{"id":62342,"date":"2014-07-07T05:44:17","date_gmt":"2014-07-07T10:44:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=62342"},"modified":"2017-04-07T16:33:50","modified_gmt":"2017-04-07T21:33:50","slug":"roundup-week-6-july-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2014\/07\/roundup-week-6-july-2014\/","title":{"rendered":"Roundup: for the week ending 6 July 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"

A roundup of ICT\/technology news from across the Caribbean region during the period Monday 30 June to Sunday 6 July 2014.<\/em><\/p>\n

Monday, 30 June 2014<\/h3>\n

Bright Path to Digital Careers at TechLink Barbados<\/h4>\n

Barbados <\/em>\u2013 More than thirty young Barbadians learned basic skills for developing successful mobile apps and producing high-quality digital photography at a special workshop facilitated by the BrightPath Foundation, in collaboration with Columbus Communications\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Belize Telemedia Explains Countrywide Internet Issues<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 Belize Telemedia Ltd. (BTL) advises its DSL customers that the Company continues to experience connectivity or slow browsing issues with our internet service\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Why do local companies not reply to queries transmitted through their websites?<\/h4>\n

Guyana<\/em> \u2013 Dear Editor,<\/em> Over a period of time I have been browsing a lot of companies\/organizations\u2019 websites and whilst doing that I would click on the link to contact the sites with queries or comments like GPL Inc, NM Services Ltd, GT&T, Guyana Police Force, Food for the Poor (Guyana) etc\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

WIPO And Caribbean IP, What\u2019s The Point?<\/h4>\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 Recent months have seen a few interesting intellectual property symposia in the Caribbean, in particular the WIPO\u2013JIPO Regional Conference on IP and creative industries which was held in Jamaica from February 10-12 2014\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Tuesday, 1 July 2014<\/h3>\n

‘Let Rivals Compete With Sub-Standard BTC Service’<\/h4>\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 A LOCAL businessman yesterday criticised the Bahamas Telecommunications Company for its \u201csub-standard\u201d service and made an impassioned appeal to the government to hasten its steps to introduce a competitor to the market\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"http:\/\/www.freedigitalphotos.net\/images\/agree-terms.php?id=10038004\"Belize Telemedia Blames Botnet Attack For Internet, Mobile Services Disruption<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 Belize Telemedia Ltd., the government owned telephone company in Belize, claims a DoS attack is responsible for Internet and mobile delivery services problems it has been experiencing for over a week\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

BTL addresses network issues<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 For at least the past two weeks, \u00a0having trouble accessing the internet on state-run telecommunications company Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL)\u2019s network? \u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

BTL Internet Under Attack<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 The nation\u2019s premier telecommunications service provider, Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), has indicated to us that for nearly two weeks now, it has been grappling with external attacks on its servers \u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

BTL Working out Against Internet Attacks<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 Have you been having trouble accessing the internet on state-run telecommunications company Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL)\u2019s network? \u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Hackers Causing Your Internet Failures<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 For the past two days – users of BTL’s broadband service have been taken back to the early 90’s – a time before the internet\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

IP law reform could attract more tech companies to Cayman<\/h4>\n

Cayman Islands <\/em>\u2013 An update to Cayman\u2019s intellectual property (IP) laws could open the gates for a boom in the island\u2019s high-tech sector\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

GT&T\u2019s customers can now pay taxes using their cell phones<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 Mobile Money Guyana Incorporated (MMG), a mobile financial service provider has been recently added to the list of collecting agents for tax and licence payments to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA)\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Wednesday, 2 July 2014<\/h3>\n

BTL Broadband Woes Continue<\/h4>\n

Belize<\/em> \u2013 BTL’s pitch line is about its stable, reliable broadband, but as we’ve reported for the past 10 days, it’s been anything but that\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Radio licence delays\u2026 Broadcasting Authority still to consider applications from media houses<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 Almost three years after a number of radio licences were approved under controversial circumstances by former President Bharrat Jagdeo, applications by a number of media houses are still to be considered\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Digicel Jamaica blocks VoIP applications<\/h4>\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 Digicel Jamaica has decided to block a number of VoIP applications\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Digicel, LIME Follow Through On VoIP Blockade<\/h4>\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 Following its weekend warning, Digicel Jamaica has now blocked Viber and other unlicensed Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services in this market\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"http:\/\/www.isoc.tt\/?page_id=72\"IT technician remanded in Tax Administration cybercrime case<\/h4>\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 An IT technician charged under the Cybercrimes Act was remanded when he appeared in the Half-Way-Tree Resident Magistrate\u2019s Court on Monday\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Viber Defiant, Says Service Will Bypass Blockade<\/h4>\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 Talmon Marco, CEO and founder of Viber Media, said Tuesday night that the service will soon be up and running, notwithstanding efforts by Digicel and LIME to derail it\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

TATT celebrates ten year anniversary<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 THE Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) celebrated its ten-year anniversary yesterday with an Interfaith Service at Queen\u2019s Hall St Ann\u2019s\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Thursday, 3 July 2014<\/h3>\n

GT&T to save money from E-Billing system<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) expects to spend less on the preparation and postage of telephone bills as more customers shift to the newly-introduced E-Billing system\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Letter Of The Day – Digicel And LIME’s Move To Ban VoIP Apps Bad For Innovation<\/h4>\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 THE EDITOR, Sir: The move by Jamaica’s two telecoms to ban voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) applications on their networks sets a dangerous precedent and will inevitably stifle innovation in Jamaica\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

OUR to discuss bar on VoIP by cell phone companies<\/h4>\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) says that it will meet with consumer groups and telecommunication service providers Digicel and LIME to discuss complaints sparked by the companies\u2019 decision to bar unlicensed Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications from their network\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Driving growth through telecommunications<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 INTERNATIONAL buyers and exhibitors from over 35 countries have assembled on the shores of the region\u2019s financial capital to participate in the Caribbean\u2019s largest business-to-business trade show; the fifteenth annual Trade and Investment Convention\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Friday, 4 July 2014<\/h3>\n

Gov’t To Close 30,000 Household ‘Digital Divide’<\/h4>\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 The Government has pledged to close a \u2018digital divide\u2019 that has left 30,000 Bahamian households without fixed broadband Internet services, warning that it is \u201cof critical importance that the Bahamas never drops the ball\u201d on electronic communications\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

BTL says Belize was on \u201ctop 10\u201d list for cyber-attacks<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 Representatives of the Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) called a press conference on Tuesday afternoon to update the media on efforts to try to contain what the company said is a flood of attacks against its web servers, originating out of China and Hong Kong\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

GT&T facilitates online payment of bills<\/h4>\n

Guyana<\/em> \u2013 As E-commerce gains momentum locally, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) yesterday launched its online billing service with the aim of saving money and making customers happier\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Applications open for Start-up Jamaica<\/h4>\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 The Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy, and Mining is now accepting applications for the Government\u2019s youth entrepreneurship programme, Start-Up Jamaica\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

BPO math: US$50-m office build-out could create 10,000 jobs<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 FOR US$900,000 ($100.8 million), a new 200-seat call centre incubator will be built in the Montego Bay free zone\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Compete Caribbean Program Gets US$500,000 Boost<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Jamaica\u2019s Information and Communication Technology and Business Process Outsourcing (ICT\/BPO) sector has been boosted by the provision of a $56 million (US$500,000) grant, under the Compete Caribbean Programme\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

GOVT to accelerate pace of Technology Development under Start-Up Jamaica<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The 100-day accelerator development period prescribed for technology entrepreneurs under the Start-up Jamaica project, is to enable them to develop their ideas into prototypes in the shortest possible time\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"VoipLetter Of The Day – Digicel Boss: No Free Ride For Parasitic Viber<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 THE EDITOR, Sir: Following the article published in The Gleaner on Wednesday, July 2, 2014, titled ‘Viber defiant, says service will bypass blockade’, it is incumbent on me to respond on behalf of Digicel and to inform your readers of the true, factual position in relation to this matter\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Ridiculous Blackout By LIME, Digicel<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 THE EDITOR, Sir: I buy a two-day 500-megabyte data plan from my mobile telephone provider. This is a service I am paying for, which should allow me to browse whatever content I want, download what I want, and certainly use whatever applications I want\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Viber System Fights Back Against Digicel and LIME Blockages in Jamaica<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 This week, Jamaican carrier Digicel blocked Viber, something that has seemingly occurred every summer. It\u2019s likely that carrier-driven blocks such as this (not like government blocks) will continue, and that\u2019s why Viber is taking the initiative to stop it\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Wheatley concerned over Digicel, LIME\u2019s block of VoIP<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Opposition Spokesman on ICT, Digital Society Development and the Environment, Dr Andrew Wheatley, is expressing concern regarding the recently announced action of telecommunications providers LIME and Digicel to block the use of certain VoIP applications, such as Skype & Viber, on their networks\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Regulators to review high speed Internet pricing<\/h4>\n

Saint Kitts and Nevis <\/em>\u2013 St. Kitts and Nevis will host persons from regulatory agencies across the region who will participate in four days of training on effective price regulation for broadband services (high speed internet)\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Trinidad Opens Long Awaited \u201cTamana\u201d Technology Park<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 Trinidad and Tobago has unveiled its first Science & Technology Park, bolstering its ICT infrastructure to lure foreign investments in technology sector\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Saturday, 5 July 2014<\/h3>\n

Crackdown On Lottery Scammers<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 A 16-year-old boy and his 36-year-old mother are among three lottery scammers to be sentenced tomorrow after they pleaded guilty in the St Elizabeth Circuit Court\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Jamaican develops device for phone selfies, security<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 SELFR, a handheld gadget that snaps photos on smartphones in order to avoid clumsy self-portraits, or selfies, began taking pre-orders this month in a crowdfunding campaign, according to AccuTrak Labs\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

OUR discussions over LIME, Digicel’s block of VoIP continue<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) is holding meetings with sector stakeholders to discuss the decision by Dicigel and LIME to block applications that allow users to make free phone calls over the internet\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Viber, Others Robbing Jamaica Of Revenue, Digicel Says<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 I am writing in response to Gordon Swaby’s letter that was published in The Gleaner on July 3, 2014. We thank Mr Swaby for taking the time to voice his concerns and would like to use this forum to clarify some of the issues raised by him\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Public Advisory: Digicel T&T To Block Unlicenced VoIP Providers<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 Digicel is announcing that, effective immediately, unlicenced VOIP services are blocked on its network. Unlicenced VOIP operators like Viber and Nimbuzz use telecoms networks to deliver their services, but do not pay the requisite money for the privilege\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Sunday, 6 July 2014<\/h3>\n

Credit card fraud hike<\/h4>\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013\u00a0Bahamas police are reporting that cases of credit card fraud have doubled in the first half of the year, compared to the same period last year… more<\/a><\/p>\n

Digicel wants Viber, Tango, Nimbuzz providers to pay<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 Caribbean mobile provider Digicel has effectively barred users from accessing popular \u201cfree calls\u201d applications Viber, Tango and Nimbuzz\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Developing culture of innovation Who should take the lead ?<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago<\/em> \u2013 Innovation is the lifeblood of businesses and economies. Critical for innovation to take place is the growth of a research and development (R&D) capacity\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Image credits: \u00a0NS Newsflash<\/a> (flickr); \u00a0piyaphantawong (FreeDigitalPhotos.com<\/a>); \u00a0ISOC TT<\/a>; \u00a0Stuart Miles (FreeDigitalPhotos.net<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n

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

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