rates and reliability on the island\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2018Futile\u2019 to enforce public access TV<\/h4>\n

Cayman Islands <\/em>\u2013 Television regulators consider it \u201cfutile\u201d to attempt to enforce a licensing requirement for cable companies to provide a \u201cfree-to-air\u201d public channel\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Yello Media hosts digital marketing conference<\/h4>\n

Cayman Islands <\/em>\u2013 Yello Media Group is hosting a digital marketing conference, \u201cDigital Marketing Innovation: Ready for Tomorrow!,\u201d on April 16 at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Network Administrator to help improve health information system<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 The need to improve Guyana\u2019s health information system has been gaining keen attention. In this regard, the Ministry of Public Health has been receiving support from one of its technical partners, the Pan American Health Organisation [PAHO], to recruit a Network Administrator\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Haiti\"NOTICE : \u00abHaiti Start\u00bb Program, open registration<\/h4>\n

Haiti <\/em>\u2013 BANJ informs you of the launch of the “Haiti Start” program in partnership with Google Launchpad! \u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Landline call rates decline<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Call rates to landlines have declined between $9.39 and $10.04 per minute\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Flow CARIFTA Games Go Mobile!<\/h4>\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 The\u00a0<\/strong>2018 Flow CARIFTA Games have gone mobile, paving the way for all Flow customers to view unprecedented live coverage of the world\u2019s best junior track and field meet via the Flow Sports Mobile App\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Internet Orgs Team Up To Curb Climate Impact On Caribbean Networks<\/h4>\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 A new initiative to make Caribbean Internet infrastructure less vulnerable to the impact of climate change and natural disasters is gaining momentum across the region. Several Internet organisations recently held talks in Puerto Rico to flesh out a more collaborative approach to boosting Caribbean communications network resilience\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

St Joseph man fined $15,000 for selling TSTT batteries<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 A 21-year-old man will now have to pay $15,000 within three months or serve two years hard labour for selling TSTT’s cell site batteries\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Conflict over software contract<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 MAJORITY State-owned tele\u00adcommunications provider, TSTT, is disputing the conclusion that its \u201cprocurement process failures\u201d cost the company $30 million in a deal to acquire Oracle software that turned sour\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

TSTT sets sights on Flow, Digicel customers<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 TSTT\u2019s chief commercial officer Miguel Garcia says the majority State-owned company plans to take customers from Flow and Digicel as it ramps up its plan to transition the population from a copper to a fibre-optic network\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Wednesday, 4 April 2018<\/h3>\n

Anguilla represented at Data Dissemination Workshop<\/h4>\n

Anguilla<\/em>\u2013 The OECS in collaboration with the World Bank convened a one-week regional workshop on data dissemination, from 19th – 23rd March, 2018, at the Radisson Hotel in Grenada. Anguilla was among fifteen (15) countries in the region represented at the workshop\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"GOB To Apply GST To Internet \u2013 Cable Operators Say No!<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 The Prime Minister of Belize on his latest budget speech stated that the Government of Belize plant to charge 12.5% GST on internet, something that would affect everyone in the country except for schools\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Internet now costs more, GST applied on data services<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 Despite outcry from cable and Internet providers about the potential negative impact on applying General Sales Tax (GST) on Data and Internet services, that tax is now effective and Internet rates, which had been trending down in recent years, is now effective, making Internet 12.5% more expensive for consumers all across Belize\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Complaint file against GTT for vindictive seizure of phone lines<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 The UK based publishers of the Guyana Guardian, has filed a formal complaint yesterday with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in Guyana, and the International Press Institute (IPI) in Vienna, Austria, against local telephone company, GTT, in which the telecommunications entity is accused of stifling press freedom\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Pay finally your taxes online<\/h4>\n

Haiti <\/em>\u2013 Monday, Ronald D\u00e9cembre, the Secretary of State for Finance and Miradin Morlan the Director General of Taxes, accompanied by DGI Technology Director Serge Rosenthal Jr. presented the system of online declaration (e-declaration) and payment online (e-payment) now in operation\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

C&W Business hikes rates<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Customers of C&W Business are facing increased rates\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Harry Smith appointed chairman of Digicel Jamaica<\/h4>\n

Jamaica<\/em>\u2013 Harry\u00a0Smith has been appointed chairman of the Digicel Jamaica board, according to a news release yesterday from the company\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Bitt signs MOU to conduct fintech pilot on blockchain in ECCB countries<\/h4>\n

Regional<\/em>\u2013 Barbados-based fintech firm Bitt Inc., a portfolio company of Medici Ventures, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Overstock.com focused on the blockchain, and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to conduct a fintech pilot on distributed ledger technology in the ECCB member countries, according to a press release CoinReport received\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Ways to employ video in your business<\/h4>\n

Regional<\/em>\u2013 The saying goes \u201cA picture is worth a thousand words\u201d. It would only follow that for video \u2014 a moving picture \u2014 it should be worth even more. In fact, Forrester research suggests that \u201ca minute of video is worth 1.8 million words… more<\/a><\/p>\n

Social media and teens<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 Recently, I was asked to speak at a high school on the topic of social media and as usual, the parents were surprised (thank God, pleasantly) that more of the talk was about the impact of social media on them versus their teens… more<\/a><\/p>\n

TATT to service providers: Stop sending unwanted calls and messages<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 Everybody has, at some point, received a text message from their mobile service provider advertising some new promotion or deal being offered\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Thursday, 5 April 2018<\/h3>\n

BTL holds off on GST implementation<\/h4>\n

Belize<\/em>\u2013 BTL, which is Government owned and controlled on behalf of the people of Belize, will be absorbing the new GST cost for all their internet related services\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Broadcasting Commission wins global awards<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica (BCJ) has received two gold Muse awards in the International Muse Creative Awards Competition for 2018\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Bitt and CTO sign MOU<\/h4>\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), the region\u2019s tourism development agency, has entered into an agreement with blockchain technology company, Bitt Inc., aimed at facilitating the implementation of more efficient payment processes for tourism-related products and services\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Friday, 6 April 2018<\/h3>\n

\"\"Several radio operations face imminent shutdown \u2026as Broadcasting Authority gets tough for non-compliance<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 Even the longest rope has an end. That idiom is a stark reminder of the position taken by the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) which has decided to publish a list of all non-compliant broadcasters who as a result of their errant ways will no longer be allowed to operate\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Flow Jamaica Loses Another Battle Over Cuts In Termination Rates<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Cable & Wireless Jamaica, which trades as Flow, is reviewing the decision of the Telecommunications Appeal Tribunal after its efforts to challenge the schedule of cuts to fixed-line termination rates were rejected\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

FLOW offers more data, voice in new plan<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 THE mobile data war between the island’s telecommunications companies is getting hotter, with FLOW Jamaica yesterday introducing a new package for its clients and prospective ones\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Jamaicans Top UN Hackathon In Switzerland<\/h4>\n

Jamaica<\/em>\u2013 The United Nation’s World Summit on Information Technology this year saw more than 30 nationalities, 14 teams and a wide range of experienced individuals participating in the ‘Hack Against Hunger’ Hackathon, which was held in Geneva, Switzerland\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Smith named chairman of Digicel Jamaica<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The Digicel Group has announced the appointment of Harry Smith as chairman of Digicel Jamaica, the first Jamaican to hold the post. Smith has been tasked with e\u00adnsuring that Digicel maintains, nurtures and cultivates a local flavour and that market insights are translated into benefits for Jamaican customers\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Internet Registry To Host Caribbean Forum In Miami<\/h4>\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 An upcoming gathering of Internet experts could change the conversation around cyber security, network autonomy and network resilience in the Caribbean\u2026more<\/a><\/p>\n

Proggress being made on recovery from Cyber Attack.<\/h4>\n

Sint Maarten <\/em>\u2013 The Ministry of General Affairs hereby informs the public that the recovery process of the Government of Sint Maarten ICT Network is progressing steadily and will continue throughout the upcoming weekend following the cyber-attack on Monday, April 2nd\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

TelCell carrying out maintenance work on 2G network Sunday.<\/h4>\n

Sint Maarten <\/em>\u2013 TelEm Group mobile voice and data provider, TelCell, will be carrying out maintenance work on its 2G network Sunday, April 8, 2018, and today advised customers on how best to remain connected during these works\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

TelEm Group Technicians working on Simpson Bay primary cable cabinet Saturday.<\/h4>\n

Sint Maarten <\/em>\u2013 TelEm Group technicians will be carrying out maintenance work on a primary cable cabinet in the Simpson Bay area Saturday and interruptions in telecommunication services in the following area and streets are expected from 8:00 am in the morning until approximately 4:00 pm in the late afternoon\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

PM: Parliament to debate Cambridge Analytica scandal<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 The Cambridge Analytica scandal will soon be debated in Parliament \u2014and a Parliament committee which will also probe the matter will be summoning foreign and local witnesses to speak about the company\u2019s alleged work here\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Samsung introduces S9 devices in TT<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 AT a launch event at Trincity Mall yesterday, Terry Weech, Mobile Innovations Manager, Samsung Electronics, Latin America and the Caribbean announced the availability from today of the company\u2019s new S9 and S9+ in TT\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Saturday, 7 April 2018<\/h3>\n

EMBRACE NEW TECHNOLOGIES<\/h4>\n

Barbados <\/em>\u2013 Donville Inniss, Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce & Small Business Development believes, \u201cthe international business sector continues and will continue to be a viable contributor to the sustainable growth of the Barbadian economy\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

BEFORE ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE AT BTL<\/h4>\n

Belize<\/em>\u2013 In his address at the close of the debate on the 2017-2018 budget at the House of Representatives in Belmopan, PM Barrow declared that the business, BTL, is protected by the Constitution of Belize, meaning that members of the next government, be they UDP or PUP, will have a stiff wind in their faces if they want to privatize it again. We\u2019ll really have to sleep with our own eyes on this one, to make sure that it is really so\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Social media, email, and telephone history may soon be required for US visa applications<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 Thousands of Belizeans may soon be affected by a new visa application policy proposed by the United States of America (US)\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Caribbean Travel Embraces Cryptocurrencies<\/h4>\n

Regional<\/em>\u2013 Cryptocurrency\u2019s adaptability to clandestine and sometimes criminal transactions has cast a layer of suspicion over Internet-driven digital currencies transactions. Some analysts describe the technology behind Internet-based currencies as \u201cimmature<\/em><\/strong>.\u201d \u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Commission on Caribbean Communications Resilience meets with FCC to strengthen regional networks<\/h4>\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 Members of the Commission on Caribbean Communications Resilience (CCCR) met with United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) representatives on April 5 to discuss new ways to increase the resilience of regional communications infrastructure to extreme natural events\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Saint Lucia Endorses Regional Agreement On Access To Information<\/h4>\n

Saint Lucia <\/em>\u2013 SAINT LUCIA has joined its Caribbean and Latin American counterparts in endorsing the first-ever legally-binding Regional Agreement that will address \u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Sunday, 8 April 2018<\/h3>\n

Poor internet service among bumps in the road for mobile taxi apps<\/h4>\n

Guyana<\/em>\u2013 Taxi operations iRide and\u00a0eCab.gy\u00a0are currently on hiatus and their principals say they are working to address challenges, including the poor quality of mobile internet services, to ensure their mobile apps can effectively function in the Guyanese landscape\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"Cable & Wireless To Exit Stock Market After Nearly 30 Years<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Cable & Wireless Jamaica, a local telecoms with a checkered reputation from its past days as a powerful telephone monopoly, would have celebrated 30 years as a listed company this year\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

StartupRobot Woos Tech Talent With Tours – Subsidiary Hacker Hostel ‘Pays’ Software Developers With The Island Experience<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 StartupRobot, a software development firm that made its name locally by helping new companies and individuals ease the pain of completing business registrations, is spreading its talents to others in the Caribbean in need of tech support\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Image credits: \u00a0Bernard Goldbach<\/a> (flickr); \u00a0Wikipedia<\/a>; \u00a0Wikipedia<\/a>; \u00a0Wikipedia<\/a>; \u00a0Marketing Magazine<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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