A roundup of the latest ICT\/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 26 October to Sunday 1 November 2020.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Monday, 26 October 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Antigua Launches Covid-19 Web Site<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Antigua and Barbuda <\/em>\u2013 The Ministry of Information, Broadcasting, Telecommunications & Information Technology (MIBTIT) has embarked on launching a user friendly COVID-19 Website\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bahamians Told: Cyber Crime ‘Not If, But When’<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 Bahamian companies and individuals have been urged to adopt the \u201cnot if, but when” approach to combating hacking and other cyber crimes by a senior Central Bank information technology (IT) official\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manderson: Online portal eases load for \u2018overwhelmed\u2019 Travel Cayman<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Cayman Islands<\/em> \u2013 The transfer of services from TravelTime to Travel Cayman \u2013 entities tasked with handling travel to and from Cayman \u2013 did not go smoothly, and the new operator became overwhelmed with applications, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson acknowledged Monday\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Students getting almost 3,000 laptops<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Cayman Islands <\/em>\u2013 A public-private sector initiative is working to provide 2,850 laptops to public-school students throughout Cayman\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5G offer from America<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The Jamaican Government is now studying a proposal from its American counterpart for a Fifth-Generation (5G) mobile technology service being rolled out here that would spare the island any costs associated with the investment\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gov’t should remove CET, lower GCT on digital devices<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Dear Editor, The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC), the Jamaica Manufacturers & Exporters Association (JMEA), the Business Process Outsourcing Industry of Jamaica (BPIAJ), the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), the Council of Voluntary and Social Services (CVSS), and the MSME Alliance are urging the Government of Jamaica to remove all duties and taxes on mobile and digital equipment, mobile phones, software, tablets, computers, and related accessories, peripherals and other digital devices for a period of at least 24 months\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

US warns Jamaica against Chinese 5G<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The United States has fired a shot across the bow of the Jamaican Government in relation to the installation of fifth generation (5G) mobile technology infrastructure, saying that any decision to engage China or a Chinese firm poses several risks to the island, particularly to the financial sector\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tuesday, 27 October 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Overseas digital suppliers need to be sensitized about Bahamian law, notes DPM<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 Commenting on the need for government to collect more tax revenue from overseas, online entities like Facebook and vacation home rental websites, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest said more has to be done to sensitize overseas suppliers of digital products to Bahamian law\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FirstBank reports cybersecurity breach! Services minimally affected<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

British Virgin Islands <\/em>\u2013 Another locally operated bank has reported a cybersecurity breach that affected a number of its services. However, the bank said, \u2018early detection\u2019 resulted in the quick resumption of some of the affected services\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online portal: Visitors must apply for BVI Gateway Certificate to enter<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

British Virgin Islands <\/em>\u2013 Persons wishing to travel to the British Virgin Islands when the territory reopens to tourism in December are required to apply through the government\u2019s newly-implemented online portal, BVI Gateway, to gain authorisation\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dominica government to borrow over $77 million for development of digital economy<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Dominica <\/em>\u2013 Government has obtained Parliamentary approval to borrow in excess of EC $77 million for the development of the digital economy in Dominica\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gov\u2019t to Complete Handover of 40,000 Tablets Next Week<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The Government will complete the distribution of 40,000 devices under the Tablets in Schools programme during the week of November 4\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Telecoms Industry \u2013 Key To Ja\u2019s Recovery And Growth<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 FLOW has been a steadfast partner in Jamaica\u2019s development for over 150 years. Beginning with the installation of the subsea cable near Holland Bay connecting Jamaica to Europe, which allowed Cable & Wireless to provide international telecommunications services, our commitment to supporting the progress of the people and economy of Jamaica is stronger now more than ever\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Urgent Need To Address Woes Of Online Learning<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 THE EDITOR, Madam:  Since the closure of schools in early March, bringing in its wake a switch from face-to-face to online learning, I have watched as the woes of the students taking online classes grow exponentially\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cable & Wireless Business Applauded by Frost & Sullivan for Excelling as the Fastest-growing Communication Service Provider in LATAM<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 Based on its recent analysis of the hosted IP telephony and unified-communications-as-a-service (UCaaS) market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Cable & Wireless Business (C&W Business) with the 2020 Latin American and Caribbean Hosted IP Telephony and UCaaS Growth Excellence Frost Radar Award\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Central bank digital currency in the Caribbean<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional<\/em> \u2013 What is central bank digital currency?  A notion that has faced much resistance now looks to be gaining momentum and possibly even traction in some parts of the world\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Huawei and CANTO Call for Collaboration to Develop ICT Talent in T&T<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional \u2013 CANTO Secretary General Teresa Wankin and Huawei T&T CEO Jeff Jin are calling on all stakeholders in the ICT sector to collaborate to develop critically needed ICT skills in T&T\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ePharm offers delivery via app as well as in-store service<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 ePharm, a pharmacy based in Central Trinidad, has created a safer environment for customers through its delivery service via its mobile app, in addition to its Freeport store which will be opening in November\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wednesday, 28 October 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Allison Philbert steps down as CEO of Digicel Jamaica<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Allison Philbert, CEO of Digicel Jamaica, has decided to step down from the role effective at the end of the year, it was announced Wednesday\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cashless, cardless, cordless purchasing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 TRANSFORMING to a more technology-centred organisation can be intimidating for some, however, the goals of the organisation should be the focus\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Educational Solution Takes Top Prize at CodeFest 2020<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 A team of five government employees, who designed an educational solution that seeks to ensure reliable connection for students, has emerged the winner of the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) CodeFest 2020 competition, taking the coveted cash prize of $400,000\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

H&L upgrades e-commerce platform<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 HARDWARE and Lumber Limited (H&L) will today launch its upgraded e-commerce platform in an effort to increase sales, expand customer service offerings and provide greater access to its products in store\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Have Zoom, will not travel<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 WE are living in extraordinary times, speeding down the information highway at the speed of 5G, heading to destinations both familiar and unknown\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Insurance engages digital strategy to grow revenues<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Key Insurance has touted digitisation and the boosting of operational efficiencies as major parts of its continuous turnaround strategy to improve revenues\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

RJRGLEANER Group successfully completes pilot for wireless triple play<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The RJRGLEANER Communications Group is one step closer to realising its wireless triple play ambitions\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scotiabank closing two branches, converting six others to digital<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Scotia Group Jamaica has announced that it will close two branches and convert six others to a digital operating model due to changes in consumer behaviour, which the bank says has been accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sagicor launches WhatsApp Channel in the region<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 Imagine a world where you can request a motor insurance quote, submit a medical claim, or get any information you need regarding your next insurance transaction, all via WhatsApp\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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E-waste an emerging threat to our marine environment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 In the aftermath of the World Health Orga\u00adnisation (WHO) declaring the dreadful Covid-19 virus a pandemic on March 11, information communication technologies (ICT) and the use of electronic devices and gadgets have skyrocketed in Trinidad and Tobago\u2026 mo<\/a>re<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TT on the digital road<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 When he set out the economic future of TT in the reading of the 2020\/2021 budget on October 5, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said the country’s development “must be anchored on the newly emerging digital model\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thursday, 29 October 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Scotiabank: 93% Of Transactions At Closing Sites Digital<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 Scotiabank (Bahamas) top executive yesterday said 93 percent of transactions at the five branches it plans to close are now being conducted over self-service or digital banking channels\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

New digital services in high demand<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Barbados <\/em>\u2013 Barbados has made progress towards digitizing its economy\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finance minister tells design sector to go digital<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 MINISTER of Finance and the Public Service Dr Nigel Clarke has urged the local design industry to harness digital technology as part of a wider push to have the country rebound from the economic ravages of COVID-19\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FLOW now paying RJRGLEANER Group for streaming free to air content<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The RJRGLEANER Communications Group has announced that telecommunications company, FLOW, has started to pay the group for streaming its free to air television content\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growth Tech still bullish on free Wi-Fi<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 TECHNOLOGY company Growth Tech Ltd has been forced to rethink its strategy after COVID-19 slashed, by up to 40 per cent, the number of Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) riders that use its free Wi-Fi service\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Huawei rejects claims that it poses a security threat to Jamaica<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The Chinese firm Huawei Technologies has rejected claims that it could be a threat Jamaica’s security if it is given the nod to roll out the country’s 5G technology\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JTA, student bodies back call for removal of taxes on digital devices<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA) has thrown its full support behind a call by several leading private sector organisations for the Government to remove all duties and taxes on devices such as laptops, tablets and mobile phones in a bid to increase online access to the most vulnerable students in the society, during the COVID-19 pandemic\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

US Ambassador Tapia Says Sorry For Controversial Tweets<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 United States (US) Ambassador Donald Tapia has apologised for controversial tweets made from his official Twitter account on Tuesday\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animae Caribe digitalco-operative launched<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 The Animae Caribe Festival, which is normally a highly interactive four-to-five-day experience, has been forced to adopt a few changes\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flow announces new small business plans<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional \u2013 Local businesses are in for a telecommunication boost with today\u2019s launch of \u2018Flow Business\u2019 and its simple, transparent, and customer-focused suite of products\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

St Kitts and Nevis\u2019 mobile health app ready as country preapres to reopen its borders<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Saint Kitts and Nevis <\/em>\u2013 As the twin-island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis move ahead to reopen its borders, Chief Medical Officer Dr Hazel Laws provided new information on the ongoing plans and protocols\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

T&T\u2019s Cyber Security Team reports increase in ransomware attacks<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 The Trinidad and Tobago Cyber Security Incident Response Team (TT-CSIRT) has observed a significant increase in ransomware attacks targeting local organizations\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Friday, 30 October 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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MOE\u2019s Tablets for High Schoolers are Here!<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 The first batch of the long awaited computer tablets are in country\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Government launches Cyber Security Public Education Campaign<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Cayman Islands <\/em>\u2013 The Cayman Islands Government, through the Ministry of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure (CPI), joined the rest of the international community in observing Cyber Security Awareness Month in October\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amber Enters Four More Markets With Pandemic Tech<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Technology firm Amber Group has secured a deal with four other Caribbean countries on what it describes as a tech tool for travel authorisation and border management, which includes the capability to track suspect coronavirus cases in quarantine\u2026 m<\/a>ore<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digicel Hunting New CEO As Philbert Set To Depart<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Digicel Jamaica is on the hunt for a new CEO, continuing the high turnover at the top that will see its sixth leader in eight years, with an average rotation of less than two years\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Education Ministry Launches \u2018One Laptop or Tablet Per Child\u2019 Initiative<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, on Thursday (October 29), officially launched its \u2018One Laptop or Tablet Per Child\u2019 initiative, which is designed to promote inclusivity in the education sector\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Huawei offers 12 Jamaican students online learning experience<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 TELECOM giants Huawei will be gifting a total of 12 students from The University of the West Indies (UWI) and the University of Technology (UTech) the chance to participate in the fourth staging of its annual ‘Seeds for the Future-SKY’ programme\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SafeToNet partners with Digicel to safeguard children in the Caribbean online<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 SafeToNet, one of the UK\u2019s leading safety tech companies, has partnered exclusively in the Caribbean with complete communications provider Digicel, in an exciting next step which furthers their mission to help raise a new, global, generation of safer digital citizens\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Legislation and policy decision key to achieving full digital transformation, says ICT Minister<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Saint Kitts and Nevis<\/em> \u2013 Minister of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), the Honourable Akilah Byron-Nisbett, said that it is important to review legislation and policies as they are key to achieving full digital transformation in St. Kitts and Nevis\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, tax tech giants<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 GABRIEL FARIA, TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce CEO on Thursday backed a Senator\u2019s call for foreign tech giants like Amazon and Google to pay taxes in TT where they undercut businesses such as the local media\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Saturday, 31 October 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gov\u2019t mulls plans for a universal service fund<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Antigua and Barbuda <\/em>\u2013 A long-term solution to offset costs associated with Internet access and use of devices in situations such as a pandemic, may soon be forthcoming\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Internet At Last For Wood Hall Primary<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Wood Hall Primary School Principal Elisa Craig was on vacation but could not miss Thursday\u2019s historic event to celebrate her institution finally getting Internet service after years of waiting\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

St Kitts and Nevis ICT Minister joins for 2020 Caribbean Economic Forum<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Saint Kitts and Nevis <\/em>\u2013 St Kitts and Nevis: Minister of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Akilah Byron-Nisbett, accompanied her regional and international counterparts on Tuesday, October 27, 2020, for the 5th Caribbean Economic Forum \u2013 How to Digitize an Economy\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sunday, 1 November 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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Image credits:  Gerd Altmann (Pixabay<\/a>);  Wikipedia<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a>; Haymarket<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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