A roundup of the latest ICT\/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 31 August to Sunday 6 September 2020.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Monday, 31 August 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Antigua & Barbuda to introduce tracking bracelets for persons quarantining at home<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Antigua and Barbuda\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Quarantine violation has become a major headache for the Antigua and Barbuda government, so much that they have decided to place tracking devices on all those in isolation\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Third undersea cable pointless, says C&W<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Cayman Islands<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 Cable & Wireless, part of the consortium of members that use and operate the existing undersea telecommunications cables that keep the Cayman Islands connected to the rest of the world, has said that plans by government to sink a third undersea cable are unnecessary\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Jamaica\u00a0<\/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\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘Tech City’ For Portmore If JLP Re-Elected, Says Holness<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 Prime Minister Andrew Holness says he has plans to build a \u201ctech city\u201d in Portmore, St Catherine, to move forward the country’s ambitions of becoming a digital society\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Town and Country advances digitisation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 The Ministry of Planning and Development says today marks another major achievement for the digitisation of its Town and Country Planning Division (TCPD) as several more regional corporations have been completely digitised\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tuesday, 1 September 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

JAMPRO and GSAJ welcome extension of BPO work from home facility<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 JAMPRO and The Global Services Association of Jamaica (GSAJ) are welcoming Nigel Clarke’s decision to extend the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector’s work from home facility\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number porting must be done at telecoms outlet, warns OUR<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) is appealing to telecommunications customers to be vigilant when porting their telephone numbers to another service provider, by ensuring that operators follow the established protocols for the porting process\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean telecom sector revenue affected by COVID-19<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Given the relative lack of economic diversity within the Caribbean, the telecoms sector accounts for a higher proportion of GDP in most markets in the region than is common elsewhere\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fintech and the securities market<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 IN the past two articles, the Trinidad and Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission discussed six of the 12 considerations related to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) \u2013 The Bali Fintech Agenda\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wednesday, 2 September 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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BTC \u201cahead of the curve\u201d on increased bandwidth demand<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Bahamas Telecommunication\u2019s Company (BTC) executives said yesterday the company is \u201cslightly ahead\u201d of the curve on bandwidth demand, having increased network capacity by some 25 percent since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barbados moves to digital ID cards<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Barbados\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 The Barbados Digital ID and National ID Card Replacement Project officially started with the signing of a contract between the Ministry of Innovation Science and Smart Technology (MIST) and Productive Business Solutions (PBS) (Barbados) Ltd\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best tech sellers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Companies selling technology goods have seen a steady increase in sales as people move to work from home and children study online. A visit to any of the stores selling computers and accessories around Kingston and other city centres will confirm the increased demand\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Data security is everybody’s business<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Over the past decades, we have read reports of data breaches at some of the world’s most famous companies with millions of customer accounts hacked, raising concerns about the safety of online shopping services\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exceptional Young Leader \u2014 Craig Powe<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Online marketing is essential, not just because it he lps businesses boost their online visibility, but also because it can change the way potential customers perceive a particular business. This is an area which demands specialised expertise\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JLP: No More Shift Schools, Better Internet Connectivity<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is planning to expand investments in digital technologies within the education sector while ensuring that teachers and students are equipped with the knowledge, mindset, and tools to thrive in the digital age should it form the next Government\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PSOJ takes digital lead<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Before the start of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) unveiled its two-year strategy to support growth and sustainable economic development. One critical pillar of the PSOJ’s strategy is innovation and digital transformation, deemed necessary due to the lack of digital innovation in both the public and private sectors\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

RADA encourages youth to embrace technology in agriculture<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is encouraging more young people to consider career opportunities in agriculture, through the use of technology\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Work from home part of the future \u2014 Wayne Chen<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 As\u00a0the novel coronavirus pandemic continues to impact businesses across the globe, some stakeholders are indicating that remote working may very well become a semi-permanent fixture in the future of work\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you ready for the 5G revolution?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Let’s get past the spurious claims that 5G is a hidden demon coming out of cell towers and invading our brains, causing untold damage. Instead, look at the revolution which has occurred in the cellphone sphere over the past decade\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Distance Learning to continue until further notice.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sint Maarten\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Rodolphe Samuel announced on Wednesday during the Council of Ministers press briefing that due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Annual Sport & Creative Industries Open House, will be presented as a virtual online event, via the Facebook pages of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, the Department of Sports and the Department of Culture, on September 14th, 2020 at 10 am\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporate TT ready to help students get online<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Corporate TT is ready and willing to assist students with the resources needed for the virtual reopening of schools\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thursday, 3 September 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Digitization of client services underway at DOSS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Representatives of the Information Technology and Communication Unit of the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development began the digital transformation of client information\/services at the Department of Social Services (DOSS) on Thursday (August 27) with the capturing of updated client information and the onboarding of clients of the Pitt Road, Wulff Road, Robinson Road and Fox Hill Community Support Services Centres\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Covid19, education, technology \u2013 the way forward<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 The covid19 pandemic has forced our educational institutions to change from face-to-face classes to online instruction (The Gleaner, 2020; UNESCO, 2020). This is accompanied by wider use of WhatsApp, e-mails and other digital applications to provide course materials and information to learners. These strategies will most likely continue in varying degrees, when the crisis ends\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NHC introduces ePay as additional payment option<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Saint Kitts and Nevis\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 The National Housing Corporation (NHC) has introduced ePay, an online platform to make it easier for its homeowners to pay their mortgages and land loans\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conquerors tops girls power tech<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 THE winners of the Digicel TT Foundation\u2019s Hackathon, the Ryu Dan Dojo Conquerors, presented a concept of using mixed realities to enable secondary school students to attend school virtually from their homes. Their project will be developed by Digicel as part of their prize winnings\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Envisioning a path to T&T\u2019s Digital Society<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Jarrod Placide-Raymond, Head of Web Development, Royalty Club, wrote and published this essay charting considerations for a Digital Society for Trinidad and Tobago this week on Medium. He graciously gave permission for the reproduction of the work on this website\u2026\u00a0m<\/a>o<\/a>re<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online learning, the future<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Schools reopened this week, but the teaching\/learning will be online for those who have at home both the access to telecommunications and the digital devices that can receive this instruction\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nominate a champion of business technology<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Today\u2019s business world is a digitally connected one. Companies must constantly re-invent themselves and their products, delivering goods and services that are personally relevant to consumers, yet meaningfully different from the competition\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trini US-based inventor: Why TT needs data and innovators<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Patrick Hosein is homesick. When he speaks you can hear the wistfulness in his voice\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Friday, 4 September 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cable Bahamas Accepts Payment Via Mobileassist<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Cable Bahamas has become the second utility company to accept bill payments via the MobileAssist app, the latter announced yesterday\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local web developer launches site for curbside, takeout and delivery needs<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 With the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions giving rise to more curb side and food delivery options, a local web developer has launched a site designed to assist consumers in finding the services they desire\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Internet: Does Cayman need a third subsea cable?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Cayman Islands\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 As COVID-19 has prompted government to put tech at the centre of Cayman\u2019s economic recovery with its smart island initiative, some of the topics taking centre stage are internet costs, speed and accessibility\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean broadcasters call for suspension of fees<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 MEMBERS of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) are appealing to media policymakers and regulators across the region for two forms of relief during the Covid-19 pandemic\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imbert: Taxes removed on computers, laptops and tablets<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Government has removed all taxes on laptops, computers, notebook computers and tablet computers with immediate effect\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Saturday, 5 September 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cyber-Sovereignty and Guyana<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 In its most recent avatar of its future areas of focus, the now opposition APNU+AFC Coalition has floated, without details, the concept of the Digital State\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taxes removed from laptops, Imbert tweets<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 LAPTOPS sourced both locally and abroad are exempt from taxes, with immediate effect, Minister of Finance Colm Imbert has announced\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sunday, 6 September 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

4000 free online courses available to Guyanese<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 The Ministry of Education has announced the provision of free access to 4,000 certified online courses, following a partnership with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL)\u2026\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image credits: Omni Matryx\u00a0(Pixabay<\/a>);; Brands of the World<\/a>; The Eleutheran<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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