A roundup of the latest ICT\/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 24 August to Sunday 30  August 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Monday, 24 August 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

URCA ends public consultation on Bahamas IXP<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) said it \u201cwas not surprised\u201d that the country\u2019s two largest communications companies had cast doubt on its case for developing a local Internet Exchange Point (IXP)\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technology and innovation could help reform the way we mov<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Cayman Islands <\/em>\u2013 The absence of bumper-to-bumper traffic was one of the features of life during the pandemic that many Cayman Islands residents enjoyed. With business and school life starting to return to something like normal, the roads are beginning to clog up with cars once again. The latest instalment of our Cayman 2.0 series examines ideas for how to reform public transport\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Government working with providers to ensure internet access for all learning institutions \u2013 Octavia Alfred<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Dominica<\/em> \u2013 Education Minister Octavia Alfred says the government has been working with service providers to ensure that all learning institutions in Dominica have internet access\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica\u2019s Caricel denied judicial review of licence revocation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Symbiote Investments, which provides services in Jamaica as Caricel, has been refused permission to appeal a decision by the country\u2019s Court of Appeal that revoked its operating licences\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ministry considers laptops for online classes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago<\/em> \u2013 The Ministry of Education is currently considering a proposal to Cabinet to purchase laptops for students to assist with online classes\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tuesday, 25 August 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Online-only classes for first term of the new school year as students among current COVID cases<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

British Virgin Islands <\/em>\u2013 With school-aged children being among the territory\u2019s latest positive COVID-19 cases, the Education Minister Dr Natalio Wheatley has announced that the first term of the 2020\/2021 academic school year will be strictly online for all private and public schools\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Authorities launch internet speed tester to protect consumers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Cayman Islands <\/em>\u2013 OfReg has launched an independent speed test system, to support and further enhance the internet infrastructure in the Cayman Islands\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guyana Telecommunications Market 2020: Industry, Size, Share, Demands, Growth, Opportunities, Trends Analysis and Forecast Till 2025<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 The Guyana Telecommunications report \u2013 8th series from OGAnalysis provides a complete view of the Guyana telecom ecosystem along with trends and growth factors shaping the future of the market\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Haitel: The Giant That Could Not Survive A President\u2019s Pettiness And The Collapse Of Society<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Haiti <\/em>\u2013 Thirteen years ago, Haitel\u2019s marketing team was already in the vicinity of Gel\u00e9e, the famous beach in Les Cayes on the south side of Haiti\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tech guy, Nicholas Francis, turns inventor<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 Nicholas Francis makes his living solving other people\u2019s problems\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wednesday, 26 August 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UG\u2019s first semester will be online<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 The University of Guyana has advised that due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19, the institution will continue to work in safe mode online with essential services being performed on the university\u2019s campuses\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Is Haiti Missing Out On 5G Internet?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Haiti <\/em>\u2013 Like many countries, Haiti is yet to embrace what 5G mobile connections have to offer. In fact, in many cases, we\u2019re still behind on even 4G integration\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digital Transactions To Get Big Push<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 A major investment in the country\u2019s digital payment platform allowing for real-time transactions is one of the major planks of the Jamaica Labour Party\u2019s (JLP) commitments if it prevails in the September 3 general election\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digitisation could drastically improve efficiency of the health care sector<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 In this post-pandemic era, we continue to witness the rise of all things digital and the implementation of software in everyday life. This new reality, while frightening to some, truly has limitless possibilities\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digitisation Leader \u2014 Krishna Singh<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Mayberry Investments Limited has digitised its operations so existing clients may be kept abreast of account activity, while those hoping to become new ones will be able to complete the process using the company’s app\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Financial sector moves to digitise operations<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 As the world moves towards more digital transactions, commercial banks, deposit taking institutions and independent companies have begun to offer more Visa- and Mastercard-enabled solutions to the Jamaican public. This digital development has come despite a fairly low digital presence in the country, which is being highlighted during the present COVID-19 period\u2026 more<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initial public offerings (IPO) slowly but surely moving to the digital platform<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 Before COVID-19 even touched the shores of Jamaica, several brokerage firms were moving towards enhanced digital means to process capital market raises which are typically initial public offerings (IPO)\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Microsoft talks strategy for a covid19 world<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional<\/em> \u2013 Microsoft’s Partner Summit went virtual this year, moving the intensive engagement with its network of developers and vendors to a potentially more accessible virtual event\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The disabled are more than tech able<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 Much the same way that exploration of outer space is providing the world with everyday benefits, integrating the disabled into everyday life is also generating new techniques even for the able-bodied among us\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A DIGITAL WORLD: THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIGITAL JOURNALISTS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 Traditional media companies and journalist must adapt in order to remain relevant and profitable in a digital world\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Analogue mindsets and digital language<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 I know. I know. The headline reads like an introduction to the thesis of a techno-snob, which I am not. In fact, as a child of the analogue era, I am instinctively drawn to digital technology as the outcome of a bridge crossed. A language interpreted. A frame repositioned. An arduous journey into new territory\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instal, update, reboot<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 THE NEW Ministry of Public Administration and Digital Transformation is a step in the right direction. But it must be more than simply a tweak of a longstanding Cabinet portfolio\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thursday, 27 August 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

School aged COVID-19 positive cases force BVI schools back online<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

British Virgin Islands <\/em>\u2013 Education Minister Natalio Wheatley has announced that all British Virgin Islands students will return to online learning beginning as early as next week when classes resume at private schools\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digicel Expands LTE Network To Enable More Online Learning, Remote Working<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 With more Jamaicans turning to the Internet for online learning, telecommunications company Digicel says it has increased access to connectivity outside the classroom through the recent expansion of its high-speed LTE mobile data network to over 100 rural towns\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Researcher tells J’can software development firms to level up<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 JAMAICAN software development firms must aim for at least a tier-three ranking to be able to attract global contracts\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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TelEm Group taking major steps to facilitate virtual learning environment in St. Maarten schools.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sint Maarten <\/em>\u2013 St. Maarten\u2019s primary telecommunication provider, TelEm Group, is responding positively to its new role in the St. Maarten community – Virtual classroom provider\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryu Dan Dojo Conquerors win Digicel Foundation’s Girls Power Tech<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 The Ryu Dan Dojo Conquerors are the 2020 winners of the Digicel Foundation\u2019s Girls Power Tech Hackathon\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Friday, 28 August 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Phishing attacks increase daily \u2014 says police<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 Since the onset of the COVID-19 lockdowns across the country police have seen reported incidents of phishing attacks increase \u2018daily\u2019 according to a senior police investigator\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

UB faculty agree to bigger online classes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 Union if Tertiary Educators of The Bahamas (UTEB) president Daniel Thompson said faculty had agreed to expand the size of online classes being offered at the University of The Bahamas (UB)\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Distance learning the new reality<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 The 2020-2021 school year will, at least for that year, be a starkly different one when compared to previous years. Because of the coronavirus which has ravaged the world, social distancing has become the new norm\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flash drive man arrested as election fraud probe deepens<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 As the police probe into the alleged fraud surrounding the March 2nd General and Regional elections widens, Information Technology (IT) officer Enrique Livan who was at the centre of a flash drive controversy at the Ashmins building on march 4th was yesterday arrested by the police\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Banking on the unbanked in a digital era<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica \u2013 The Global Findex database provides more than 200 indicators on topics such as account ownership, payments, saving, credit, and financial resilience. It shows that 515 million adults worldwide opened an account at a financial institution or through a mobile money provider between 2014 and 2017. This means that 69 per cent of adults now have an account, up from 62 per cent in 2014 and 51 per cent in 2011\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barita launches BOSS online platform to enhance APO<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 Barita Investments Limited (BIL) has launched an online web portal to support its now opened additional public offering (APO). The web portal allows potential investors convenience and greater efficiency in providing Barita clients and non-clients a quicker way to process offers\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PNP willing to grant subsidy to close digital divide<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 CO-DIRECTOR of the People’s National Party (PNP) 2020 election campaign Peter Bunting says a PNP Administration will not allow telecommunications service providers to dictate the market for the provision and expansion of high-speed, affordable Internet\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ECLAC calls for universal, affordable Internet access<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional<\/em> \u2013 The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) on Wednesday called on regional countries to ensure universal connectivity and the affordability of digital technologies in order to address the impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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65,000 pupils have no digital access: Govt appeals for devices<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 The Ministry of Education is pleading with Corporate Trinidad for assistance as the new school term signals a pivot to digital learning\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Govt asks Corporate T&T to help 65,000 students access online learning<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 Days ahead of the opening of the new school term, Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly is appealing to corporate T&T to assist students who do not have access to devices or the internet to participate in online learning\u2026 mor<\/a>e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Saturday, 29 August 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Nil \u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sunday, 30 August 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Roseau Central Constituency Gifts Laptops to its Student<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Dominica <\/em>\u2013 Approximately 91 students were gifted laptops from the Roseau Central Constituency.  Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau Constituency, Mellissa Skerrit made the presentation to parents and students entering high school and college on Thursday evening at the Windsor Park Stadium\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digicel expands LTE footprint to enable more online learning, remote working<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 With more Jamaicans turning to the Internet for online learning, Digicel is increasing access to connectivity outside the classroom through the recent expansion of its high-speed LTE mobile data network to over 100 rural towns\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image credits: NS Newsflash<\/a> (flickr); Wikipedia<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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