{"id":151293,"date":"2020-03-23T06:00:43","date_gmt":"2020-03-23T11:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=151293"},"modified":"2020-03-22T17:21:35","modified_gmt":"2020-03-22T22:21:35","slug":"roundup-week-22-march-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2020\/03\/roundup-week-22-march-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"Roundup: for the week ending 22 March 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

A roundup of the latest ICT\/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 16 March to Sunday 22 March 2020.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Monday, 16 March 2020<\/h3>\n

BUSINESS BYTE: Statement by Flow on Coronavirus (COVID-19)<\/h4>\n

Dominica <\/em>\u2013 We are facing an unprecedented situation with the Coronavirus. Developments are rapidly occurring. Decisions are being made in real-time that affect our colleagues, our families and our communities\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Dominican banks apply protocols with technology<\/h4>\n

Dominican Republic <\/em>\u2013 The Dominican Republic Commercial Banks Association (ABA) on Mon. said that its 18 members abide by Public Health Ministry recommendations and World Health Organization (WHO) protocols to contain coronavirus, declared a pandemic\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

COVID-19 telephone numbers zero-rated \u2014 Fayval Williams<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Jamaica’s two major telecommunication providers – Digicel and Cable and Wireless (FLOW) – have agreed to zero-rate access to all novel coronavirus (COVID-19) numbers in use by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, effective Friday, Minister of Science, Energy and Technology Fayval Williams announced weekend\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"Internet Bullies Cause Safety Concerns For Judge In Grant- Powell Vs. Tanzil Case<\/h4>\n

Saint Kitts and Nevis<\/em> \u2013 Social media users threatening violence in reference to resident judge Eddy Ventose- from St.Lucia- has caused local and regional judiciary groups to be concerned for his safety and are calling on wrong doers to stop behaving in such manner\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Coronavirus: Limit use of cash; make use of online, mobile banking \u2014 Saint Lucia bankers<\/h4>\n

Saint Lucia <\/em>\u2013 The Bankers Association of Saint Lucia has been monitoring the global and regional developments as it relates to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and we continue to do so with heightened awareness following the announcement of Saint Lucia\u2019s first COVID 19 case on Friday, March 13th, 2020\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

SALCC rapidly scales-up online instruction<\/h4>\n

Saint Lucia<\/em> \u2013 The Sir Arthur Lewis Community College has moved rapidly to scale-up online delivery of academic courses given the suspension of face-to-face classes which came into effect on Monday March 16, 2020\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Best tech for working from home<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 As confirmed coronavirus cases increase worldwide, more businesses are mandating employees work from home\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Bmobile zero-rates 12 websites for covid19 access<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 BMOBILE has zero rated 12 websites for customers to access accurate information and news on covid19\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

T&TEC urges online payments<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 As the provider of an essential service, the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission is committed to maintaining its high level of service to customers as the country collectively adopts measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus)\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tuesday, 17 March 2020<\/h3>\n

\"\"Growth & Jobs | Address \u2018Digital Divide\u2019 To Facilitate Rural Development<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 St Ann-based banker Dr Ransford Davidson is suggesting that a partnership between the Government and the private sector could assist to address what he observes as being a \u2018digital divide\u2019 affecting the pace of rural development\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Growth & Jobs | MSMES Urged To Leverage Technology<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 With the micro and small Enterprises (MSME) sector contributing $80.4 billion in revenue in 2018, and accounting for some 35 per cent of jobs in the Jamaican economy, the sector is being urged to leverage technology to facilitate further growth\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Companies gearing up for remote workers<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 ONE telecommunications company is planning for an increase in traffic on both their full fibre and mobile networks in Trinidad and across the Caribbean as more and more companies are allowing their employees to work from home via technology amidst the deadly COVID-19 outbreak\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wednesday, 18 March 2020<\/h3>\n

Penn calls for Internet Exchange Point to manage heavier online traffic from COVID-19 response<\/h4>\n

British Virgin Islands <\/em>\u2013 Opposition Leader Marlon Penn has said he believes the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) and local internet service providers should find common ground to establish the long-discussed Internet Exchange Point (IXP) in the British Virgin Islands\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

ADVERTORIAL| Bringing Your Own Device To Work Can Benefit Employers<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 \u201cWhat\u2019s mine is yours and what\u2019s yours is mine\u201d is an old idiom, which is often used to express generosity in relationships\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Flow takes additional steps to serve customers<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Flow Jamaica today announced several additional measures that the company has put in place for its retail and technical operations to further protect its team and its customers\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Letter from Flow to customers<\/h4>\n

Saint Lucia <\/em>\u2013 Dear Valued Customers and Partners, We are facing an unprecedented situation with the Coronavirus. Developments are rapidly occurring. Decisions are being made in real-time that affect our families, colleagues and our communities\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

How Synapse created a digital workplace<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago<\/em> \u2013 On Monday, the Caribbean Ideas Synapse team was already planning to work from home as part of a company experiment in remote working protocol. However, that day the Prime Minister announced stricter government measures to reduce the spread of the coronavirus\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"Judiciary uses technology to cope with covid19<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago<\/em> \u2013 A HIGH Court judge has fallen ill with the flu and is suffering from mild pneumonia forcing him to suspend sitting on cases so he can remain at home\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Thursday, 19 March 2020<\/h3>\n

ALIV committed to supporting customers amidst COVID-19<\/h4>\n

Bahamas \u2013 ALIV has begun company-wide social distancing measures but branded outlets will remain open as the provider monitors COVID-19 developments\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Educators to be trained in alternative learning platforms as schools undergo closure<\/h4>\n

British Virgin Islands <\/em>\u2013 Educators in the British Virgin Islands will be trained in alternative learning platforms in the next few days as all local schools undergo an initial 14-day closure\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Telecoms companies implement new measures in response to COVID-19 threat<\/h4>\n

British Virgin Islands <\/em>\u2013 Local telecommunications providers have adjusted a number of their policies in light of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to protect the safety of customers and employees in the British Virgin Islands\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"GTT extends bill payment period; increases payment points \u2013 promises to promote social distancing<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 To keep its customers electronically connected and to promote social distancing, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has extended its bill payment period, beginning April 17, 2020, to the 17th of each following month and has swiftly moved to secure new and additional points of payment for ease of access\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

GTT makes COVID-19 hotlines toll free<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) on Wednesday confirmed that after interactions with officials from the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), the company has decided to make all Covid-19 hotline numbers toll free\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

BPO sector implements measures for safer workspace amid COVID-19<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 In light of the spread of the coronavirus locally, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies have implemented measures aimed at protecting their employees\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Digicel joins forces with Ministry of Health in fight against COVID-19<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Digicel customers are now able to receive timely, accurate text message updates on the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation as a result of a public education partnership between Digicel and the Ministry of Health and Wellness\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Jamaican Gov\u2019t allocates $1.2 Billion for Jamaica Eye, CCTV<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The Government will be ramping up the mounting of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at locations across the island under Jamaica Eye\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Technology Platform Of JCF Expanded<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) technology platform has been expanded to accommodate a greater number of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, which will enable officers to monitor more public spaces\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Digicel International helps families stay connected during the times of uncertainty<\/h4>\n

Regional<\/em> \u2013 During this time, where all of us have to take extra precautions and most likely stay at home, being able to talk to the people we care for the most is extremely important\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Digicel offers relief to customers during coronavirus crisis<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago<\/em> \u2013 Free calls to health care providers, zero-rated news websites, discounts on plans and free data all form part of Digicel\u2019s response to customers\u2019 needs, as people start working remotely in efforts to stop the spread of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19)\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Friday, 20 March 2020<\/h3>\n

BPO sector welcomes policy to work remotely<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 President of the Global Services Association of Jamaica (GSAJ) Gloria Henry is happy with Government’s decision to allow players in the sector to work from home due to the novel coronavirus threat\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Computer Waiver Boosts Work-At-Home For BPOs<\/h4>\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 The Global Services Association of Jamaica (GSAJ) has welcomed the positive response by the Government to its request for a waiver on computers to be used by select employees under a work-from-home (WAH) arrangement as the nation combats the spread of the novel coronavirus\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Jamaica National Hit By Major Cyber Attack<\/h4>\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 The Jamaica National Group is reporting that one of its systems suffered a ransomware attack that saw the data of some members and customers being stolen\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

More pressure on Caricel bosses<\/h4>\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 The tug-of-war involving local law enforcement agencies \u2014 Symbiote Investments Limited, which trades as Caricel, and Xtrinet Limited, which reportedly purchased the spectrum licence issued to Symbiote \u2014 is heating up\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

FLOW Company Statement<\/h4>\n

Saint Kitts and Nevis <\/em>\u2013 We are closely monitoring the evolving situation surrounding the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and are following guidance from the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO)\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"Jury trials suspended, High Court civil matters to be heard via Skype<\/h4>\n

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines <\/em>\u2013 JURY TRIALS at the Criminal High Courts have been suspended and telecommunications software Skype will be used to hear matters at the Civil High Courts\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

TelEm field technicians given new COVID-19 instructions<\/h4>\n

Saint Maarten <\/em>\u2013 TelEm Group is putting strict safety measures in place for Outside Plant (OSP) and technical staff who are coming into contact with customers and members of the public each day to carry out new installations and effect repairs\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Saturday, 21 March 2020<\/h3>\n

Barbados: New delivery service launched to promote social distancing, help curb COVID-19 spread<\/h4>\n

Barbados <\/em>\u2013 E-Commerce Entrepreneurs and Attorneys, Lily Dash and Sophie Bannister have launched WiFetch \u2014 a delivery service to support the call for social distancing in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Caricel Officials Charged<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Officials of Symbiote Investments Limited, which trades as Caricel, were among several persons on Thursday charged with breaches of the Telecommunications Act following a ruling by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions\u2026. more<\/a><\/p>\n

JN Waive Some Fees After Cyberattack<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 A sophisticated cyberattack was unleashed on the JN Bank this week sending the financial institution\u2019s cybersecurity team into defence mode as they took swift action to contain the effects of the malware and to identify the source of the onslaught\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sunday, 22 March 2020<\/h3>\n

NCB customer makes $38 million online transaction error<\/h4>\n

Jamaica \u2013 Dear Claudienne, I have been exhausted, battered and bruised by officers of two commercial banks that I have been communicating with about their poor customer service on-line-portal\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

Image credits: Free-Photos (Pixabay<\/a>); \u00a0Wikipedia<\/a>; \u00a0Wikipedia<\/a>; \u00a0<\/em>Wikipedia<\/a>; \u00a0Guyana Chronicle<\/a>; \u00a0Wikipedia<\/a>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

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

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