A roundup of the latest ICT\/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 29 March  to Sunday 4 April 2021.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Monday, 29 March 2021<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas strengthens its cybersecurity capacity<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 The Bahamas has launched a project with ITU to set up a national Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT) to help protect the small island country\u2019s critical digital infrastructure and data\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flow introduces faster internet speeds<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

British Virgin Islands <\/em>\u2013 Telecommunications giant, Flow is now introducing faster internet speeds as well as family-type plans to local consumers\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bank of Jamaica announces prototype CBDC partner<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The Bank of Jamaica has chosen Irish firm eCurrency Mint to provide the technology for its prototype central bank digital currency (CBDC)\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digicel\/Microsoft supporting SMEs\u2019 increased adoption of cloud tech<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 As the global pandemic continues to highlight the need for increased digitalisation, more local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the manufacturing and service sectors are showing an increased level of interest in integrating digital technologies\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leadership, trust key to work-from-home project \u2013 C&W official<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Director of government, enterprise and IT solutions at C&W Business Jamaica Carol Robertson has underscored the importance of leadership and trust as essential to the success of work-from-home arrangements\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sagicor backs introduction of digital currency<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 With the recent announcements by the government for the launch of Jamaica\u2019s digital currency, Sagicor Group Jamaica has signalled its support for the initiative which is expected to bolster the local economy\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean digital currencies seen requiring new legislation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 Several Caribbean countries are implementing digital currencies, but full integration will require interoperability\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digital transformation accelerates smarter, more efficient industries<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 IN the historical moment in which humanity is immersed in the middle of a pandemic, information and communication technologies (ICT) play an especially important role in accelerating the process of digital transformation and supporting the recovery of the economy\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In tech we trust<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 IN a normal year, songs of praise echoed by Shouter Baptist congregations would fill churches and emit from gatherings across the islands. However, in these pandemic times, life has drastically changed\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Optimising a company\u2019s cybersecurity investment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 ADVANCEMENTS in technology have created unprecedented business opportunities for generating revenue, providing innovative products and services to customers, promoting distance learning, as well as fostering collaboration among friends, families, co-workers and other business associates\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Update: Flow says service is back, admits critical equipment failed<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 The telecommunications company, Flow, says it has restored full connectivity for customers who experienced problems with their broadband, TV and fixed voice services earlier on Monday\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tuesday, 30 March 2021<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This Caribbean Country Moves Towards Commercial Roll Out Of A Digital Currency<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 Another Caribbean country is moving closer to a commercial rolling out of its own digital currency this year\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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More Students Benefit from Flow Foundation, Sean Paul Foundation and Sandals Foundation Tablet Distribution Partnership<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Students from the Constant Spring Primary and Junior High and Greenwich Primary in Kingston and St. Andrew were among those to benefit from a second round of tablet distribution from the Sean Paul Foundation (SPF) in partnership with the Flow Foundation and the Sandals Foundation on March 23\u2026 mo<\/a>r<\/a>e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TelEm Group loading up electronics, other \u201ce-waste\u201d equipment for recycling.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sint Maarten <\/em>\u2013 TelEm Group and recycling partner, Cadwell, Inc. is busy filling a shipping container with old and broken electronic parts and equipment destined for recycling overseas\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wednesday, 31 March 2021<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas Telecom Market SWOT Analysis and Outlook Report to 2025<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 This comprehensive research- documentary on Bahamas Telecom market is a holistic perspective of market developments, factors, dynamics, trends and challenges that decide growth trajectory of market prognosis\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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#BTColumn \u2013 Am I alone in my online vision?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Barbados <\/em>\u2013 As I sat eating lunch yesterday, physically distanced from a group of women my age, I realised I was alone in my view of time and what the future holds in education\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Official Gazette made accessible to social media users<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 As part of steps to make the Official Gazette more accessible to the public, the Ministry of Legal Affairs has started publishing the document via social media\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ADVERTORIAL| Agile services delivery encourages high performance culture<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Agile Services Delivery, an approach that places the customer and individual front and centre, in the software delivery life cycle is being lauded by software experts as the framework that will drive efficiency, especially in the public sector\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CBDC explained<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 RECENTLY, Minister of Finance Dr Nigel Clarke announced that the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) would pilot its central bank digital currency (CBDC)\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PSOJ invests $1m in ENDS to support businesses during weekend curfews<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 As lead architect in the pilot of the E-commerce National Delivery System (ENDS), the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) said it has already invested about $1 million in funding to the project which also received technical support from some of its members\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raquel Seville, DATA QUEEN<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 \u201cWhen you come from behind, it tends to work out; it adds value to what you are providing and helps to build your track record,\u201d explains Raquel Seville\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ENDS justify the means<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The roll-out of a payment tool that can be used by not just established businesses, but also street vendors reminds us how the ends may justify the means. It is an intentional pun on the introduction of ENDS, an app to let money pass electronically between the customer and the vendor\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

VM Group sets pace with digital services<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 While other firms scrambled to become digital in the early days of the novel coronavirus pandemic, VM Group accelerated its digital road map to ensure that its members and customers weren’t disrupted by the sudden nature of the shift to the online business platform\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social $ense: Avoid social media mistakes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 Social media can make a marked difference in a company’s marketing; it is, in fact, a powerful tool\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Cable completes installation of FREE Wi-Fi in all Community Centers in St. Kitts in record time<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Saint Kitts and Nevis <\/em>\u2013 The Cable has completed the rollout of free Wi-Fi in all 17 community centers in St. Kitts, a week and a half ahead of schedule\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thursday, 1 April 2021<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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John Gomez promoted to CEO of Aliv<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 Aliv is keeping its promise to leave the company in Bahamian hands, promoting Cable Bahamas Limited\u2019s (CBL) Chief Operating Officer (COO) John Gomez to chief executive officer (CEO) of the mobile provider, with the departure of current CEO Damian Blackburn on April 30\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ann Marie Walter-Allen | To go digital, transform your mindset<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 In order to begin digitally transforming your organisation, there must be a commitment at the highest levels of leadership to look for opportunities that fundamentally change and improve how businesses operate and deliver value to customers\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bandwidth issues, US-dollar Internet packages weigh down schools<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 A number of schools are being forced to purchase expensive United States-dollar connectivity technology to maintain contact with students online as the island continues to deal with a high number of COVID-19 cases\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flow encourages small businesses to go digital as Gov’t launches the ENDS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 With the Government piloting its E-commerce National Delivery Solution (ENDS) last weekend, information, telecommunications and technology provider Flow Business Jamaica is encouraging the owners of small businesses to embrace digital opportunities for growth\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica Telecom Market SWOT Analysis and Outlook Report to 2025<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 This comprehensive research- documentary on Jamaica Telecom market is a holistic perspective of market developments, factors, dynamics, trends and challenges that decide growth trajectory of market prognosis\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eastern Caribbean dollar goes digital, a help for unbanked<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional<\/em> \u2013 The Eastern Caribbean has created its own form of digital currency meant to help speed transactions and serve people without bank accounts\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eastern Caribbean launches central bank digital currency pilot DCash<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional<\/em> \u2013 Yesterday the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) launched its central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilot, DCash. The Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) consists of eight islands, but the pilot will cover four of them, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis and Saint Lucia\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

D-Cash: SKN Among First to Get Digital EC Dollar<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Saint Kitts and Nevis <\/em>\u2013 The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) has officially launched the digital version of the EC dollar \u2013 or \u2018DCash\u2019\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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200 workers on breadline as TSTT cuts DirecOne deal <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago<\/em> \u2013 Some 200 DirecOne workers are now said to be facing the breadline following a decision by the majority State-owned Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) to end its contract with the company for the supply of call centre services\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communications Union wants TSTT to stop private contracts, use staff for call services<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago<\/em> \u2013 TSTT should use trained staff for call services rather than outsource the operations to private companies, Communications Workers Union general secretary Clyde Elder said on Thursday\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contracts not renewed: CWU concerned for DirecOne workers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago<\/em> \u2013 Communication Workers\u2019 Union (CWU) general secretary Clyde Elder says in these uncertain and tough economic times, it\u2019s difficult for 200 DirecOne workers who have been placed on the breadline\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Friday, 2 April 2021<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bitt Partners with ECCB to Develop World’s First Central Bank Digital Currency in a Currency Union<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 On 31 March, ‘DCash’, designed and developed by the international fintech company, Bitt, in partnership with the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), became the world’s first retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) to be publicly issued within a formal currency union\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DCash in 8 Caribbean islands by September, 50% less physical cash<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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Regional <\/em>\u2013 Barbados in partnership with the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) has created DCash for the Eastern Caribbean\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eastern Caribbean Central Bank blazes a trail with first digital currency<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 The Eastern Caribbean on Thursday became the first currency union central bank to issue digital cash, a move that comes as bigger monetary authorities such as the European Central Bank look at issuing their own electronic currencies\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 Saturday, 3 April 2021<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

How Jamaica failed to handle its JamCOVID scandal<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 As governments scrambled to lock down their populations after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared last March, some countries had plans underway to reopen. By June, Jamaica became one of the first countries to open its borders\u2026\u00a0more<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance to Launch New Website<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Regional\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) has launched its brand-new website. In a press statement released by the nonprofit nature conservation network created to safeguard nature in the Dutch Caribbean, DCNA gave various highlights on how its new website will facilitate information exchange not only between the members of the nature conservation network but also to the general public…\u00a0more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sunday, 4 April 2021<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Government increases ownership limit in RJR broadcast licences<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 The Government has formally approved an increase in the ownership limit of the broadcasting licences issued to Radio Jamaica Limited (RJR), thus paving the way for the company’s additional public offer (APO) slated for later this year\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health + Tech | Mobile phone access and software configuration<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 There are many telehealth services, platforms, and devices on the market today. Yet, telehealth can still be considered to be in its infancy\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image credits: rawpixel.com (Pexels<\/a>); Sagicor<\/a>; Wikimedia Commons<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a>; Aliv<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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