A roundup of the latest ICT\/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 27 January to Sunday 2 February 2025.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Monday, 27 January 2025<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean first aims to bridge gap between insurance and technology<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 The Insurance Commission of The Bahamas has launched a six-week online initiative, the InsurTech Compliance, Innovation and Regulatory Practices (ICIRP) course, in a bid to marry supervision with the digital age\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CANTO Connect 2025 Opens in Cura\u00e7ao<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 Leaders, innovators, and policymakers from the telecommunications sector across the Caribbean have gathered in Cura\u00e7ao for CANTO Connect 2025 and the 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM). The three-day event, which officially opened on January 26 at the Renaissance Wind Creek Cura\u00e7ao Resort, is co-hosted by the Regulatory Authority of Cura\u00e7ao (RAC) and runs through January 28\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DEREK SMITH JR: AI\u2019s expanding role in corporate governance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 Governance, risk and compliance (GRC) functions are undergoing significant changes, driven by rapid technological advances and increasingly stringent regulatory demands\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The backup challenge<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 It\u2019s been a while since backing up your data was a topic in this space\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flow announces new location at Melville Street<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Grenada<\/em> \u2013 Leading entertainment and communications provider Flow is pleased to announce the relocation of its retail store from Granby Street to a new, modern facility at #7 NIS Building, Melville Street, St George\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biometrics must be treated as a necessity for the upcoming elections<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 Dear Editor, Biometrics is not just an option for the upcoming elections; it is a necessity\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poor connectivity will hinder hinterland residents from benefitting from digital school\u2014Chandan-Edmond <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 Without robust infrastructure in place, the hinterland and rural communities are at risk of exclusion from the benefits of the soon-to-be established digital school, Opposition Member of Parliament, Geeta Chandan Edmond has said\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Padarath: Follow ‘due process\u2019 before laying TSTT report in House<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 PRINCES TOWN MP and shadow minister for public utilities Barry Padarath has temporarily softened his calls for the 2023 TSTT cyber-attack report to be laid in Parliament\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tuesday, 28 January 2025<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

PM urges legal capacity boost for AI and Fintech<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 The Prime Minister last night called for the building of Bahamian legal capacity in areas such as climate change and artificial intelligence (AI) while calling on this nation to fulfill its arbitration centre potential\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

New online payment portal coming for Water & Sewerage<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

British Virgin Islands <\/em>\u2013 Customers of the Water and Sewerage Department will soon benefit from the launch of an online payment portal, enabling them to pay their bills remotely starting February 1\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over 21 officers trained in water quality monitoring and data analysis<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

British Virgin Islands <\/em>\u2013 The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change has announced that more than 21 environmental and technical officers have completed comprehensive training in water quality monitoring, data analysis, and storage\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

6D Technologies Wins Landmark Deal to Revolutionize Payments for MMG Guyana with Aureus Platform<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 6D Technologies is proud to announce its partnership with Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) to transform the payment ecosystem in Guyana using the cutting-edge Aureus platform. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our mission to deliver innovative solutions that redefine customer engagement and financial services\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rapidly evolving digital landscape is unique opportunity for cooperation with India \u2013 PM<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana<\/em> \u2013 Addressing the 76th anniversary of India\u2019s Republican status on Sunday, Prime Minister Mark Phillips highlighted the rapidly evolving digital landscape in India as presenting a \u201cunique opportunity\u201d for collaboration\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

St. Joseph School introduces new podcast studio for pupils<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sint Maarten <\/em>\u2013 St. Joseph School announced on Tuesday the launch of a podcast studio as part of its commitment to fostering innovation and creativity\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wednesday, 29 January 2025<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The transformative power of digital payments in Latin America<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 As the year starts, it is time to renew the regional focus on bringing more Latin Americans into the formal financial economy\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biometrics must be implemented for the upcoming elections<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 Dear Editor, Biometrics is not just an option for the upcoming elections; it is a necessity. The urgency for electoral reform cannot be overstated, and it is time to demand action\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introducing biometrics without legal framework would be unconstitutional \u2013 GECOM<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Tuesday said that the use of biometrics at the place of polls for the upcoming General and Regional Elections requires a legislative framework failing which it would be unconstitutional\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Symptai says SMEs struggle to meet Data Protection Act requirements<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 As Jamaica observes International Privacy Week from January 27 to 31, Symptai Consulting Limited, a leader in cybersecurity and data protection solutions, is urging local businesses to embrace a more people-centric approach to data privacy\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Government plans to give TELEM NAF 5M in financial injection —PM.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sint Maarten<\/em> \u2013\u00a0The government of St. Maarten plans to give TELEM Group of Companies some NAF 5M to assist the company that is failing financially.\u2026 more<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

bmobile Launches VoLTE in T&T<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 bmobile has marked another milestone with the introduction of Voice over LTE (VoLTE) technology, becoming the first mobile provider in Trinidad and Tobago to allow customers to talk and surf simultaneously\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thursday, 30 January 2025<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Commission\u2019s $221.6m FTX claim to now drop below other creditors<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 The Supreme Court yesterday approved the Securities Commission\u2019s bid to relegate its $221.55m claim against FTX behind those of the insolvent crypto exchange\u2019s clients and other victims\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regional telecoms urged to overcome digital hurdles<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 The Caribbean telecommunications sector must make a united effort to overcome the region’s digital hurdles\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

USD 9 Billion+ Needed to Support Caribbean\u2019s Transition to a Gigabit Society<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 The Caribbean\u2019s transition to a gigabit society, defined by widespread high-speed internet connectivity of 1 gigabit per second (Gbps), requires an investment of upwards of USD 9 billion, according to Lisa Agard, Chair of CANTO\u2019s C9 group\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where cyber security threats begin: Phishing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 According to a 2021 CISCO report, most successful data breaches \u2013 more than 90 per cent \u2013 are the result of data phishing\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biometrics at place of poll not a feasible option for 2025 \u2013 GECOM<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 Given the current level of interest in some quarters concerning the introduction of biometrics at the Place of Poll for the upcoming General and Regional Elections, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has iterated its position that to introduce biometrics at the place of poll is not feasible within the time presently available before the elections are held later this year\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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TelEm asks govt. for NAf. 5 million guarantee letter, govt. will assist<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sint Maarten <\/em>\u2013 The TelEm Group has asked government to provide it with a NAf. 5 million guarantee letter, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina said on Wednesday\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social listening: Secret to understanding customers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago<\/em> \u2013 With the ever-evolving digital landscape, businesses must learn to stay ahead of customer expectations to remain competitive\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Friday, 31 January 2025<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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Antigua Demands Starlink Pay Sales Tax<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Antigua and Barbuda <\/em>\u2013 Starlink, the satellite internet service provider operated by Elon Musk\u2019s SpaceX, is under investigation by authorities in Antigua and Barbuda for failing to pay the Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST) on its services\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gov\u2019t targets telecommunications service provider Starlink for unpaid taxes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Antigua and Barbuda <\/em>\u2013 The government is moving to obtain unpaid taxes from telecommunications service provider Starlink\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symonette: Super Value digital points system getting over ‘humps’<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 Super Value hoped to launch its digital loyalty program by the end of this month, but had several issues with the new system before fully bringing it to the public, Super Value President Debra Symonette told\u00a0Guardian Business<\/em>\u00a0recently\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mastercard readies click to pay for local market<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Caribbean <\/em>\u2013 Mastercard is looking to expand the suite of payment solutions available locally following the roll-out of its click-to-pay service sometime later this year\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bring Uber car service to Guyana<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 Dear Editor,\u00a0 Guyana is ready for the Uber car service.\u00a0 It is available in Barbados and other nearby countries. Uber was in Trinidad at one time but later closed operations\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MC Systems launches Phoenix i2025 as financial inclusion becomes a priority<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 Almost four years after acquiring Phoenix International Core Banking System, local technology solutions provider MC Systems launched the latest upgrade of the banking system, known as Phoenix i2025\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put data-protection policies into education system, says UWI data-protection officer<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 Dr Patrick Anglin, the University of the West Indies\u2019 (UWI) data-protection officer, is calling for data-protection policies to be implemented in Jamaica\u2019s education system in order to streamline the use and security of sensitive information in schools\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Customs and Excise Department Launches e-Payment Porta<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines<\/em> \u2013 The Customs and Excise Department hosted its week of activities as part of the global celebration for International Customs Day on January 26, officially launching its e-payment portal, which is expected to significantly advance the operations of the department\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ministry of VROMI Launches Digital Complaint Form with QR Code Access.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sint Maarten <\/em>\u2013 The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI) is pleased to announce the launch of its new Digital Complaint Form, a modern and accessible solution designed to empower the public to voice their concerns with ease and efficiency\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Saturday, 1 February 2025<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Bahamas\u2019 PM Davis Advocates Tech Innovation; And Calls To Millennials And Gen Z Legal Practitioners To Let Voices Be Heard, At Law Society\u2019s Legal Week 2025<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 During his Official Remarks at the Opening Ceremony of the University of The Bahamas Law Society\u2019s Legal Week 2025, on January 27, 2025, at the Harry C. Moore Library, Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis noted that, as a region, they all recognise the need to invest heavily in technological innovation\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guyanese can keep phone numbers, change providers from this month<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on Saturday announced that from later this month, cellphone and fixed line subscribers in Guyana could keep their existing numbers but change the companies they are subscribed with\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slow or negligible adaptation to digital technologies puts countries like Guyana at a competitive disadvantage<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 Dear Editor,\u00a0 I am writing to express my thoughts regarding Banks DIH\u2019s announcement at their most recent annual shareholders meeting, where the company\u2019s CEO revealed plans to construct a new beer bottling plant instead of pursuing a project in the technology sector, such as a computer assembly plant or a facility for electronic and digital equipment\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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JAMPRO, ITC collaborate on promoting Jamaica\u2019s global digital services in the UK<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) have embarked on a partnership to promote Jamaica\u2019s Global Digital Services (GDS) companies in the United Kingdom\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digicel CEO steps down<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trinidad and Tobago<\/em> \u2013 ABRAHAM Smith, the outgoing chief executive officer of Digicel Trinidad and Tobago, says that during his six years in this country, he has never felt unsafe\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sunday, 2 February 2025<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

C&W three-year cap<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Barbados <\/em>\u2013 Barbadian households and businesses with a standalone fixed telephone service from Cable & Wireless (Barbados) Limited (C& W) will be spared price increases for approximately the next three years under a new Price Cap Plan (PCP) implemented by the Fair Trading Commission (FTC)\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number portability to be available in Guyana shortly \u2013 PUC<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will be implementing number portability in Guyana which will take effect from February 10, with the official launch to be shared in a subsequent announcement, a PUC release announced yesterday\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Images credit: rawpixel.com (Freepik<\/a>); CANTO<\/a>; Wikipedia<\/a>; Symptai Consulting<\/a> (LinkedIn); Telem Group<\/a>; Wikimedia Commons<\/a>; Wikimedia Commons<\/a>; JAMPRO<\/a> (Facebook)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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