We predict six ICT\/tech developments expected in the Caribbean in 2013.<\/em><\/p>\n
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There were a number of tech\/ICT issues that had us talking and elicited considerable reaction in 2012, Examples include the significant mobile\/cellular rate reductions in Jamaica<\/a>; the entry of Karib Cable and Flow<\/a> into the Barbados telecoms market; and the launch of the Huawei Media Pad 7 Lite<\/a> across the region. In this our first post for 2013, we are setting the stage by highlighting six developments we expect to occur in the Caribbean this year.<\/p>\n
Do have a read and let us know what you think\u2026<\/p>\n
Cloud computing<\/a> has been around for a number of years, and most evidently as email services such as Gmail, Hotmail and Yahoo, for which many of us have at least one account. On the other hand, many organisations traditionally have preferred to acquire and keep their computing resources \u2013 servers, storage, software, etc. \u2013 in-house. However, thanks to improved Internet broadband speeds, pricing and reliability, plus the protracted economic downturn that is still present in the Caribbean, businesses may be more inclined to explore the cost management features that cloud services offer.<\/p>\n
Over the last few years, network security experts regularly reported that the Caribbean is highly susceptible<\/a> to and frequently experiences a broad range of Internet threats, but there appeared to be little action to address the situation. Last year, 2012, might have been a turning point.<\/p>\n
Network breaches of government and prominent private organisations<\/a> in a number of countries across the region, were publicly reported, thus stressing the need for improved cyber security measures. Moreover, through support from COMNET, and its Memorandum of Understanding with the Caribbean Telecommunications Union<\/a>, and from the Commonwealth Secretariat, among other agencies, tools and technical assistance have been made available to help countries individually and collectively tackle this issue. We hope to see some results this year.<\/p>\n
One of the most touted benefits of competition in telecoms services is the availability of choice. Consumers would no longer be restricted to the offerings of only one provider. Through having multiple players in a market, there would be a wider range of offerings and thus greater choice. Unfortunately, what is not often mentioned, is the fact that once you have made a choice, especially in respect of mobile\/cellular and fixed voice services, it can be virtually impossible to change service providers \u2013 thus exercising one\u2019s freedom of choice \u2013 and keep the initially assigned identifier, your telephone number.<\/p>\n
As reflected in our post, Snapshot: number portability in the Caribbean<\/i><\/b><\/a>, published last year, several countries across the region are in the process of implementing number portability. In many instances, implementation should be completed within a year. Hence by year-end, and into 2014, we should begin to see changes in consumer behaviour, particularly in the fixed voice and mobile\/cellular markets, when customers realise they are not as constrained as they used to be.<\/p>\n
Over the last two years or so, we have been seeing greater take-up of tablet computers across the Caribbean, particularly among enterprise<\/a>, especially professionals, senior managers and executives. Most of them may still have a PC or laptop on their desk in the office, but are likely to be using and carrying around a tablet they might have purchased personally<\/a>, not their employers.<\/p>\n
Device theft has been a serious problem across the Caribbean for several years especially as smartphones have become more prominent and are status symbols in our societies. As more people move towards tablet computers, often to replace their PC and\/or laptop, there will be a greater emphasis on keeping such devices secure.<\/p>\n
The importance of good passwords practices has been stressed repeatedly. However, with time and some inexpensive tools, that measure can easily be breached. Hence there is likely to be greater focus on other measures, such as biometrics, code lockers and device tracker products and applications, to improve device security.<\/p>\n
Since 2011, we have been reporting on the challenges the BlackBerry phone<\/a>, and its manufacturer, Research in Motion (RIM), has been experiencing. On 30 January 2013, RIM plans to launch a new Operating System (X10) and a suite of new phones, which it hopes will make it more competitive in the current smartphone market.<\/p>\n
Image credits: Master isolated images<\/a> (FreeDigitalPhotos.net)<\/em><\/p>\n
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