A roundup of the latest ICT\/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 13 September to Sunday 19 September 2021.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Monday, 13 September 2021<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Digital training for teachers in barbados & T&T<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Barbados<\/em> \u2013 Two hundred teachers from Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago are currently engaged in training to enhance their digital skills in education to better respond to the challenges of the COVID-19 environment and reach their charges\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dominican public encouraged to help bring seniors into digital age<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Dominica <\/em>\u2013 In a world that is rapidly being transformed by the accelerated advancement of digital technologies, the President of the Dominica Council On Ageing (DCOA) has sounded a call to the public to assist in empowering older people to make use of these technologies\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BOJ not using blockchain for CBDC could have far-reaching implications<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 The Caribbean Blockchain Alliance (CBA) has cautioned the Jamaican authorities that not using blockchain technology in the planned Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) could have far-reaching implications\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digicel Business, Trend Media, Microsoft present #TransformCaribbean<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 Digicel Business and Trend Media are partnering with Microsoft Caribbean to deliver #TransformCaribbean: Disaster Preparedness with the Cloud in Barbados, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago on September 22, 2021, from 10am to 11:30am EST… more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flow expands fibre-fast network<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em> – Telecommunications firm FLOW said that it has connected more than 420 communities to its fibre-fast network since January 2020… more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Special needs students grappling with online modality<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 With the restart of virtual classes for the new academic year, students with special needs are among those who continue to grapple with learning challenges\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tuesday, 14 September 2021<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

EZPAY now available on Payce Digital Mobile App<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Barbados<\/em> \u2013 The Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Smart Technology (MIST) is excited to partner with Payce Digital, formerly Cave Shepherd Card., to continue to drive innovation in the digital payments space in Barbados… more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anglin is The UWI\u2019s Data Protection Officer<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has appointed Dr Patrick Anglin as the University Data Protection Officer, with effect from August 1, 2021\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grenada PM to launch Caricom Digital Skills Task Force<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell, will on Wednesday launch the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Digital Skills Task Force during a virtual meeting, the Guyana-based Caricom Secretariat has announced… more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WhatsApp will stop working on some phones this November<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 Starting in November, the popular messaging service WhatsApp will stop working on a number of Android and iOS devices due to an upcoming update in the app\u2019s software requirements, Business Insider reports\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Dem nah learn nothing\u2019<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 Eighteen months after the COVID-19 pandemic threw the education sector into disarray after the first case of the coronavirus was confirmed on the island, some parents are concerned that their children remain at a disadvantage as their inability to access online classes means they are being left behind\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growth & Jobs | Remittances assist in purchase of devices for online learning<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL period, late July to early September, is normally a busy one for Marsha Lewis. During that period, the 32-year-old entrepreneur uses the funds her mother sends from overseas to purchase school supplies for her two siblings\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Internet Service from Barbados-Based Company, Neptune Communications, Available in Jamaica soon<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 A new internet service company has launched its operations in Jamaica. The firm\u2019s priority is reliable connectivity for cloud users, said Neptune Communications CEO Julian Jordan. Its portfolio of products will also include online security solutions… more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparing Jamaica for the 4^{th<\/sup><\/h4>\n\n\n\n}

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 THE fourth industrial revolution is fast approaching and Jamaica must be ready for the opportunities that will present themselves. Under this new world we will see an increase in automation and the use of more sophisticated technology that will need little to no human intervention\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Senior citizens embrace digital education programmes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Scores of seniors are among the thousands of Jamaicans now engaged in the Flow Foundation’s Digital Education Programme. more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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St Lucia will provide 4,000 laptops to students in need<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Saint Lucia<\/em> \u2013 St Lucia is all set to reopen schools virtually from today (Monday) due to the ongoing crisis of COVID-19 in the region. About 4,000 laptops will be provided to students in need, announced Education Minister Shawn Edwards\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TATT to manage crippled Cumberland Hill<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 THE Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago will control access to and maintenance of the upper part of Cumberland Hill, above Fort George, the site of most of this country’s major private and public electronic transmitters\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wednesday, 15 September 2021<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Building a future-proof workforce<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 Answers will vary based on the respondent’s perspective. Some will say that the past is simply that \u2014 the past \u2014 and that relishing bygone events in excess is a trap that only serves to keep us psychologically regressed\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elizabeth Morgan | Trade in services \u2013 Business Process Outsourcing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 As countries in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have been seeking to diversify and grow their economies, as previously indicated, the focus is on export of services. I have dealt with tourism and cultural and creative services in my last two articles\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caricom Secretary General urges governments and private sector to work together for digital inclusion<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretary General, Dr Carla Barnett, has stressed the need for digital inclusion and proliferating digital skills across Caricom in a comprehensive, strategic manner… more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Great ideas: It’s all about execution<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica \u00a0<\/em>\u2013 The dawn of the one-person startups and the proliferation of technology incubators, accelerators and unicorns has created both opportunities and challenges for medium to large organisations seeking to use technology as a strategic advantage\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

High demand for tech solutions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 \u201cThe take up in embracing technologies is high!\u201d Those words were said by business systems analyst at MC Systems, Toussaint Stewart, who explained that adversity and disruption have become drivers for innovation and technology adoption. more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JAMPRO secures new outsourcing operator in Jamaica<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) has secured business process outsourcing (BPO) operator, Ventrica, to join the country’s growing Global Digital Services sector\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Makings of a digital society \u2014 education<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 IN our introductory article, we outlined nine critical components of a digital society: Digital Etiquette, Digital Access, Digital Law, Digital Communication, Digital Literacy, Digital Commerce, Digital Rights & Responsibilities, Digital Privacy & Security, Digital Health & Wellness. more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thursday, 16 September 2021<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Prime Minister and SMART defend Microsoft business to Chamber<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Belize<\/em> \u2013 Prime Minister John Briceno continues to deflect criticism that the government is diverting business away from Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) in favor of Smart\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digicel Taps Sandvine for Multimillion-Dollar Application and Network Intelligence Expansion to Accelerate Digital Services<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 Sandvine, a leading provider of cloud-based application and network intelligence solutions, announced that it has been awarded a multimillion-dollar order from Digicel, which last year relaunched as a fully Digital Operator providing personalized digital experiences with suites of applications for on-the-go sports, music, news, local radio, podcasts, and messaging\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Execs share their vision for the future of tech in the Caribbean<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 From contactless payments to self-driving cars to the race to space, technology is advancing at a rapid pace… more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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GuySuCo evaluating use of drone technology<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 As part of its efforts at modernising the sugar industry with the use of e-smart agricultural initiatives, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has embarked on an evaluation of the use of drone technology while also aiming to attract youths to the industry\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IGT coding and robotics camp give youth a tech boost<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago \u2013<\/em> The first staging of the IGT Coding and Robotics Rock! Camp engaged youth participants from the International Game Technology (IGT) After School Advantage (ASA) Centers in Trinidad and Tobago, who are now better equipped with introductory tech skills… more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Friday, 17 September 2021<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

CREDIT UNION DONATES TABLETS FOR 35 STUDENTS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Barbados <\/em>\u2013 The University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus Co-operative Credit Union Ltd. is ensuring that students are equipped with the necessary technology to function in the new online teaching and learning environment\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scotiabank Cayman awarded \u201cBest Consumer Digital Bank 2021\u2033<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Cayman Islands <\/em>\u2013 Scotiabank Cayman has been named the \u201cBest Consumer Digital Bank 2021\u201d by Global Finance (New York), which regularly selects the top performers among banks and financial services and is a trusted standard of excellence for the global financial community\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digicel Business and Microsoft Caribbean offer free disaster preparedness webinar<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 Digicel Business and Trend Media are partnering with Microsoft Caribbean to deliver #TransformCaribbean: Disaster Preparedness with the Cloud in Barbados, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago on September 22nd, 2021, from 10am to 11:30am EST\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cuba building out IT ecosystem<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Cuba <\/em>\u2013 Cuba is building out its information technology (IT) ecosystem leveraging its world regarded model on knowledge and intellectual assets in its build out. more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Government Begins Onboarding Of Schools To Fibre Infrastructure<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 The Government has started the on-boarding of 360 schools that are in close proximity to its fibre infrastructure\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IBEX reports record growth despite COVID challenge<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 IBEX Limited, a global provider in business process outsourcing (BPO) and end-to-end customer engagement technology solutions, on September 15 announced financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2021\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online recruitment and professional networking platform launched<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 An online platform where employers and thousands of job seekers in Jamaica can contact each other has been launched. more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Productive Business Solutions deepens talent pool with acquisition<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 hief executive officer (CEO) of Productive Business Solutions (PBS), Pedro Paris shared that the recent acquisition of PBS Technology Group (PBSTG) not only increased the footprint of the company in Latin America and the Caribbean, but also deepened its talent pool, which is a major driver of its growth\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proven Wealth to follow US clearing house into cryptocurrency trades<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Brokerage firm Proven Wealth Limited says it is weighing the possibility of adding cryptocurrency trading for clients to its suite of products, signalling a major shift for the company and the wealth management industry in Jamaica\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tech firm banks on new data law, foreign market for revenue growth<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Technology company tTech Limited is looking abroad and to coming regulation for revenue growth. CEO Chris Reckord says the company wants to increase revenue and boost profit through overseas relationships and industry needs that will arise from the Data Protection Act, now waiting for an effective date to become operation\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connecting world means connecting small islands too<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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Saint Kitts and Nevis <\/em>\u2013 The last time I went on an official visit to a small island developing state (SIDS) was to St Kitts and Nevis to attend a Caribbean Telecommunications Union regional ministerial. It was pre-pandemic, and already then, I encouraged the participants to take advantage of the remote participation option \u2013 to join ITU meetings at little cost… more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Cable imparts a lesson of corporate generosity to the Ministry of Education<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Saint Kitts and Nevis <\/em>\u2013 Teachers and students of Primary and Secondary schools in St. Kitts are returning to top-tier internet service at their respective schools, compliments The Cable\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FLOW services fully restored in communities above the Dry River<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Saint Vincent and Grenadines <\/em>\u2013 Telecommunications provider Flow said it has completed restoration of its services in communities north of the Rabacca Dry River following the explosive eruptions of La Soufri\u00e8re Volcano in April\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NTRC launches iCode784 competition<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Saint Vincent and Grenadines <\/em>\u2013 The innovations of today\u2019s world that allow for society to function virtually amidst a pandemic is proof that new ideas can and will continue to change how effectively tasks can be carried out\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Saturday, 18 September 2021<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Scotiabank Bahamas awarded \u201cBest Consumer Digital Bank 2021\u201d<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 Scotiabank Bahamas has been named the \u201cBest Consumer Digital Bank 2021\u201d by Global Finance (New York), which regularly selects the top performers among banks and financial services and is a trusted standard of excellence for the global financial community… more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tech Depot \u2013 The best in mobile and accessories<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Saint Lucia<\/em> \u2013 Tech Depot is one of the first mobile accessories stores on the island. Founded many years ago, the company is dedicated to enhancing everyone\u2019s technological experiences and providing excellent customer service as well as accurate and useful product advice to customers… more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Living in IT hell in Trinidad and Tobago<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago<\/em> \u2013 In this column, I recently wrote about the pointlessness of comparing Bajans and Trinis… more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sunday, 19 September 2021<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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E-Networks is expanding its fiber optic network to Linden<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana<\/em> \u2013 Networks Inc. \u2013 Guyana\u2019s only locally owned telecommunications provider \u2013 announced that it is currently building a fiber optic cable from Georgetown to Linden. This move is the latest in a series of milestones the company has achieved in massively expanding its network to bring better services to more people… more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A ‘Flow’ of problems<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Dear Claudienne, My complaint is about the utter failure of Flow’s customer service. I do not think this is due to the COVID-19 crisis but is deep in the Flow business culture\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FEE-FI-FO-FUM<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Wireless broadband is like a roadway which carries radio signals. The connection of the signal from receiver point to receiver point constitutes the Internet\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready for digital transformation?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 I recently visited the US, and while checking in at the airport to return home, I observed several Jamaicans being denied boarding by the agent because of insufficient documentation... more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Living in IT hell in Trinidad and Tobago<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago<\/em> \u2013 In this column, I recently wrote about the pointlessness of comparing Bajans and Trinis\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image credits: Jon S<\/a> (flickr); Facebook<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a>; Wikimedia Commons<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a>; E-Network<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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