A roundup of ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 17 November to 23 November 2014.
Monday, 17 November 2014
Second Cellular Network Important for Bahamas Communications Resilience
Bahamas – The Government of The Bahamas embarked on the initial stages of liberalizing the mobile phone market in the country, November 12, when Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Chrisite said that after ‘years of waiting,’ competition in cellular telephone services was imminent… more
Orange Dominicana, Banco Popular launch new service
Dominican Republic – Mobile telephony operator Orange Dominicana has launched a new mobile financial service in association with local bank Banco Popular Dominicano… more
LIME launches Christmas campaign in Mandeville
Jamaica – Telecoms provider Lime recently launched its Christmas campaign and introduced its 4G service to this south-central town with a parade through the streets… more
Technology Minister Cites Emerging Opportunities In ICT Sector
Jamaica – Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Minister, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, says there are numerous emerging opportunities available within the information and communication technology (ICT) sector for young entrepreneurs… more
Tuesday, 18 November 2014
FTC probe
Barbados – THE FAIR TRADING COMMISSION (FTC) is assuring Barbadians that it is on the case of two corporate giants whose recent business decisions have angered consumers… more
LIME in the wrong?
Barbados – The Fair Trading Commission (FTC) is investigating whether a move by telecommunications company LIME to charge just under $5 for printed bills is in breach of its contract with customers or “excessive, unreasonable, discriminatory or predatory”… more
Smart and BTL battle over “10,000” customers
Belize – Since the cyber-attacks against Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) made the headlines four months ago, in July 2014, things have been relatively quiet on the telecommunications front, but customers in southern Belize, primarily those connected to SpeedNet/Smart, have been grappling with major connectivity issues… more
Cost savings help push up EBITDA at Altice
Dominican Republic – The Luxembourg-based telecoms investment group Altice has reported revenues of EUR832.3 million (USD1.04 billion) for its third quarter to 30 September 2014, down 0.3% year-on-year… more
AS I SEE THINGS: Let the games begin
Regional – For many decades, Cable and Wireless (now LIME) operated as the single provider of telecommunications services in the Caribbean and has undoubtedly transformed that vital industry with massive amounts of investment in required infrastructure and human resource development… more
Cable & Wireless US$3B Deal to Acquire Columbus Exposes Vulnerabilities in Caribbean Telecom Sector
Regional – When Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) announced an agreement to acquire Columbus International, news of the deal sparked widespread concerns about the impact of reduced competition on consumer pricing, infrastructure investment and wider economic development in the Caribbean… more
Digicel hits back at C&W’s “sour grapes” comment
Regional – In a clash of words telecoms company Digicel today lashed out at rivals Cable and Wireless for assertions that the company is suffering from “sour grapes” regarding the recent acquisition of Columbus Communication… more
TelEm Group restoration work picking up pace, new areas of activity named.
Sint Maarten – TelEm Group technicians are picking up the pace with restoration works in several areas of the island following the passing of Hurricane Gonzalo in mid-October and many days of torrential rain in the past two weeks… more
Wednesday, 19 November 2014
Cable invests $3m with eye on mobile
Bahamas – Cable Bahamas has invested $3 million to upgrade service quality on its fixed-line REVOICE network… more
EDITORIAL: Consumer voice too long missing
Barbados – The plans by LIME to charge customers who want to continue receiving printed bills and the move by CIBC FirstCaribbean to change contractual arrangements may be good business decisions… more
Police issue warnings over latest scams
Cayman Islands – he RCIPS are warning people to be on the look-out for fraudulent adverts and callers as a result of mounting scam reports… more
CWC Overpaid For Columbus By Us$1B, Says Digicel
Regional – Smarting from comments that it was motivated by sour grapes, Digicel Group is doubling down on its plan to push for aggressive review of the pending CWC/Columbus International tie-up Tuesday, even as it alleged that its British rival negotiated a bad deal… more
Thursday, 20 November 2014
BTC installs five new mobile towers
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) has installed five new cellular towers in New Providence, in a bid to improve service quality for mobile phone users in key traffic areas… more
Cable Bahamas gets REVOICE ready for mobile service with $3 million network upgrade
Bahamas – Cable Bahamas has announced that its REVOICE phone service is operating at an optimal level following the success of a $3 million network upgrade… more
Telecom update
Barbados – A high-powered team from the newly combined telecommunications force of Cable & Wireless (C&W) and Columbus International spent yesterday in a rapid round of meetings with top officials including Prime Minister Freundel Stuart… more
Unfair move by LIME
Barbados – We have received a letter from Lime stating that as of January 1, 2015, they will be charging $4.68 for a written bill… more
Random targets in new telephone scam – FIA
British Virgin Islands – he Financial Investigation Agency (FIA) has issued a public advisory for residents of the British Virgin Islands to be mindful of what it said is a telephone scam that emerged recently… more
Data protection ‘removes’ right to trial
Cayman Islands – Few people understand legislation proposed to protect privacy rights in Cayman, and the Data Protection Bill (2014), if passed in its current form, may end up violating other human rights, including the right to a fair trial, according to the Cayman Islands Human Rights Commission… more
Digicel welcomes stance taken by Ectel in relation to proposed acquisition of Columbus by Cable and Wireless
Regional – Digicel welcomed the confirmation by the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ECTEL) that the proposed merger between Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) and Columbus Communications Inc. (Columbus) is a matter of significant public interest for the region deserving of rigourous regulatory attention and diligent review… more
ECTEL: C&W, Columbus may be in breach of licences
Regional – Mobile service provider Digicel yesterday said it welcomed statements by the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ECTEL) that Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) purchase of Columbus Communications Inc was a matter of significant public interest for the region deserving of rigorous regulatory attention and diligent review… more
Meetings start
Regional – OFFICIALS of Cable and Wireless and Columbus Communications (FLOW) got down to business yesterday when they held meetings with Barbados Government representatives and those of the regulators, including the Fair Trading Commission, and the official Opposition… more
Catholic Church partners with local developer to give app technology a higher calling
Trinidad and Tobago – The Roman Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Port of Spain is taking a leap of faith into the world of digital technology… more
DIRECTV demands transparency
Trinidad and Tobago – DIRECTV has no objection to the proposed acquisition of Columbus International Inc by Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) as long as the process is transparent and the telecoms regulators in each country take into account the overall effect on the markets and consumers… more
Howai, CWU meet on CWC/Columbus deal
Trinidad and Tobago – Government has not yet taken a position on the agreement by Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) to acquire Columbus International, Joseph Remy, secretary general of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) said yesterday… more
Friday, 21 November 2014
‘Not In Market’s Interest’ For BTC Appeal To Succeed
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) main rival last night said it was “not in the market’s interest” for its appeal against a regulatory ruling, which found it guilty of anti-competitive behaviour, to succeed… more
Protect us (please) from government’s Data Protection Bill
Cayman Islands – “It is convoluted and complex legislation, even for lawyers,” declared James Austin-Smith, who is an attorney and head of the Cayman Islands Human Rights Commission… more
Competition Under Threat
Jamaica – THE EDITOR, Sir: I see that Digicel and Cable & Wireless continue to fight in the media, but what I would like to know is whether they will fight equally hard for consumers… more
Cable & Wireless says it appreciates intervention by regulators in Columbus merger
Regional – Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) today said it welcomed the intervention of the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ECTEL) in its proposed merger with Columbus Communications… more
Current Issues in the Telecommunications Sector in ECTEL Member States
Regional – The sixteenth Consultative Forum of representatives of the five National Telecommunications Regulatory Commissions (NTRCs) and the staff of the ECTEL Directorate was held in Saint Lucia on November 10 – 11, 2014… more
Digicel calls on TATT to withstand joint CWC/Columbus pressure to limit regulatory approvals process
Regional – Digicel today publicly called on the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) to hold firm and withstand the severe pressure being applied by UK based Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) and Columbus International Inc. (Columbus) to rapidly approve the proposed acquisition of Columbus by CWC… more
How will regional regulators respond to CWC’s acquisition of Columbus?
Regional – Can telecommunications regulators from across the Caribbean see beyond their national interests and present a unified regional response to a common challenge? The recent announcement by Cable and Wireless (CWC) of its proposed US$3 billion acquisition of Columbus International could prompt them to try… more
LIME announces the arrival of the iPhone 6 and 6 plus to the region
Regional – The iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus are here, thanks to LIME, the only authorised carrier in the English-speaking Caribbean… more
O’Brien has big calls to make
Regional – Denis O’Brien is well known in business and media circles for taking a rather muscular approach to his opponents and critics… more
Digicel Launches its Christmas Promotion
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Digicel fans are in for another treat this Christmas season… more
Saturday, 22 November 2014
$22 MILLION worth of cell phones
Jamaica – A man, who is accused of stealing $22,000,000 worth of cellular phones from the Kingston Wharves, was further remanded in custody when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court on Friday… more
Digicel Customers Can Opt Out Of Sms Notifications
Jamaica – THE EDITOR, Sir: I am writing in response to a letter that was published (‘Leave me the hell alone, Digicel!’) in The Gleaner on Friday, November 21, 2014 regarding text notifications from Digicel… more
Don’t Let C&W Fool You Again
Jamaica – THE EDITOR, Sir: Just when we thought that the telecoms sector in Jamaica couldn’t get any more interesting or surreal, now we have CIA whistleblower Edward Snowden getting in on the act… more
Young Entrepreneurs Display Technology Innovations
Jamaica – Young technology entrepreneurs participating in the Government’s Start-Up Jamaica (SUJ) initiative showcased their various innovations at a Demo Day held on Monday (November 17)… more
Digicel to TATT: Don’t rush to approve
Regional – Digicel yesterday called on the Telecommunications Authority of T&T (TATT) to hold firm and withstand pressure from UK based Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) and Columbus International Inc… more
LIME responds to licence breach warning
Regional – LIME’s parent Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) has responded to a warning from the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) that both CWC and Columbus Communications, better known as FLOW, could be in breach of their licenses if they engage in activities, which can unfairly prevent, restrict, or distort competition… more
Digicel Makes Christmas Better For Communities
Saint Lucia – During the festive season Digicel St Lucia will share and give even more value to its customers. Throughout the next month Digicel will bring smiles and cheer to families and communities with the hope of bringing everyone together to make this Christmas better… more
Sunday, 23 November 2014
Telecommunication : Interference and fraud, towards a bilateral solution…
Haiti – Jean Marie Guillaume, Director Genral of the National Council of Telecommunications (CONATEL), at the head of delegation recently visited the headquarters of the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (INDOTEL), in order to meet his counterpart Dominican Gedeon Santos, as part of a workshop on interference caused by mobile telephony and audiovisual services and telephone fraud… more
I welcome the Cable and Wireless acquisition of Flow
Jamaica – HAVING been a subscriber to Flow’s triple play service for many years, at the very moment I read that the Cable and Wireless (CWC) had bought Columbus Communications, known to us in Jamaica as Flow, I envisioned rates going down because of increased competition from the dominant player in the region, Digicel… more
Startuprobot Re-Engineers Company Registrations
Jamaica – At 37, Winston Wilkins, CEO and founder of StartUpRobot (SUR), the company which promises to take the pain out of company registrations, has turned a hobby in IT into a new company… more
CWC/Columbus: Deal good for prices, jobs, investment
Regional – Communications Columbus International have said that their proposed merger will increase competition with Digicel, enhance customer choice and boost long-term investment and employment across the Caribbean… more
CWC-Columbus Heads East For Talks Over ECTEL Concerns
Regional – Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) and Columbus International say they have already initiated discussions with regulators in four of six markets and will head next to St Lucia and Grenada to meet with authorities there on their plans to merge… more
Digicel accused of violating network policy
Regional – Telecommunications Company Digicel has been found to be in breach of the principle of Internet Neutrality as a result of its move to restrict Over the Top(OTT) Services, in particular Viper to residents across the Caribbean… more
ECTEL slams company’s ‘interception’
Regional – On Thursday, Digicel issued a news release in which it agreed with the position taken by the telecommunications regulator in the Eastern Caribbean (ECTEL) on the acquisition by Cable & Wireless Communications of Columbus International… more
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