{"id":168207,"date":"2023-04-10T06:15:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-10T11:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=168207"},"modified":"2023-04-10T07:45:47","modified_gmt":"2023-04-10T12:45:47","slug":"roundup-for-the-week-ending-9-april-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2023\/04\/roundup-for-the-week-ending-9-april-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Roundup:\u00a0 for the week ending 9 April 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A roundup of the latest ICT\/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 3 April to Sunday 9 April 2023.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Monday, 3 April 2023<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Front Porch: What\u2019s going on at BTC?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas \u2013 \u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online Customs declarations to be mandatory from June 12<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 ALL returning Bahamians and residents must fill out their Customs declarations electronically, and pay associated fees online, before they land in this country as of June 12, 2023, it was revealed yesterday\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The computer goes clackety-clack<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 A return to mechanical keyboards was an incidental decision after I put my laptop on a riser\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tuesday, 4 April 2023<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

BTC to URCA: Reliable electricity biggest challenge facing telecoms<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) is concerned about what it claims is the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority\u2019s (URCA) lack of monitoring and improvement of the electricity sector in The Bahamas, especially on the Family Islands\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cable: URCA\u2019s 23% budget rise \u2018assault on our finances\u2019<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 Cable Bahamas has blasted the 23 percent hike in the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority\u2019s (URCA) 2023 budget as \u201can assault on the finances\u201d of itself and other communications operators who will pay for it\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

URCA under scrutiny over \u201csignificant\u201d budget increase<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 The country\u2019s utilities regulator has come under scrutiny from its licensees over what they describe as \u201csignificant\u201d increases forecasted in its 2023 budget, with one major communications provider stating that the days of telcos being a \u201ccash cow\u201d are over\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digicel strikes debt restructuring deal<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 As part of its debt-cutting plan, Digicel Group announced three-quarters of bondholders are set to take shares in the company to resolve its debts and reduce founder Denis O\u2019Brien\u2019s stake from 99.9% to 10% to have US$1.8 billion written off, reported the Irish Times\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use AI to improve productivity<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the most transformative technologies of the 21st century and the current fourth industrial revolution\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AG Joseph: Changes to Data Protection Bill unnecessary<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Grenada<\/em> \u2013 Senator Claudette Joseph, Attorney General and Legal Affairs minister, said that changes made to the Data Protection Bill during the Committee stage of the Lower House of Parliament on 14 March 2023 \u201cwas not necessary\u201d but were made so Government \u201cmight show transparency.\u201d\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digital Agriculture and innovation for improved sector<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Grenada <\/em>\u2013 The Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Fisheries and Cooperative, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), has launched 2 projects to promote digital agriculture and resilient agri-food systems in Grenada\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inspiring future tech leaders<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 Flow recently joined the Jessie Ripoll Primary School to inspire the next generation of technology engineers at the school\u2019s Boys\u2019 Day activity on Thursday, March 30\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lynk to launch LynkBiz to allow MSMEs to accept digital payments seamlessly<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 Digital payment wallet \u2013 Lynk \u2013 will this month launch a new line to its suite of business client services, known as LynkBiz and has issued a call for businesses to sign up\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Huawei promises to keep local workers employed<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 Thoughts of retrenchment are not on the minds of Huawei Technologies T&T Limited, as the company is seeing stability and growth in this country\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mastercard\u2019s Girls4Tech reaches 38 in TT, Jamaica<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 Mastercard\u2019s Girls4Tech, an educational program that seeks to inspire girls aged 8 \u2013 16 to acquire skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), returned to the Caribbean with the participation of 38 girls from Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wednesday, 5 April 2023<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cable\u2019s pay-TV status \u2018screaming for removal\u2019<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 Cable Bahamas is arguing its \u2018significant market power\u2019 designation in the pay-TV market is \u201cscreaming for removal\u201d with competition from streaming services having caused an 11 percent plunge in subscriber numbers in 2021\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Government loading previously signed contracts into new e-procurement system<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 The government is loading previously signed contracts into its new Bonfire e-procurement system, so that contracts already awarded since the Davis administration took office almost two years ago, will be available to the public, Financial Secretary Simon Wilson told members of the media yesterday\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digital revolution key to public sector upgrade<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Barbados <\/em>\u2013 Government is reaffirming its commitment to improving the way it does business, saying it is pressing ahead with the digital transformation of the public service as a major part of its plan\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CARPHA launches online course on Regional Food Security and Nutrition Surveillance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean<\/em> \u2013 Food security and nutrition surveillance systems (FNSS) are critical to public health as they provide information for immediate and medium to long-term decision-making relating to the nutritional risk factors, nutritional status and nutrition-related diseases and disorders in a country\u2019s population\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digicel debt talks extended<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 DIGICEL now has until the end of this month to formalise a restructuring agreement with creditors, which would “recapitalise the business and place it on a firm and sustainable footing for the future”\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Affording compliance with the Data Protection Act<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 While small businesses, due to their size, may not need to appoint a data protection officer when the Data Protection Act (DPA) comes into effect on December 1 this year, Information Commissioner Celia Barclay is encouraging them to begin investing now to ensure compliance\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Visionaries’ Summit to pull global business leaders to Kingston<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Kirk-Anthony Hamilton-led Infiniti Partnership will again enlist global and local business leaders to explore investment opportunities in the island at The Visionaries’ Summit, which returns after a four year-hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thursday, 6 April 2023<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Barely scratching surface\u2019 on Sand Dollar\u2019s adoption<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 The Bahamas is \u201cbarely scratching the surface\u201d of the Sand Dollar\u2019s potential, payment providers asserted yesterday, with the digital currency needing more \u201chigh traffic\u201d merchants to accept it to drive adoption\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sudden rise of false coaches, faux experts<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean<\/em> \u2013  The digital age has given rise to many new industries, skillsets, and platforms for people to get their message out and when used correctly, this has been powerful in helping to grow the wider population\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NTRC Makes Donation Of Computers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines <\/em>\u2013 The NTRC presented a total of twenty (20) Lenovo Desktop computers to the National Centre Of Technological Innovation(NCTI) on March 28, 2023\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Friday, 7 April 2023<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Flow: Notice of upgrade activity<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Grenada<\/em> \u2013 As part of our announced programme to boost our leading network, Flow advises customers of scheduled upgrade activity resulting in service interruptions in the following areas as follows:\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, 8 April 2023<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Digicel in Easter connections with communities<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana<\/em> \u2013 Digicel Guyana says it continues to connect Communities throughout Guyana and more so during Easter Celebrations\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

GTT announces support for Rupununi Rodeo 2023<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana<\/em> \u2013 GTT Inc, Guyana\u2019s leading telecommunications company, last Friday announced its support for the upcoming Rupununi Rodeo 2023. The company\u2019s Chief Operating Officer (COO)- Business Solutions, Orson Ferguson, donated GY$ 500,000 to Director of the Rupununi Livestock Association, Christina Edwards\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GTT partners with Bartica Committee for Regatta 2023<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana<\/em> \u2013 GTT has signed on as partners for Bartica Regatta 2023. The event which commenced last Saturday with a sashing ceremony for the Miss Bartica Regatta  pageant, will conclude on April 10 with grass track races and the pageant finals\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digicel points to bush fire as cause of service outage<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago<\/em> \u2013 Digicel has confirmed that a bush fire near Bamboo Village was the root cause of the Good Friday disruption in services experienced by its customers\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sunday, 9 April 2023<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Nil \u2013 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Images credit: the blowup (Unsplash<\/a>); The Bahamas Weekly<\/a>; Jamaica Information Service<\/a>; Wikimedia Commons<\/a>; Bahamas Sand Dollar (Twitter<\/a>); Guyana Chronicle<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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