{"id":156887,"date":"2021-03-15T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-15T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=156887"},"modified":"2021-03-14T18:05:02","modified_gmt":"2021-03-14T23:05:02","slug":"roundup-for-the-week-ending-14-march-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2021\/03\/roundup-for-the-week-ending-14-march-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Roundup: for the week ending 14 March 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A roundup of the latest ICT\/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 8 March to Sunday 14 March 2021.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Monday, 8 March 2021<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sir Franklyn: Is Data Protection Up To Challenge?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 A prominent businessman is questioning whether the government and private sector are doing enough to protect Bahamians\u2019 personal financial data from employee theft in a growing digital economy\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belize embarks on digital transformation with Apex<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 Digital transformation has come to Belize\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

House to tackle digital data bills<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

British Virgin Islands<\/em> \u2013 The first House of Assembly sitting of 2021 is scheduled to kick off this week with a packed agenda that includes a slew of bills in the digital sphere up for debate… more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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OfReg moves to regulate local IXPs<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Cayman Islands <\/em>\u2013 Following a public and industry consultation on the lack of internet exchange points (IXPs) in the Cayman Islands, OfReg, the utilities regulator, has revealed that it is creating a regulatory framework to pave the way for these local exchanges. OfReg said that it is in the public interest to regulate IXPs to protect local internet traffic and cut costs… more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ansord Hewitt | New perspectives on information and communication technology in the COVID-19 era<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 A significant positive correlation between a country\u2019s information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and its economic growth has long been the received wisdom\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Half of smallbiz yet to log on to e-commerce<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The few small enterprises that pivoted to online commerce since the pandemic, riding the wave of increased digital payments, are also finding it a more convenient way to do business, according to participants at \u2018Let\u2019s Go Digital\u2019, a virtual conference put on by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, PSOJ\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is the Jamaican government giving BPO investors the \u201cgreen light to disregard labour laws\u201d?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 With tens of thousands of jobs linked to the tourism sector lost due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Jamaican government has heralded the island\u2019s fast-expanding business process outsourcing (BPO) sector as a much-needed source of jobs\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SMA Request for Proposal Extended Until March 23<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 The Spectrum Management Authority (SMA) has extended the deadline for submission of the Requests for Proposal (RFPs) for licence in the 700 MHz Spectrum (Band 13) to March 23, 2021 at 1:00 p.m\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secretary General\u2019s Message International Women\u2019s Day 2021<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional<\/em> \u2013 International Women\u2019s Day 2021 continues to build on last year\u2019s theme of Generation Equality. This year, woman across the world stand in solidarity, raising ours hands to assert the right to #ChooseToChallenge gender inequality\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digicel customers get to access TTPS app for free<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 Local Digicel customers will be able to access the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service\u2019s (TTPS) feature on their app without depleting their data plans\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tuesday, 9 March 2021<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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RVIPF rolls out crime-mapping technology<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

British Virgin Islands <\/em>\u2013 The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has rolled out a system in which crime in the British Virgin Islands is mapped based on the geographical location where it occurs\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

UWI webinar to focus on online teaching<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 DEPUTY principal of The University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus Dr Francis Severin says, \u201cRegional development is set to face a significant setback with a recent UNICEF [United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund] report highlighting school closures affecting 98 million children throughout Latin America and the Caribbean\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growth after the storms across the Caribbean<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional<\/em> \u2013 Life has been challenging for Digicel, with earthquakes, hurricanes, financial troubles and now Covid. New CEO Oliver Coughlan tells Alan Burkitt-Gray that the company has a new strategy to build growth\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digicel SVG to celebrate 18 years as a telecoms company in SVG<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines <\/em>\u2013 Come March 24, 2021, Digicel SVG will celebrate 18 years as a telecommunications company here in St Vincent and the Grenadines\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digicel zero-rates TTPS app <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 The Police Service mobile app has now been zero-rated by Digicel which means Digicel customers can use the app without data, credit or a wireless connection\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DIGITAL AGE<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 MAKEDA Antoine-Cambridge brings unique experience, skills and perspective to her new role as business coach through Genesis International Ltd, which she founded and leads\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wednesday, 10 March 2021<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

CASHLESS PUSH: Digital payments provider calls for more education on digital wallets<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 A Bahamian digital payments provider yesterday acknowledged that more must be done to educate Bahamians on the use of digital wallets as this nation moves aggressively towards a cashless environment\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fintech Broker\/Dealers Expected To ‘Proliferate’<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 A Bahamian financial services executive yesterday said he expects a \u201cproliferation\u201d of new locally-owned broker\/dealers and investment advisers operating in the fintech (financial technology) space… more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parents urged to stop bashing teachers online<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

British Virgin Islands <\/em>\u2013 President of the BVI Teachers\u2019 Union, Tammy Henry has cautioned parents to refrain from bashing educators online as this negatively affects children\u2019s behaviour in the classroom\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A new BPO in Montego Bay \u2014 Segoso Caribbean<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Sequium Asset Solutions LLC, a privately held firm based in Marietta, Georgia, recently launched Segoso Caribbean, a business process outsourcing (BPO) nearshore outsourcing firm in Montego Bay\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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BOJ upgrading bank-watch IT platform<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The creation of a new integrated IT platform for the safe sharing of bank supervision information between the Bank of Jamaica, BOJ, and the deposit-takers that it regulates will get under way later this year\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Businesses urged to leverage technology in business transformation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Chief digital and marketing officer of NCB Group Nadeen Matthews Blair has challenged businesses to leverage the technologies implemented in their digital transformations to create a positive change in their business models and enhance customer experience\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digital currency by next year<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The Government says Jamaicans will have access to digital currency by next year as the Holness Administration advances on strategies to transform the nation into a digital society\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of coins and chains \u2014 Pt 1<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Over the past couple of weeks, local dialogue about the phenomenon that is bitcoin and, by extension, cryptocurrency and blockchain has seemingly escalated\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social $ense: Rules of engagement<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 If you are into social media, then there’s no question that you’ve heard the word ‘engagement’ before. No, it’s not the time for a wedding cake\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stacy Kirk, BRAND JAMAICA BELIEVER<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Stacy Kirk believes that a country like Jamaica with a well-known reputation and brand can and should produce technology to enhance the strength of Brand Jamaica\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TBR Lab aims to enhance growth potential of Caribbean startups<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 The online application process for TBR LAB is now open, bringing Caribbean startups one step closer to gaining unprecedented access to world-class instructors, seasoned mentors and potential investors\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Regional fintech WiPay Caribbean recruits former deputy BOJ governor as chairman<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 Regional fintech company WiPay Caribbean has recruited, with immediate effect, former Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) Deputy Governor Livingstone Morrison as chairman of its board of directors\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thursday, 11 March 2021<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

House passes data protection legislation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

British Virgin Islands<\/em> \u2013 A bill that legislators said will help bring government services into the 21st Century while protecting users\u2019 privacy passed the House of Assembly on March 5\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

New bill passed to boost electronic transfers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

British Virgin Islands<\/em> \u2013 A bill that would boost mobile commerce by regulating the electronic transfer of funds for both the public and private sectors passed unanimously Tuesday in the House of Assembly\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dominica\u2019s education minister weighs in on drone controversy<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Dominica<\/em> \u2013 Minister for Education, Octavia Alfred, has strongly condemned the actions of two men who it is alleged were flying a drone over the Prime Minister\u2019s residence in Morne Daniel last week\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica to Pilot CBDC Later This Year<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Jamaica is planning to launch a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in 2022\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

10 IT jobs available in T&T now<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 Information Technology (IT) has to do with the use of computers, networks and systems to create, process, secure, store, and transfer information\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TSTT reneges on early retirement offer:  Clerk seeks $1M from employer<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 A Telecommunications Services of T&T (TSTT) payroll clerk will learn the fate of her almost $1 million lawsuit against her employer, over it reneging on an offer of early retirement\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Friday, 12 March 2021<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

URCA and the ITU Partner to Provide Mobile Telecommunications Services to Islands impacted by Hurricane Dorian<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 Chief Executive Officer of the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA), Carlton Smith said URCA and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) each donated $30,000 for a combined total of $60,000 to provide complimentary mobile telecommunication services to residents impacted by the deadly Hurricane Dorian in Abaco and Grand Bahama\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

HOA passes promised suite of e-legislation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

British Virgin Islands<\/em> \u2013 A long-promised update to the legislative framework governing how the Virgin Islands conducts business online came through the House of Assembly over the past week as five related bills got the thumbs-up from legislators\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bank of Jamaica set to roll out digital currency by early 2022<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Minister of Finance and the Public Service Dr Nigel Clarke says that the Bank of Jamaica’s new Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) will be rolled out by early 2022\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BOJ hires outside tech services to assist with bank monitoring<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 It\u2019s been three years since the International Monetary Fund, IMF, recommended that Jamaica devise a more thorough risk-based method of supervising the banking system for a better picture of its financial health, detection of potential or… more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns over data purge of NIDS database<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The Jamaican Bar Association has raised concern that there is no provision in the current National Identification and Registration Act (NIRA) for an individual\u2019s data to be purged from the database if a cancellation is requested\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cyber risks, tax policies, top concerns for Caribbean CEOs \u2014 PwC survey<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Following the acceleration in digital transformation to offset the impact of novel coronavirus pandemic, coupled with the significant increase in cybersecurity incidents in 2020, cyber threats have become a major source of anxiety for Caribbean businesses\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digicel boost for SMEs<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 In an effort to improve Jamaica’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) prospects, Digicel has launched a package of measures to boost business recovery and help them take full advantage of fresh opportunities in e-commerce\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joel Allen | Enabling innovation critical for Jamaica\u2019s socio-economic development<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 It is time for Jamaica to focus on enabling innovation that significantly increases its economic output, permitting deeper cross-sector collaboration and increased high-value job creation\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Robinson blasts Gov\u2019t for upside-down logic in USF Wi-Fi spending cuts<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Opposition Spokesman on Finance Julian Robinson railed against a plan by the Universal Service Fund (USF) to outfit only two sites in each of the 63 constituencies across the island with Internet access in the 2021-2022 fiscal year\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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680 household to benefit from subsidized Internet<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines <\/em>\u2013 Six-hundred and eighty households and 2,900 students who received digital tablets from the government are expected to benefit from an initiative by the NTRC\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Internet service at physical classrooms being upgraded<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines <\/em>\u2013 When students and teachers in St Vincent and the Grenadines return to physical classrooms, they should experience a faster and more efficient Internet service\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fast Internet for the Grenadines delayed<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines <\/em>\u2013 The provision of proper broadband services to residents of the Grenadines is being held up, by among other things, negotiations with Digicel over rates for use of the undersea cable that connects St Vincent and Grenada to the Grenadines\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Saturday, 13 March 2021<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Flow may increase landline costs, but not more than 3 per cent<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Barbados <\/em>\u2013 Barbadians could end up paying more for their landline service from Cable & Wireless (Barbados) Limited (C&W) in the future\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prepaid FLOW calls to cost more<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Barbados <\/em>\u2013 Some Flow Barbados customers will have to start paying slightly more for talking on their mobile prepaid phones at the end of this month\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Homeschooling or remote learning during COVID-19<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 THE EDITOR, Madam:  Through my observations I have realised that there exists a growing demand to establish home schools, due to the COVID-19 pandemic\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

More Tablets Donated to Support Students\u2019 Online Learning Needs<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Saint Lucia <\/em>\u2013 The recent call to action by the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, Janet Yellen, to the G-20 for a new issue of IMF Special Drawing Rights (SDR)\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sunday, 14 March 2021<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mastercard, Dynamics Payments launch financial technology solution<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Mastercard has teamed up with payment processing technology compan Dynamics Payments, to launch an application (app) which will increase financial inclusion for the Caribbean region\u2026 more<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scotia Group to expand digital offerings<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Scotia Group Jamaica, operator of the country\u2019s second largest commercial bank, will deepen its investment in digital services this year and is weighing the prospect of what the virtual currency being developed by the central bank could mean for business\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image credits: The Blue Diamond Gallery<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a>; Jamaica Information Service<\/a>; Trinidad and Tobago Newsday<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a>; <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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