A roundup of ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region during the period Monday 18 February to Sunday 24 February 2013.
Monday, 18 February 2012
BTC To Invest Millions In New Cell Build-Out
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) is set to invest several million dollars in building-out 15-18 new cell phone tower sites nationwide within the next 14-18 months, having already switched 25 per cent of its fixed-line customers over to the Next Generation Network (NGN)… more
FNM chairman criticizes govt for BTC ‘witch hunt’
Bahamas – Free National Movement (FNM) Chairman Darron Cash yesterday defended his opposition to the sale of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) in 2011 and criticized the government for conducting a “witch hunt” on the sale of the company, calling it “pure comedy”… more
Avaya international technology event recognizes Anixter Dominicana
Dominican Republic – Anixter Dominicana, one of the country’s leading companies in technology solutions, was recognized as the best company which provides support to Avaya operations in the Dominican Republic clients in 2012… more
The revolution NATCOM
Haiti – The company NATCOM, a consortium, created in April 2010 between the Group Viettel Telecom (60%), [a subsidiary of the Vietnamese army] and the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (40%), has revolutionized the Telecommunications Sector in Haiti since the launch of its services in Haiti, September 7, 2011… more
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
Officials Deny CI Company Registry Hacked
Cayman Islands – The servers which hold information on the companies registered in the Cayman Islands have not been breached, officials from the Financial Services Ministry stated Monday… more
Citi launches m-payment service in Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic – Citi has signed a partnership agreement with mobile payment administrator GCS Systems to launch a mobile payment service dubbed ‘Citi Mobile Collect’… more
Cyber-Thingy™ to Present a Lottery and Gaming Software Solution To The Government of The Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic – Cyber Kiosk Solutions, Inc. (OTCPINK:CYBK) through its strategic relationship with one of the Government licensed Lottery dealers in the Dominican Republic will be presenting a lottery and gaming software solution to the Government of the Dominican Republic… more
Digicel Limited Commences Tender Offer And Consent Solicitation For Any And All Of Its 12% Senior Notes Due 2014
Jamaica – Digicel Limited (“Digicel” or the “Company”) today announced that it has commenced a cash tender offer, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Company’s Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement dated February 19, 2013 (the “Statement”), for any and all of its outstanding 12% senior notes due 2014 (the “Notes”)… more
TEXT-Fitch rates Digicel’s proposed notes ‘B/RR4(exp)’
Regional – Digicel Limited’s (DL) proposed US$700 million senior notes due 2021. Proceeds from the issuance are expected to be used to refinance DL’s US$510 million senior notes due 2014 and for general corporate uses… more
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
Hackers spark credit card chaos
Bahamas – Financial institutions in The Bahamas are scrambling to solve a major data breach at an international acquiring company that compromised thousands of credit cards… more
Johnson: BTC hitting all of the Key Performance Indicators
Bahamas – The Rotary Club of Lucaya hosted a meeting at which BTC executive told of the company’s accomplishments since being taken over by Cable & Wireless… more
Mixed reaction to URCA decision on CBL
Bahamas – The business community has expressed mixed reviews on the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority’s (URCA) decision to deny Cable Bahamas Limited’s (CBL) request to increase its monthly subscription rates… more
‘Shocking’ findings on BTC deal
Bahamas – Members of the government’s committee engaged in the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) take back talks have found “shocking revelations” regarding the sale that they believe are so serious the public has a right to know… more
Installation of Govt. Fibre Optic Cable…Contractor’s shoddy work is now Ministry’s burden
Guyana – The Public Works Ministry is now tasked with correcting shoddy laying of the fibre optic cable from Kurupkari to Mabura by one of the project’s contractors … more
DPP wants cyber defamation criminalised
Jamaica – The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is urging Parliament to criminalise cyber defamation… more
Hackers attack at least four state bodies in two weeks
Jamaica – Hackers have launched cyber attacks on at least four public sector entities in two weeks, Julian Robinson, chairman of a joint-select committee of Parliament considering the review of Cyber Crimes Act, said today… more
Mobile money just steps away
Jamaica – Jamaica is not too far away from seeing money remitted from overseas being sent to mobile phones… more
OUR Opens IXP Talks In Jamaica
Jamaica – The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) opened discussions about the establishment of Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) in Jamaica at a symposium hosted for industry stakeholders at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel… more
Profit closer to LIME’s bottom line
Jamaica – LIME Jamaica’s profit moved closer to the bottom line at the end of 2012… more
LTE connections to more than double in 2013
Regional – Some 150 operators worldwide have launched commercial LTE services in 67 countries, 50 of which were launched in the past five months, according to a report by trade association 4G Americas… more
Thursday, 21 February 2013
Comverse Solutions Power 4G Business Transformation at The Bahamas Telecommunications Company Ltd. (BTC)
Bahamas – Comverse announced today that Bahamas Telecommunications Company Ltd. (BTC), a leading provider of multi-play services in the Bahamas and a subsidiary of Cable & Wireless Communications PLC, has successfully deployed the Comverse ONE Real-Time Billing & Active Customer Management solution to support its business transformation and optimize its new 4G infrastructure for new service enablement and monetization, together with Comverse SMSC and USSD services… more
Broadcast regulations must be done to satisfy the public’s interest, not for political gain
Guyana – Dear Editor, Who exactly does the government think we are? … more
Cabinet approves central office for ICT projects
Jamaica – Cabinet has approved the formation of a central office to handle all Government information communication and technology (ICT) projects in the island… more
Govt. ICT Network to Be Managed By Single Entity
Jamaica – A central entity is to be set up to manage the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) network of the Government… more
Ministers Hail UWI E-Book Project
Jamaica – Minister of Education, Rev. the Hon. Ronald Thwaites, has hailed the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) electronic book (e-book) initiative, noting that it will save students significant sums in textbook costs… more
Caribbean cell phone company asks South Florida relatives to buy minutes for family back home
Jamaica – An Irish billionaire’s telecommunications company, which has revolutionized cell phone usage in some of the world’s poorest countries, is bringing it’s latest marketing pitch to South Florida… more
Regional leaders want end to US, Antigua dispute
Regional – Caribbean leaders are calling on the United States to comply with the ruling by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to end the long-running dispute with Antigua and Barbuda on Internet gaming… more
Technology and TT
Trinidad & Tobago – THE annual Trade and Investment Convention (TIC) first opened in March 2000 and thirteen years later it has grown into the largest business convention of its kind in the Caribbean… more
Friday, 22 February 2013
Police continue mobile phone, DUI crackdown
Cayman Islands – Between the 13 -18 February police have ticketed 6 persons for using their mobile phones while driving… more
Guyana Telephone taps Mahindra Comviva for mobile financial services
Guyana – Guyana Telephone & Telegraph (GT&T) has tapped Mahindra Comviva to offer mobile financial services… more
Outcry against state radio, TV calypso ban; gov’t enquiring
Guyana – At least two prominent Guyanese singers on Friday expressed disappointment and fear at a decision to ban the 2013 calypsos from the airwaves of the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN)… more
Weak cybercrimes law hurting police investigations
Jamaica – Experts from the Organised Crime Investigative Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force say deficiencies in the present Cybercrimes Act have made prosecuting some criminals who prey on young girls extremely difficult… more
AT&T Recaps $325M ’10-’12 Investments In Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico – Wireless carrier AT&T on Thursday provided a recap of its investments in its Puerto Rico wireless and wireline networks from 2010 through 2012 totaling more than $325 million as it focuses on expanding 4G LTE mobile Internet coverage and enhancing the overall performance of its infrastructure… more
Saturday, 23 February 2013
Teachers must embrace technology
Jamaica – There are many schools in Jamaica that are well equipped with computer labs. However, they are locked away by some administrators for safe keeping in fear of their teachers and students “mashing them up!”… more
Sunday, 24 February 2013
LlamaRepublicaDominicana.com Offers Lower Rates on Dominican Republic National Day
Dominican Republic – LlamaRepublicaDominicana.com is happy to offer anniversary calls by providing 60% lower rates to call Dominican Republic. The rate of 1¢/minute is available for calls to all landlines in Dominican Republic on February 27th, Dominican Republic National Day… more
GT&T still enjoys stay in Samuels case
Guyana – On Friday, Justice B.S. Roy heard arguments from counsel for Mr. James Samuels and Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) regarding procedural issues arising from GT&T’s appeal of Justice Rishi Persaud’s decision in June, 2012 regarding Mr. Samuels’ contract dispute with GT&T… more
Computer Whiz From Primary School – Government Moving To Introduce E-Learning To Toddlers
Jamaica – Government is now looking at moving the E-Learning project to primary schools. The seven-year old project now targets secondary schools and teachers’ colleges and provides them with broadband access to the Internet, audio visual equipment, and other information and communications technology aids… more
CANTO’s 29th AGM & Mini Expo Climaxes With The Launch Of The CANTO/IDB Broadband Infrastructure Inventory And Public Awareness In The Caribbean (BIIPAC) Project Launch
Trinidad & Tobago – Amidst the buzz and hype of the popular annual Carnival festivities of Trinidad & Tobago, CANTO and Telecommunications Services of Trinidad & Tobago (TSTT) successfully co-hosted CANTO’s 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) & Mini Expo at the Hyatt Regency Hotel… more
Image credits: NS Newsflash / flickr; Brands of the World; Facebook; The West India News
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