{"id":82358,"date":"2016-05-16T07:00:41","date_gmt":"2016-05-16T12:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=82358"},"modified":"2017-04-07T15:17:32","modified_gmt":"2017-04-07T20:17:32","slug":"roundup-week-15-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2016\/05\/roundup-week-15-2016\/","title":{"rendered":"Roundup: for the week ending 15 May 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

A roundup of the latest ICT\/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 9 May to Sunday 15 May 2016.<\/em><\/p>\n

\nMonday, 9 May 2016<\/h3>\n

PM:\u00a0BTC \u2018given away for nothing\u2019<\/h4>\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 Prime Minister Perry Christie said that, given the fact that government\u2019s debt in connection with the legacy pension for workers of Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC)\u2008is nearing $100 million, BTC\u2008was \u201cgiven away for nothing\u201d\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

URCA Fires Back At Cable On Regulatory Approach<\/h4>\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 Regulators have thrown criticism of their approach back at Cable Bahamas, saying they receive \u201cnumerous complaints of anti-competitive behaviour\u201d by the two major carriers\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

BREAKING: Final BTL arbitration award may be as much as US$220 million<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 Reliable information to Breaking Belize News is that the arbitration tribunal deciding the value of the shares in Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) at the time of the first nationalization by Government in 2009 has set that figure at as much as 220 million US dollars\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

The Staggering Cost of BTL Acquisition Now Being Tallied<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 The full bill for the BTL acquisition is coming due and it’s in the hundreds of millions of dollars\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

GTT launches 4G service<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 GTT today unveiled its 4G service\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

GTT launches 4G service; says rates cater for reduced mobile, landline earnings<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), which launched its 4G service on Monday, said its pricing plans cater for declining revenue from other services\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Easy Money Solutions For Jamaicans<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 QUISK, a Silicon Valley, San Francisco, mobile-payment company, and Advanced Integrated Systems (AIS) – Jamaica’s transaction-processing provider, have partnered to provide mobile money solutions for Jamaica and the Caribbean… more<\/a><\/p>\n

Parents Urged to Monitor Children\u2019s Use of Social Media<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Superintendent of Police, Merrick Watson, is appealing for parents to monitor their children\u2019s activity on social media\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Sutherland Global aims to transform Mandeville<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Sutherland Global Services has already made significant impact with the employment of 800 \u201cprofessionals\u201d since last October at its business process outsourcing centre on Ward Avenue, in this south central town\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Affordable access to telecommunications throughout underserved communities in St Lucia \u2013 NTRC\/ USF<\/h4>\n

Saint Lucia<\/em> \u2013 The Universal Service Fund (USF) regulations was established in 2008 under the Telecommunications Act (2000)\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Tuesday, 10 May 2016<\/h3>\n

URCA\u2008to\u00a0examine regime governing Skype, WhatsApp<\/h4>\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 By the summer of 2016, the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA)\u2008will be looking at the regulatory environment and framework for over-the-top (OTT) services like Skype and WhatsApp,.. more<\/a><\/p>\n

Digicel responds to reports of a third player<\/h4>\n

Barbados<\/em> \u2013 Telecommunications provider Digicel said it was not bothered by the prospect of a third company entering the local market\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Schools get new computers<\/h4>\n

Barbados<\/em> \u2013 THREE MORE PRIMARY schools received computers for the Khan Academy Mathematics Initiative this morning\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Dominican_RepublicDominican Telecom aims to shield children from Web threats<\/h4>\n

Dominican Republic <\/em>\u2013 The Dominican Telecom Institute (Indotel) and Justice Ministry work to implement a National Cybersecurity Strategy, with a special section aimed at children and adolescents, to ensure their protection when they use the Web and make them become “true digital citizens.\u201d \u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

E-Governance Unit gets boost from India, China training<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 The E-Governance Unit within the Ministry of Public Telecommunications has received a boost from the Governments of India and China\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

BCJ Denies Reports Of Impending Regulations For Internet Protocol TV<\/h4>\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 Chairman\u00a0of the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica (BCJ) professor Hopeton Dunn has denied reports that the commission will soon be regulating Internet Protocol television (IPTV) in Jamaica\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

The future of ICT*<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 Fantastic opportunities await the bold women who choose a career in ICT. Blink | bmobile took the opportunity on International Girls in ICT Day to encourage female pupils to study ICT and aspire to the highest positions in ICT businesses\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Wednesday, 11 May 2016<\/h3>\n

Minister promises GATE cadets outstanding stipend<\/h4>\n

Antigua and Barbuda<\/em> \u2013 Minister of Telecommunications and Information Technology Melford Nicholas said the approximately 39 cadets from the Government Assisted Technology Endeavor (GATE) will be paid on Friday\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

B.T.L. Announces Record Earnings<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 As we reported earlier, government will have to pay more than two hundred million dollars to Dunkeld in an arbitration award for the expropriation of Telemedia\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

B.T.L. Award, How Much Will G.O.B. Have to Fork Over?<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 The decision of an arbitration award for B.T.L. shares is perhaps weeks away, but there is early information suggesting that the value to be paid to Dunkeld International and other former shareholders will be in the range of five dollars and sixty cents per share\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

BTL Reports 10% Spike In Revenue<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 But as the major shareholder in BTL, government does have some reason for optimism\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

ICTA probes C&W head\u2019s right to work<\/h4>\n

Cayman Islands <\/em>\u2013 Allegations that local telecommunications company Cable & Wireless (Cayman Islands) Ltd has been misleading the immigration department over its senior management team were given credibility Wednesday when the Information and Communications Technology Authority issued a statement asking for the current CEO\u2019s replacement with a person who is \u201clegally resident in the country\u201d\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

T-Mobile signs Cuba roaming deal<\/h4>\n

Cuba <\/em>\u2013 T-Mobile has signed an interconnect and roaming agreement with Empresa De Telecomunicaciones De Cuba, SA (ETECSA), the Cuban telecommunications company… more<\/a><\/p>\n

Thursday, 12 May 2016<\/h3>\n

BTC Wants 50% Cut To Cable\u2019s Roaming<\/h4>\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) is demanding a 50 per cent cut to the time its new Cable Bahamas-managed mobile rival is allowed to use its network, arguing that 36 months is \u201ctoo lenient\u201d\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Cable Shareholders Suffer $14.37m Loss Over Us Writedown<\/h4>\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 Cable Bahamas shareholders suffered a collective $14.371 million net loss for 2015, driven by a one-off $20.5 million accounting \u2018write down\u2019 associated with its US operations\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"http:\/\/www.belizeweb.com\/telemedia-related-sites.htm\"BTL reports uptick in revenue<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 Belize Telemedia Limited\u2019s chair of the executive committee Anwar Barrow and other executives of the state-owned company yesterday afternoon briefed the media on its preliminary earnings for this year\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

BTL valued at 253 million!<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 The government of Belize has announced that the Permanent Court of Arbitration Tribunal has issued a draft decision on the valued BTL\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

ICTA pulls rank on Cable & Wireless<\/h4>\n

Cayman Islands <\/em>\u2013 The Information and Communications Technology Authority (ICTA) has pulled the plug on discussions with senior management at Cable & Wireless (Cayman Islands) Ltd as it says it has \u201cuncovered some troubling irregularities\u201d as it relates to the legal status of employees engaged in licensing discussions with the Authority\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Landline competition likely<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 As Guyana prepares for formal liberalization of the telecommunications sector, Digicel is eyeing the provision of landline services, prompting the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) to call for a level playing field\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Friday, 13 May 2016<\/h3>\n

CBL, BTC respond to proposed national roaming agreement<\/h4>\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 Bahamian telecoms regulator the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) has published industry responses to its proposal to impose a significant market power (SMP) obligation on incumbent Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), forcing it to provide access to its network to newcomer Cable Bahamas Ltd (CBL)-managed NewCo via a national roaming agreement\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Third\u00a0suspect charged in BTC store robbery<\/h4>\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 A third person was charged in a magistrate\u2019s court yesterday afternoon in connection with a break-in at the Bahamas Telecommunications Company\u2019s (BTC) store at RND Plaza on John F. Kennedy Drive in late April\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Barrow\u2019s HALF BILLION DOLLAR Bukut!! \u2013 \u201cWe [taxpayers] must pay,\u201d says PM, six years after BTL takeover<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 Prime Minister Dean Barrow returned today after a five-day trip to the United States of America for medical reasons\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

GOB may still owe $168 million for BTL<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 The Government of Belize (GOB) may still owe the former owners of the BTL (Belize Telecommunications Ltd.) BZ $168 million as compensation for its acquisition of 45,199,961 BTL shares in August 2009\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

John Briceno attacks BTL compensation award<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 The Government of Belize has more or less confirmed the final payment to be made to the former owners of Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) for the two nationalizations of the company between 2009 and 2011, subject to a final ruling by the Netherlands\u2019 Permanent Court of International Arbitration\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Opposition Leader Says Belizeans were Hoodwinked with the BTL Takeover<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 Belize stands to pay millions of dollars to Lord Michael Ashcroft following the nationalization of the Belize Telemedia Limited in 2009\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

LIME now changed to Flow BVI<\/h4>\n

British Virgin Islands <\/em>\u2013 The British Virgin Islands (BVI) today joined 14 other Cable & Wireless markets across the Caribbean that have undergone a complete brand transformation as the new Flow replaces the former LIME brand\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Cayman_IslandsC&W now subject to immigration enquiry<\/h4>\n

Cayman Islands <\/em>\u2013 Following news this week that the Information and Communications Technology Authority (ICTA) had raised concerns about the legal status of the Cable & Wireless CEO here in Cayman, the immigration department has confirmed that it has opened an investigation\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Regulator tells telecom company to get new CEO<\/h4>\n

Cayman Islands <\/em>\u2013 Difficulties regarding legal residency status with at least one senior executive at Cable & Wireless (Cayman Islands) Ltd. have led to a formal inquiry by Cayman\u2019s telecommunications regulator, the agency announced late Wednesday\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

BUSINESS BYTE: Digicel launches 10th anniversary promotions in Dominica<\/h4>\n

Dominica <\/em>\u2013 Digicel is giving its customers a chance to win thousands of dollars in cash and prizes as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Digicel celebrates 10 years; over US$50-million invested in Dominica<\/h4>\n

Dominica <\/em>\u2013 As Digicel celebrates its 10th year of operations on the island, Country Manager of the company, Richard Stanton has revealed that the company has invested over US$50 million in the last decade in Dominica\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Dominican Republic\u2019s leading online realtor launches redesigned website<\/h4>\n

Dominican Republic <\/em>\u2013 The online realtor indominicana.com specialized in Dominican Republic real estate on Thursday launched a redesigned website, with features that allow easy access to properties across the country\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Guyana taps FCC for better spectrum management, telecoms regulation<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 The Guyana government hopes that expertise recently shared by top officials of the United States\u2019 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will help create a better regulatory environment\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

ECTEL to commemorate World Telecommunication and Information Society Day \u2013<\/h4>\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 The Eastern Caribbean\u00a0Telecommunications Authority, ECTEL, will join the world to commemorate World Telecommunication and Information Society Day\u00a02016, on Monday, May 17th\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Flow Gives Customers More Self Help Access via New State-of-the-Art Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System<\/h4>\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 In its continuing effort to give customers more ways to access its services and transform its customer experience, Flow has introduced an upgraded state-of-the-art Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system which facilitates self-serve options 24 hours per day, 7 days per week\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Saturday, 14 May 2016<\/h3>\n

New mindset needed<\/h4>\n

Barbados<\/em> \u2013 The manufacturing sector is poised to play a significant role in the future growth of Barbados\u2019 economy. However, some key changes must be made in order for this to be achieved, officials say\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

DirectoryGY launched as official jubilee app<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 A new application developed by local entrepreneurs \u2013 DirectoryGY was last evening declared the official app for Guyana\u2019s 50th<\/sup> Anniversary celebration by Telecommunication and Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes at its official launching\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"GuyanaLocal animated TV series for September launch<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 Tinniben Animation and E-Networks are set to launch Guyana\u2019s first episodic animated television series, Nancy\u2019s School Daze, which will begin airing in September\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

U.S. telecoms authority offers Govt. help in developing sector<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 US telecommunication authorities have offered Guyana help in managing the country\u2019s spectrum and regulatory practices\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

ECTEL\u00a0Woos Girls To ICT<\/h4>\n

Regional<\/em> \u2013 THE Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority, ECTEL, will join the world to commemorate World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on Monday. ECTEL is also at the same time recognizing girls in ICT Day which was observed on April 28, 2016\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

FLOW contributes to success of Jazz<\/h4>\n

Saint Lucia<\/em> \u2013 Flow has congratulated the St. Lucia Tourist Board on the staging of yet another successful St. Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

FLOW notice to customers<\/h4>\n

Saint Lucia<\/em> \u2013 Flow wishes to advise all customers that we have incurred significant damage to our Reduit Cabinet 8 located in the Windjammer junction due to a vehicular accident\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Sunday, 15 May 2016<\/h3>\n

Digicel Barbados Gives Prepaid Customers Even More Data<\/h4>\n

Barbados <\/em>\u2013 Digicel Barbados has announced the launch of its new suite of best value data plans which give prepaid customers even more data, plus greater freedom to use their data the way they want\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Local company launches \u2018everything Guyana\u2019 app<\/h4>\n

Guyana<\/em> \u2013 Thanks to a team of local technological developers and entrepreneurs, access to a full service directory for \u2018everything Guyana\u2019 can now be in the palm of your hands with Directory.gy, a new software application that was launched on Friday evening at the Pegasus hotel\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Intermittent dial tone a constant annoyance<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Dear Claudienne, For many years my landline LIME phone has had an intermittent dial tone. Service is out for hours, days or weeks, and calls are often cut off\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Local companies take advantage of recession<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 US-based Rockwell Automation, the world\u2019s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information technology, was in T&T recently where they partnered with their only local authorised distributor, Warren-ECM of Charlieville, Chaguanas, to train key people from various industries to improve competitiveness\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Image credits: \u00a0journalismthatmatters<\/a> (flickr); \u00a0Wikipedia<\/a>; \u00a0Belize Web<\/a>; \u00a0Wikipedia<\/a>; \u00a0Wikipedia<\/a>; \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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

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