{"id":147993,"date":"2019-05-06T06:00:33","date_gmt":"2019-05-06T11:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=147993"},"modified":"2019-05-05T20:00:37","modified_gmt":"2019-05-06T01:00:37","slug":"roundup-week-5-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2019\/05\/roundup-week-5-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"Roundup: for the week ending 5 May 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

A roundup of the latest ICT\/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 29 April to Sunday 5 May 2019.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Monday, 29 April 2019<\/h3>\n

Aliv \u2018Monitoring\u2019 US\/UK Fears On Chinese Supplier<\/h4>\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 Aliv\u2019s top executive \u201ccan\u2019t praise highly enough\u201d its Chinese technology supplier despite the ongoing controversy over whether it should be allowed to build 5G mobile networks in the US and UK\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Blockchain and technology-driven initiative to completely transform Barbados economy<\/h4>\n

Barbados <\/em>\u2013 SM@RT, a US blockchain-based sustainable economic development company, announced the prelaunch of SM@RT BARBADOS™. This new strategic initiative has two purposes\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Broadcasting Authority supports code of conduct<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 During today\u2019s workshop on children\u2019s rights and reporting at the Belize Biltmore Plaza, chair of the Belize Broadcasting Authority, Francine Burns, presented on the role of regulator, the Belize Broadcasting Authority in regulating and licensing media content\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

EDITORIAL \u2013 Are OfReg\u2019s troubles \u2018growing pains\u2019 or something more?<\/h4>\n

Cayman Islands <\/em>\u2013 Legislators\u2019 narrow vote to provide supplementary funding for the Utilities Regulation and Competition Office this month should be a wake-up call for Cayman\u2019s troubled super-regulator\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Guyana launches ICT course in Rupununi<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 First Lady of Guyana, H. E. Sandra Granger, on Tuesday, April 23, launched the first ever Information Communication Technology Training course, a Ministry of Social Protection\u2019s Board of Institution workshop, to better prepare students of the Bina Hill Institute Youth Learning Centre, (YLC) Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region 9, for the growing world of technology\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Caribbean internet development receives support from ARIN<\/h4>\n

Regional\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 For anyone wondering how internet development is evolving in the Caribbean, an international conference held in Bridgetown, Barbados, hosted by the American Registry for internet Numbers (ARIN), provided more than a few positive clues\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Experts call for Caribbean to make its voice heard on global Internet governance<\/h4>\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 The internet has come to play a vital role in the social and economic development of the Caribbean\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Tuesday, 30 April 2019<\/h3>\n

\"\"URCA Unveils GB Town Hall Meetings<\/h4>\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) is set to hold three meetings on Grand Bahama as part of its ongoing public consultation process\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

NTRC hosts \u2018Girls in ICT\u2019 event<\/h4>\n

Dominica\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 The National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Information, Science, Telecommunications and Technology (MISTT) hosted \u2018Girls in ICT\u2019 day under the theme\u00a0\u201cExpand Horizons and Change Attitudes\u201d\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Gov’t Internet Access Plan Faces Challenge As USF Revenues Bleed Again<\/h4>\n

Jamaica\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Jamaica\u2019s push to give vulnerable communities access to the Internet could be impacted as revenues for the main driver, the Universal Service Fund (USF), are waning\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Wednesday, 1 May 2019<\/h3>\n

BTC & BCPOU sign heads of agreement<\/h4>\n

Bahamas\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 BTC officially announced on Tuesday that the company has signed a Heads of Agreement with the leadership of the Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU)\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Bitt to partner with Estonian e-gov firm<\/h4>\n

Barbados <\/em>\u2013 Barbados-based financial technology company, Bitt, on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Estonia\u2019s e-Governance Academy (eGA)\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Government partners with cryptocurrency firm<\/h4>\n

British Virgin Islands\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Premier Andrew Fahie announced last week that government has launched a partnership with LIFElabs.io, a cryptocurrency management company, which he claimed would help provide a \u201crapid cash response\u201d in the event of emergencies\u2026more<\/a><\/p>\n

Caricel\u2019s Argument Weak, Says Court Of Appeal<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 With embattled telecommunications provider Symbiote Investments Limited, which operates as Caricel, pledging to take its grouse to the United Kingdom-based Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, the Jamaican Court of Appeal has unequivocally declared that the company\u2019s appeal will not succeed\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"Digicel launches Samsung Galaxy S10 in Jamaica<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Digicel launched the Samsung Galaxy S10 in Jamaica last Thursday, with the communication leader promising customers\u00a0an amazing experience with the device\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

USF reports decline in service fees<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The Universal Service Fund (USF) has suffered a plunge in the service fees it collects\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

ECCB Launches Digital Currency<\/h4>\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 It\u2019s not often that the Caribbean is first to market in the technology space but in February the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) signed a landmark agreement pioneering the world\u2019s first blockchain-backed currency issued by a central bank\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Greater Caribbean cooperation needed to combat cyber crimes<\/h4>\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 The Caribbean is under virtual siege as incidents of cyber attacks and cyber crimes surge across the region\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

LACNIC Programa FRIDA fund ready to receive applications<\/h4>\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 Digital entrepreneurs and innovators working on internet development projects could win a total of US$25,000 through the Regional Fund for Digital Innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean, called Programa FRIDA\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Thursday, 2 May 2019<\/h3>\n

Blockchain technology to be established in A&B<\/h4>\n

Antigua and Barbuda <\/em>\u2013 The government will be proceeding with plans to establish blockchain technology in the country by enacting the necessary laws in Parliament\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

BTC signs heads of agreement with BCPOU<\/h4>\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) announced yesterday that it has officially signed a heads of agreement (HOA) with the leadership of the Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU), that will form the basis for a new industrial agreement, a press release on the matter revealed\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Communications Sector Below $400m Revenues – A First In Five Years<\/h4>\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 Communications sector revenues dipped below $400m for the first time in five years during 2018, with both fixed-line voice and pay TV subscribers falling year-over-year\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"Utilities regulator wants more law enforcement muscle<\/h4>\n

Cayman Islands <\/em>\u2013 Some of Cayman\u2019s communications providers did not provide information sought by the Utility Competition and Regulation Office for an investigation last year, according to the regulator\u2019s acting CEO, Alee Fa\u2019amoe\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

ICT Access Fundamental To An Information Society \u2013 Williams<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Fayval Williams, is reiterating the importance of ICT skills and greater access to ICTs as fundamental components for participating in today\u2019s information society\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

We need to wake up – Reggae artiste encourages people to get educated on technology<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Up-and-coming reggae artiste Avaran is encouraging the public to learn how to use technology to their advantage\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Technology In Focus | Smart Cities A Pipe Dream For Jamaica?<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Last year, the Government gave a commitment to establish Jamaica\u2019s first smart city, with the business district of New Kingston named the pioneer\u2026more<\/a><\/p>\n

C&W\/Flow Moving the Region into the Digital Future<\/h4>\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 \u201cWhy are we not further along in our path to digitally transform the region?\u201d was the question posed by Liberty Latin America\u2019s (LLA) Chief Legal Officer, John Winter, to a packed audience that included Caribbean Government Ministers and Telecommunications policymakers and operators at the Opening Ceremony of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) 30th Anniversary celebration on Monday, April 29th\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

CTU: Govt must champion technology<\/h4>\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 The long and te\u00addious lines at Gov\u00adern\u00adment of\u00adfices to ap\u00adply for doc\u00adu\u00adments such as birth pa\u00adpers and dri\u00adver\u2019s per\u00admits can be avoid\u00aded if the State has the will pow\u00ader to adopt a more tech\u00adno\u00adlog\u00adi\u00adcal ap\u00adproach to gov\u00ader\u00adnance\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

TSTT\u2019s role in TT tech transformation<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 Imagine being able to renew your driver\u2019s license online, or better yet, being able to use the internet to get your first driver\u2019s permit. Many who have gone through the Wrightson Road experience of driver\u2019s permit certification would describe it as long, drawn-out and mentally tiring\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Friday, 3 May 2019<\/h3>\n

\"\"BTC Touts Doubling Of Internet Speeds<\/h4>\n

Bahamas\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) says it has doubled Internet speeds for all customers on its newly-extended Fibre to the Home (FTTH) residential network infrastructure\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Nat\u2019l ID program would reduce risks of digital payment services<\/h4>\n

Bahamas\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 The Bahamas is treading cautiously in the area of digital payment services because of the inherent risks involved, Governor of the Central Bank of The Bahamas (CBOB) John Rolle said yesterday\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

URCA Releases Internet Exchange Oversight Regime<\/h4>\n

Bahamas\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Regulators yesterday moved to create the supervisory framework for Bahamas-based Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) in a bid to lower local access costs\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

2019 Future Of Belize Telecommunications Market- Trends, Outlook and Growth Opportunities of Mobile, Fixed Landline and Broadband Markets<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 The future value proposition for telecommunications market in Belize to 2025 is detailed in the report. It also provides imperatives for gaining market share in highly competitive telecom industry. It provides unmatched depth and breadth into drivers, challenges, tariffs, competition, subscriber behaviour, infrastructure, regulatory support and others\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

BTL and Ministry of Education promote technology in schools<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 The Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) have worked together to organize a new and exciting venture for education in Belize\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Yello launches phone directory under \u2018Go Green\u2019 Theme<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 On Thursday, April 25, the Yello Media Group launched its latest edition of the Belize Telemedia Telephone Directory\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

British Virgin Islands: Getting Ready For The Crypto Spring<\/h4>\n

British Virgin Islands\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 With flexible and commercially minded legislation, an innovative approach to anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, political stability and an internationally recognised securities regulatory regime, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) has established itself as the jurisdiction of choice for a number of initial coin offerings (ICOs)\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Airbnb Spurs Jamaica\u2019s Homeshare Market<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Jamaica\u2019s homeshare market grew by two-thirds in 2018\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Funding Crunch Stalls Tablets In Schools Rollout<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Funding problems hampered the rollout of the much-touted Tablets in School project spearheaded by e-Learning Jamaica for reporting year April 2017 to March 2018 as the entity continues to grapple with cash-injection woes from supporting government ministries\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Sprint Financial enters fintech arena<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Jamaica -based micro-financier Sprint Financial has entered the local fintech arena with the introduction of its new online B2B product SprintFinx.com\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Internet of humans rising in Caribbean<\/h4>\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 It\u2019s easy to overlook but hard to overstate that the internet really is a network of humans\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

NANOG\u2019S Edward McNair Delivers Keynote Address At CARIBNOG 17<\/h4>\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 Edward Mc Nair, executive director of the North American Network Operators Group (NANOG), delivered the keynote at the seventeenth regional meeting of theCaribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG), held from April 10 to 12 at the Hilton in Bridgetown, Barbados\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"Seven technology pioneers honoured for contribution to Caribbean Internet governance<\/h4>\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 Seven of the region\u2019s leading technology advocates were formally recognised for their outstanding service to the Caribbean at a special awards ceremony to mark the fifteenth anniversary of the Caribbean Internet Governance Forum (CIGF)\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Flow Customers Now Connect Faster and Easier<\/h4>\n

Saint Kitts and Nevis <\/em>\u2013 Flow customers can now share life\u2019s\u00a0special moments faster and easier with access to increased data plans. The new plans\u00a0give customers up to 15GBS of data which is a massive upgrade to the existing prepaid data packages\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Saturday, 4 May 2019<\/h3>\n

FLOW replacing cables destroyed by Corporate Area road works<\/h4>\n

Jamaica\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Telecommunications firm FLOW says it will be replacing its cable infrastructure over the weekend following extensive damage as a result of ongoing road works in the Corporate Area\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Sunday, 5 May 2019<\/h3>\n

Hackers Siphon $4m From Jamaican Banks Monthly As Cyber Theft Grows<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Jamaica\u2019s banks experience nearly two cyberattacks per week on average, and in one extreme month, hackers made off with $10 million, according to the latest official data\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

Image credits: Free-Photos (Pixabay<\/a>); \u00a0Wikipedia<\/a>; \u00a0Brands of the World<\/a>; \u00a0Wikipedia<\/a>; \u00a0The Eleutheran<\/a>; \u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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