A roundup of the latest ICT\/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 2 January to Sunday 8 January 2017.<\/em><\/p>\n

\nMonday, 2 January 2017<\/h3>\n

BTC launches mobile TV service Flow to Go<\/h4>\n

Bahamas<\/em> \u2013 Bahamas operator BTC has launched a mobile TV service called Flow to Go. Customers with a mobile data subscription will receive free access for the first 30 days\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

EDITORIAL: Careful on the superhighway<\/h4>\n

Barbados <\/em>\u2013 THANKS TO THE INTERNET, and in particular social media platforms, operators of any business, regardless of its character, can increasingly find themselves managing challenges that result from the fears of customers with as much regularity as they look after routine matters such as stock or staff morale\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

GraceKennedy Brings Mobile Payments To Jamaica<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Mobile payments likely doesn\u2019t enter too many thoughts thinking about Jamaica, and that\u2019s actually a surprising omission\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Marketing Strategies Today: Webinar training pros and cons<\/h4>\n

Regional \u2013 Thanks to improved Internet connectivity, the use of webinars for training employees has become the preferred option for different organizations\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Tuesday, 3 January 2017<\/h3>\n

Technology students help provide computers in Belize<\/h4>\n

Belize<\/em> \u2013 omputer networking and repair students at Eastern Oklahoma Technology Center took the skills they acquired in class and used them to benefit students and teachers in Central America… more<\/a><\/p>\n

New Public Works radio tech will make toll plazas faster<\/h4>\n

Dominica Republic <\/em>\u2013 The Dominican Telecom Institute (Indotel) on Monday assigned two new frequencies to the Public Works Ministry, including “special antennas to be used to automate the toll system, so that motorists don’t have to stop to pay because the vehicle will have a prepaid chip that will communicate with the control cabin and they can pass through those plazas quickly\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

GTT lowers cost of high speed residential Internet service<\/h4>\n

Guyana<\/em> \u2013 The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) on Tuesday announced that it has cut the cost of two of its\u00a0domestic high-speed rates and upped the price for the lowest speed\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Caricel Heads To Court In Battle To Keep Cellular Licence<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Lawyers for the embattled Symbiote Investments Limited are gearing up for a battle with the Government this Thursday in the company’s bid to keep its cellular licence received in September last year\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

NOTICE OF CANTO\u2019s 33rd Annual General Meeting and Mini Exhibition<\/h4>\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 Dear Member, Notice is hereby given that the 33rd Annual General Meeting of Members and supporting events will be held from the 29th \u2013 31st January, 2017 at the Renaissance Resort, Curacao\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Wednesday, 4 January 2017<\/h3>\n

Digicel announces unapproved price hike<\/h4>\n

Antigua and Barbuda <\/em>\u2013 Digicel has announced that as of February 1, customers in Antigua & Barbuda will pay a 5 per cent increase in their postpaid mobile services\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Communications\u00a0service providers, URCA butt heads over QoS regulations<\/h4>\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 Mobile, fixed-line and Internet service providers are at odds with the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) over its proposed recommendations for quality of service (QoS) regulations and network performance metrics for electronic communications networks, chiefly because the companies consider existing consumer protection regulations (CPR) adequate\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

BTL Launches Region\u2019s First LTE Advanced Network<\/h4>\n

Belize <\/em>\u2013 more<\/a><\/p>\n

GTT cuts cost of Gold and Silver Internet plans<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 Effective January 1, 2017 GTT says it is offering significant reductions in the cost of the company\u2019s residential Internet service rates for Gold and Silver customers\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Caricel licence dispute taken to court<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The controversial domestic mobile spectrum licence (DMSL) granted to Symbiote Investments last September is now headed to the courts\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Digicel Foundation appoints new CEO<\/h4>\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 The Digicel Foundation has appointed Dane Richardson as its new chief executive officer, following the recent resignation of Samantha Chantrelle\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

EduFocal expanding to Nigeria<\/h4>\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 Described as the \u2018gamification\u2019 of education, EduFocal’s conceptualiser and Chief Executive Officer Gordon Swaby says the company is specifically focused on offering its service to the city of Lagos which is estimated to have a population of 21 million people, in a country of about 185 million\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0Montague Reprimands Digicel Over National Security Concern<\/h4>\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 There are reports this afternoon that officials at the telecommunications company Digicel\u00a0 have been reprimanded by the Government for failing to address specific national security concerns that were identified from as far back as last August\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Revoking Caricel’s Licence Could Cost Taxpayers Millions<\/h4>\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 Jamaican taxpayers could be forced to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to telecommunications company\u00a0Symbiote Investments Limited if the Government goes through with plans to revoke its cellular licence\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Whatsapp Most Popular Social Media App Among Jamaican Diaspora<\/h4>\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 As many as 60 per cent of Jamaicans residing overseas are opting to utilise instant messaging application WhatsApp over other means of communicating with loved ones\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

CANTO Welcomes Caribbean ICT Collaboration Committee<\/h4>\n

Regional \u2013 In a move to shape and align the strategic ICT agenda in the region, the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) brought several regional ICT stakeholders together at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Port of Spain, Trinidad on 5th and 6th December 2016\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Thursday, 5 January 2017<\/h3>\n

eRAD Donates PACS to Hospital in Grenada<\/h4>\n

Grenada <\/em>\u2013 eRAD announced today that it has successfully deployed its PACS at St. George\u2019s General Hospital in Grenada as part of a philanthropic effort by the company to bring the benefits of digital imaging to Grenadians\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

No justification given by GTT for raise in bronze plan rates<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 Dear Editor,\u00a0 It seems like daily in Guyana we are being subjected to increasing in prices every way you turn, the latest shock and downright disrespect for citizen comes from GTT\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Broadcast Commission appoints new chairman<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Professor Anthony Clayton has been appointed chairman of the Broadcasting Commission with effect from November 1, 2016\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Caricel Woes Grow – US Turns Up Heat, Allegedly Provides Evidence To Gov’t<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The United States government, through its embassy here, has reportedly turned over ‘hard evidence’ to the Andrew Holness administration on why it should revoke the spectrum licence to Symbiote Investments Limited, the Jamaican company that wants to become a provider of telecoms services\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

UK grants GBP 5 mln for broadband in Montserrat<\/h4>\n

Montserrat <\/em>\u2013 The UK Department for International Development (DFID) said it will give GBP 4.94 million to deploy superfast (24 Mbps+) broadband on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, ISPreview reported\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Digicel announces local postpaid hike<\/h4>\n

Saint Lucia <\/em>\u2013 Digicel has announced a \u2018small\u2019 increase in postpaid plan subscriptions in Saint Lucia effective February 1, 2017\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

TSTT shows appreciation for partnership with govt agencies<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 As a government-owned business and the lone national telecommunications company in T&T serving both citizens and government agencies, TSTT has fostered a strong collaborative partnership with the various state ministries across the country, as it continues to do its part to provide necessary technological support to the public sector\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Friday, 6 January 2017<\/h3>\n

FNMs no-show at BTC\u2008probe meeting<\/h4>\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 Members of the Official Opposition appointed to the select committee set to probe the controversial 2011 sale of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) were no-shows at the committee\u2019s first meeting yesterday, according to its chairman, Golden Isles MP Shane Gibson\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Select Committee Into BTC Sale Holds First Meeting<\/h4>\n

Bahamas <\/em>\u2013 THE first meeting of the select committee established to probe the sale of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company Ltd resulted in a no show from Official Opposition members yesterday\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Dominican regulator to assign frequencies for airport security<\/h4>\n

Dominican Republic<\/em> \u2013 Dominican Republic telecom regulator Indotel is expected to assign new spectrum frequencies to airport security agency Cesac\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Caricel Hearing Continues Today<\/h4>\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 Lawyers involved in the court challenge brought by Symbiote Investments Limited against the Andrew Holness administration yesterday declined to comment on the case after nearly four hours of legal arguments before the Supreme Court\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Gag order on Caricel court hearing<\/h4>\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 ATTORNEYS in the legal battle brewing between the Government and local mobile phone provider Symbiote (Caricel) have been ordered not to make any further public pronouncements on the matter\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Jamaica’s Caricel to take legal action over licence award<\/h4>\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 Jamaica\u2019s Symbiote Investments, the holding company for the Caricel brand, has taken the country\u2019s Spectrum Management Authority (SMA) to court in an attempt to secure the mobile operating concession it was awarded back in September 2016, reports the Jamaica Gleaner\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Ruling on Caricel injunction bid expected on January 24<\/h4>\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 It will be known later this month if an injunction will be granted blocking the revocation or suspension of the telecommunications licence issued to Symbiote Investments. The Supreme Court will hand down its decision on January 24\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Symbiote still pushing for third licence award<\/h4>\n

Jamaica<\/em> \u2013 Jamaica\u2019s prospective third mobile licensee Symbiote Investments has launched a legal battle to allow it to retain the operating concession it was awarded in September. According to a report from the Jamaica Gleaner, the country\u2019s Spectrum Management Authority (SMA) has called for an investigation to be launched into the licensing of the firm, but Symbiote is challenging the move in a court case which is due to begin today (Thursday 5 January 2017)\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

US telecoms boss pleads guilty to fraud charges which involve Jamaica<\/h4>\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is reporting that the owner and operator of a Florida-based telecommunications company has pleaded guilty in relation to a global cellphone fraud scheme linked to the Caribbean, including Jamaica\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

UWI, Caribbean CaribVision launch UWI-TV<\/h4>\n

Regional <\/em>\u2013 The University of the West Indies (UWI) in partnership with CaribVision, the regional cable service of the Caribbean Media Corporation, and the RJR Group have launched UWI-TV, a new multimedia public information and education service\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Major call centre investment for Saint Lucia<\/h4>\n

Saint Lucia <\/em>\u2013 A major US-based call centre will be launched in Saint Lucia creating hundreds of jobs, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet has announced\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Saturday, 7 January 2017<\/h3>\n

Commentary: The View from Europe: The US should respect the WTO ruling on Antigua<\/h4>\n

Antigua and Barbuda <\/em>\u2013 Late last November, the government of Antigua gave notice to the World Trade Organisation\u2019s (WTO) Disputes Settlement Body (DSB) that, if the United States did not reach \u201can appropriate and beneficial settlement\u201d in relation to a legal adjudication made previously in its favour, it would act to recover the revenue it has lost\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Guyana internet users blacklisted by Google and several US banks over IP security concerns<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 Guyanese who rely on the internet to handle online banking and online payment processing with a number of US banks and payment gateways, may soon be unable to do so after several US based payment processors have decided to blacklist a number of Internet Protocol (IP) ranges that are being used by Guyanese to handle online transactions and general internet usage\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Data-driven procurement process to tackle drugs shortage \u2013 Minister Norton<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 Without admitting that the Ministry of Public Health was, during the past year, plagued with issues of drugs shortage and even struggled with complete unavailability in some cases, Ministry officials are assuring that this trend will be reversed in 2017\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Court to hand down Caricel ruling Jan 24<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 THE Supreme Court is to rule January 24 on the application from telecoms provider Symbiote Investments Limited seeking to block the Government from taking back the domestic mobile spectrum licence which it issued to the company last September\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Digicel to fast-track blocking cell phones in prisons<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 Telecommunications company Digicel has said it has expedited a process to come up with a solution for the installation of mobile phone-jamming equipment in prisons, confirming a report that it was reprimanded by National Security Minister Robert Montague for taking too long to complete the process\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0Telecom company owner jailed for involvement in fraud link to Caribbean<\/h4>\n

Jamaica <\/em>\u2013 The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) says the owner and operator of a Florida-based telecommunications company has been sentenced to 52 months in prison in connection with a sophisticated global cellphone fraud scheme linked to the Caribbean\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

C-SAFE app by PLOTT being utilized<\/h4>\n

Trinidad and Tobago <\/em>\u2013 A MERE two weeks after its launch, C-SAFE; the free anti- crime app from the group, Powerful Ladies of Trinidad and Tobago (PLOTT), has already been downloaded more than 3,000 times and is used on a regular basis daily\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Sunday, 8 January 2017<\/h3>\n

CCTV capture bare-faced bandits breaking into goods van<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 About three men in a black Toyota Raum were seen shortly after noon, yesterday, breaking into and emptying a grocery can which was parked just off the high bridge at the La Penitence Market, Georgetown\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

CONSUMER CONCERNS\u2026YOU CAN GET YOUR LANDLINE PHONE NOW<\/h4>\n

Guyana <\/em>\u2013 Since last December, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) under its Chairman former High Court Judge, Justice (retd) Prem Persaud CCH has been conducting Hearings to consider GTT\u2019s request to increase landline rates. The Guyana Consumers Association (GCA) has been opposing such increases, and later in this article we will outline the respective positions of GTT and GCA and the consumer community\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

Operation of a broadcasting station<\/h4>\n

Haiti <\/em>\u2013 Jean Marie Altema, Director General of the National Telecommunications Council (CONATEL) reminded everyone that “in accordance with the provisions of Article 13 of the Decree of 12 October 1977 granting the Haitian State a monopoly on telecommunications services, the establishment and operation of a broadcasting station (radio or TV) on Haitian territory, are subject to obtaining a broadcasting concession issued by the Haitian State via CONATEL, following the authorization issued by the Ministry of the Interior and Local Authorities (MICT).” \u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Image credits: \u00a0Yukio\u00a0Matsuoka<\/a> (flickr); \u00a0The West Indian News<\/a>; \u00a0Wikimedia<\/a>; \u00a0Wikipedia<\/a>; \u00a0<\/em>Wikipedia<\/a>; \u00a0Wikipedia<\/a><\/i>
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