A roundup of the latest ICT\/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 7 December to Sunday 13 December 2015.<\/em><\/p>\n

\nMonday, 7 December 2015<\/h3>\n

Parliament to debate cell phone VAT<\/h4>\n

Barbados <\/em>\u2013 Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler today announced that legislation aimed at increasing the Value Added Tax (VAT) on mobile services will be tabled in Parliament next Tuesday\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

BTL to launch Region\u2019s fastest LTE Network in 2016<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 On Friday, November 27th Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) announced that the company is in the final stages of selecting its mobile network vendor to build out and launch its Mobile LTE network in 2016\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

How the Internet and Modern Technology is Killing Belize Telemedia Limited<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 We live in a world where telecommunication is now an innate part of our lives\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

‘Lottery scamming is no reparation for slavery’<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Carol Palmer, has lashed out against people who maintain that the gains fleeced from elderly, unsuspecting United States citizens by lottery scammers are reparation for slavery\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Police seize telephone cable in Cross Roads<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 THE security forces last Friday seized thousands of dollars worth of telephone cables during a massive operation in the Cross Roads area of Kingston\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Cable and Wireless Communications Plc (CWC) \u2013 Investment Analysts\u2019 Recent Ratings Changes<\/h4>\n

Regional<\/em> \u2013 Several brokerages have updated their recommendations and price targets on shares of Cable and Wireless Communications Plc (LON: CWC) in the last few weeks\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Cable and Wireless Communications Plc (CWC) Price Target Increased to GBX 62 by Analysts at Nomura<\/h4>\n

Regional<\/em> \u2013 Cable and Wireless Communications Plc (LON:CWC) had its target price boosted by Nomura from GBX 58 ($0.87) to GBX 62 ($0.93) in a research report released on Tuesday morning, ARN reports. Nomura currently has a neutral rating on the stock\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Cable and Wireless Communications Plc (CWC) Rating Reiterated by AlphaValue<\/h4>\n

Regional<\/em> \u2013 Cable and Wireless Communications Plc (LON:CWC)\u2018s stock had its \u201csell\u201d rating reissued by equities researchers at AlphaValue in a research report issued on Thursday, MarketBeat Ratings reports… more<\/a><\/p>\n

Marketing Strategies Today: When do I use Google Hangouts and YouTube Live?<\/h4>\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 If you aren’t yet using the Google+ video hangout feature to promote your business, then you are definitely missing out\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Tech Times: Tech Term Of The Week<\/h4>\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 Near Field Communication\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Laptop Distribution Culminates\u200f<\/h4>\n

Saint Kitts and Nevis <\/em>\u2013 The Deputy of Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Hon. Shawn K. Richards continued the distribution of laptops to the various government primary, pre-schools and day care centres on St. Kitts\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Tuesday, 8 December 2015<\/h3>\n

Bahamian School Launches Mobile App<\/h4>\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 AKHEPRAN Academy has made history in becoming the first Bahamian school to launch its own Mobile Application. On Tuesday, 23rd November 2015, the school hosted parents and students, to a pre-launch of the Application (App). Developed by Lincoln Bain, he gave a live demonstration on the many features of the software\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

New head of Office of Cuba Broadcasting appointed<\/h4>\n

Cuba <\/em>\u2013 The Broadcasting Board of Governors has announced that Maria “Malule” Gonz\u00e1lez will take over as director of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, responsible for the strategic planning and direction of TV Mart\u00ed, Radio Mart\u00ed and Martinoticias.com, which are collectively known as the Mart\u00eds\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Digicel Play inks deal for child-friendly video service<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Digicel Play today announced that it has signed a deal with A Parent Media Co Inc (APMC), owner of children\u2019s over-the-top (OTT) entertainment service, Kidoodle.TV\u00ae, to bring a new entertainment and educational experience to its growing customer base\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Ministry of Education completes Laptop Distribution Drive<\/h4>\n

Saint Kitts and Nevis <\/em>\u2013 Twenty-two (22) primary Schools and Day Care centres on St. Kitts were the recipients of Laptops under the government of St. Kitts and Nevis Laptop Distribution Initiative\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Will social media and young voters decide outcome of St Vincent general election?<\/h4>\n

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines <\/em>\u2013 About a year ago, when he was asked about the role social media could play in deciding the outcome of general election in St Vincent and the Grenadines, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves adapted his usually dismissive attitude towards new media\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Wednesday, 9 December 2015<\/h3>\n

Johnny Ingle leaving Digicel<\/h4>\n

Barbados <\/em>\u2013 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER of Digicel (Barbados) Limited, Johnny Ingle, will be leaving the business after eight years with the telecommunications giant\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

VI residents losing money in latest phone scam<\/h4>\n

British Virgin Islands <\/em>\u2013 The latest telephone scam affecting the territory appears to be the most effective and dangerous, according to a press release the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs issued on Tuesday..,, more<\/a><\/p>\n

Cyber risks at top of the list of threats for captives<\/h4>\n

Cayman Islands <\/em>\u2013 Cybercrime, hacking and data breaches caused about $450 billion in damages last year, but insurance covered only a fraction of it. Only about $2.5 billion was paid in premiums to insure against computer crime\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Digicel\u2019s \u2018The More, The Merrier\u2019 Christmas campaign<\/h4>\n

Dominica <\/em>\u2013 Digicel is putting a smile on the face of its customers with several rewards this Christmas. With the theme: \u201cThe more, the merrier\u201d, Digicel will reach out to the disadvantaged and is offering a number of opportunities to win prizes\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Controversial sale of govt shares in GT&T\u2026Chinese company fails to pay in full<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 While Director of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Winston Brassington, sits quietly awaiting long overdue payments for the sale of Government\u2019s 20 percent shares in the Guyana Telephone and Telephone Company (GTT), Datang Telecom Technology and Industry Group has been receiving handsome dividends\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Justin Nedd confirmed GTT’s CEO<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) Wednesday, December 9, 2015 confirmed Justin Nedd as company Chief Executive Officer\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

$18 Billion Issued In Loans, But Where Are The Jobs?<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The Auditor General Pamela Munroe Ellis has flagged the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ)\u00a0for issuing more than $18 billion in loans with no idea whether they have met the intended purpose\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Digicel Jamaica FTTH network to reach 150,000 households<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Digicel Jamaica is on target to extend its new FTTH network to 150,000 premises by the end of the year, reports local daily the Jamaica Observer\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Expecting Improved Service From Liberty<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 THE EDITOR, Sir: I am hoping that the acquisition of FLOW by Liberty Global Communications, the largest cable TV company in the world, will lead to better and improved services for our telecommunications industry\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s Not All Doom And Gloom \u2014 Crump<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 While the HEART Trust\/ National Training Agency has been tasked to ensure a sustained quality workforce to match global labour market demands, former president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Davon Crump, is bemoaning the poor quality of job applicants\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

More Than 700 Girls To Engage In Computer Coding<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 More than 700 girls across the island will be engaged in computer coding simultaneously between Thursday, December 10 and Saturday, December 12… more<\/a><\/p>\n

Rainmaker hired for BPO sector<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Making use of grant funding received from Compete Caribbean, an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) initiative, the Business Process Industry Association of Jamaica (BPIAJ) has secured an in-market broker to sell Jamaica as a business process outsourcing (BPO) destination of choice\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Universal Service Fund Failing To Collect Millions In Call Taxes From Companies – Auditor General<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The Universal Service Fund has been found to be delinquent in collecting millions from telecommunications companies who fail to pay over taxes from international phone calls\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

UTech, Ja. shares research on advancing deaf literacy through ICT<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The College of Business and Management (COBAM), University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica in collaboration with United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Jamaica Association for the Deaf (JAD) and the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) in observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Thursday, December 3, 2015 hosted a public forum on, \u201cAdvancing Deaf Literacy Through Technology,\u201d at the Lister Mair Gilby (LMG) School for the Deaf\u2026. more<\/a><\/p>\n

RBC launches EZPay mobile payment system<\/h4>\n

Sint Maarten <\/em>\u2013 RBC Royal Bank on Tuesday launched its EZPay mobile payment systems, which can be used by entrepreneurs and businesspersons while on the go\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Thursday, 10 December 2015<\/h3>\n

Legal battle over \u2018MEK MI RICH\u2019 continues<\/h4>\n

Belize<\/em> \u2013 Supreme Court Justice Courtney Abel has closed the evidence taking phase of a lawsuit to determine if the new hit lottery game, Mek Mi Rich, is a stolen idea\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Kareem talks LIME exit, not opposed to working at Digicel<\/h4>\n

British Virgin Islands <\/em>\u2013 Former head of Corporate Communications and Marketing at LIME BVI, Kareem-Nelson Hull, said he is not opposed to working with telecommunication giant Digicel, or local company CCT Global Communication should a position becomes\u00a0 available in any of the two entities here in the British Virgin Islands\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Digicel launches triple play offer this Christmas<\/h4>\n

Dominica <\/em>\u2013 Digicel Play on Wednesday 9 December 2015 launched its first ever triple play package called \u201cAll You Need for Less\u201d so that customers can enjoy the best in TV, broadband Internet and mobile services this Christmas\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Kalinago Territory to benefit from Computer Center<\/h4>\n

Dominica <\/em>\u2013 Residents of all ages from the Kalinago Territory will now be able to access training and expertise in computer-related skills offered through a computer centre in Salybia\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Digital technology at the service of education<\/h4>\n

Haiti <\/em>\u2013 Organized by the Ministry of Education in partnership with the Embassy of France in Haiti and the International Centre of Pedagogical Studies (CIEP), the National Conference on the place of digital technology in education ended Wednesday\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

DBJ’s $2.5-B programme produces less than 2,000 jobs in 8 months<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) spent US$21.8 million (approximately J$2.5 billion) between October, 2014 and June, 2015, on development projects in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT)\/Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector to create 10,324 jobs. However, by the end of June this year, DBJ realised less than 2,000 of the projected jobs\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Tablet Jitters – Absence Of School Project-Monitoring System Leaves Auditor General Wary<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Despite spending millions of dollars to support the tablets-in-schools project, it has been determined that the Universal Service Fund (USF) has no mechanism to monitor whether it is getting value for money\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

USF seeks to clarify findings in Auditor General\u2019s Report<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 In light of information released in the Auditor General\u2019s 2014\/2015 report on Tuesday, the Universal Service Fund (USF), is seeking to clarify findings regarding the amount collected from terminating carriers as well as the monitoring of the Tablets in Schools (TIS) programme\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Blink | bmobile lowers roaming rates for customers<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 Blink | bmobile has made international travel more friendly by reducing the roaming rates paid by its customers\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Friday, 11 December 2015<\/h3>\n

New online Government portal launched<\/h4>\n

Barbados <\/em>\u2013 GOVERNMENT\u2019S ONLINE PORTAL has been redesigned to improve access to information and facilitate the public doing government business\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

BUSINESS BYTE: FLOW launches Christmas at new Retail Store<\/h4>\n

Dominica <\/em>\u2013 Fresh on the heels of unveiling a new brand, and opening of the most technologically advanced retail store in Dominica, FLOW is on course to give customers the most amazing Christmas yet\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Dominican Republic to reform Telecoms Act<\/h4>\n

Dominican Republic <\/em>\u2013 The Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel) is currently working on a major reform of the country’s Telecommunications Act, reports Telesemana, citing Indotel executive director Leonardo Alberty Canela\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Collect Every Red Cent \u2013 Paulwell<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Technology Minister Phillip Paulwell says the Universal Service Fund (USF) must find ways to “collect every red cent” which is due to it from telecommunications providers that have not been paying over a universal levy to the Government\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

DBJ paid $3.4M for incomplete consultancy on $2.5B jobs funding programme<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) wasted an additional $3.4 million last year on consultancy, trying to determine the impact of a $2.5-billion programme which has so far failed to deliver on projects to create over 10,000 jobs in the information and communications technology (ICT)\/ business process outsourcing (BPO) sectors\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

CWC taps Tektronix for real-time RAN geoanalytics across Caribbean<\/h4>\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 Cable & Wireless Communications is deploying a new platform from Tektronix across its Caribbean operations\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

FLOW St. Kitts & Nevis Welcome to the first ever \u201cFLOW Tech Kids\u201d Initiative<\/h4>\n

Saint Kitts and Nevis <\/em>\u2013 FLOW is pleased to announce the launch of the first ever \u201cFlow Tech Kids\u201d initiative. \u201cFlow Tech Kids\u201d is an In- Store activity designed to get kids between the ages of 5 & 9 years to experience our new Retail stores and the marvels of technology by competing with their peers in an engaging and interactive 2-hour programme, testing their skills in digital game \u201cTemple Run\u201d\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Government strengthens ICT capacity<\/h4>\n

Saint Lucia <\/em>\u2013 Recently the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) donated over three hundred thousand dollars to the Electronic Document and Records Management System (EDRMS), project\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

TelEm Group cutover scheduled for Simpson Bay area Saturday.<\/h4>\n

Sint Maarten <\/em>\u2013 TelEm Group technicians will be upgrading telephone lines in the Simpson Bay area between 7:00 am in the morning and 2:00 pm in the afternoon Saturday\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Mystery solved: It\u2019s a cell phone<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 You may have seen people walking about town, holding what appears to be a landline telephone, happily chatting away into a giant handset\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Saturday, 12 December 2015<\/h3>\n

More innovation surely needed<\/h4>\n

Barbados <\/em>\u2013 We hear the word innovation a lot these days, especially as it relates to entrepreneurship; so, I want to take a little time this week to write about what innovation really means and to share a few innovations I have come across recently, and which I have found exciting\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

THE HOYOS FILE: Counting mobile VAT chickens before they hatch<\/h4>\n

Barbados<\/em> \u2013 Any tax man can raise the amount of tax you have to pay on a product or service, but it is the true genius who convinces you that it\u2019s really going to cost you less\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

CarePay RFP far too short, says IT expert<\/h4>\n

Cayman Islands <\/em>\u2013 The tight timeline ordered by Canover Watson to turn around the request for proposals for the hospital payment system contract was \u201cunprecedented\u201d, a key crown witness told the court when he gave evidence on Wednesday in the ongoing corruption trial\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

GWI probing disruption of ICT network<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 The management of Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has launched an internal investigation into disruptions of the utility company\u2019s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) network\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Digicel Group Acquires Paymaster<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Digicel Group has acquired a majority interest in bill payment and remittance company Paymaster for an undisclosed sum. Equally, there was no indication of how large a stake it is\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

JAMAICA \u2013\u2013 Fraud alert<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 With fraudsters making off with more than JAM$500 million each over the past two years, the police are warning citizens and business operators to be wary of tricksters this Christmas season\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Phone thieves jailed, face manslaughter charges<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 TWO men who stole a cellular phone and allegedly mowed down a motorcyclist while fleeing the scene were on Wednesday sentenced to two years\u2019 imprisonment\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Sunday, 13 December 2015<\/h3>\n

Samsung J5 for Christmas? Let it FLOW, let it FLOW, let it FLOW!<\/h4>\n

Barbados<\/em> \u2013 Get ready with the phone that can capture the best selfies with a flash\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

GTT opens new retail store<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin (right) and newly appointed CEO of GTT Justin Nedd (left) did the ceremonial ribbon cutting when GTT yesterday launched its retail store in the Fogarty\u2019s building\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Increase in divorce symptoms of social media \u2013 says marriage counsellor<\/h4>\n

Guyana<\/em> \u2013 With a steady rise in divorce rates, prominent Pastor and Evangelist Ivan Williams has put this phenomenon down to the increased use of social media and technology, causing a rift between couples\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Gadget Lovers Clashing With Radio Spectrum<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The proliferation of nifty home and security gadgets has begun to infringe on bandwidth, and in some cases, their signals conflict with more powerful transmission networks, rendering the consumer devices redundant\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Profiting from social media<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 The following guide is intended to aid readers in analysing the case profiting from social media\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Image\u00a0credits: \u00a0NS Newsflash<\/a> (flickr); \u00a0Wikipedia<\/a>; \u00a0Wikipedia<\/a>; \u00a0Wikipedia<\/a>; \u00a0Wikipedia<\/a>; \u00a0Wikipedia<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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