A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 7 November to Sunday 13 November 2016.
Monday, 7 November 2016
Digital money ‘no problem’
Barbados – BARBADIANS MIGHT BE willing to use digital currencies once they can overcome their “limited knowledge” about this form of payment… more
Mobile computer lab launched at STETHS
Jamaica – Equipped with just three fixed computer laboratories to serve a student population of more than 1,800, St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) has never been able to meet the ‘hands-on’ information technology needs of everyone… more
CWC reports second quarter growth
Regional – Second quarter financial results for Cable & Wireless Communications Limited (CWC) show subscriber growth in its video, internet and telephony product categories across the Caribbean and Latin America… more
Tuesday, 8 November 2016
BTC revenue decrease impacts CWC’s mobile revenue
Bahamas – A telecommunications giant has pinned its drop in mobile revenue to The Bahamas. Cable & Wireless Communications Limited (CWC), the part owner of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), said that its mobile revenue was two percent lower in the second quarter of 2016/2017, as compared to the same quarter in 2015/16 on a rebased basis, due primarily to a revenue decrease in The Bahamas… more
Digital recording equipment for magistrates’ courts
Barbados – Chief Justice Sir Marston Gibson received a donation of digital recording equipment from Sirah Abraham, Criminal Justice Adviser from the Embassy of the United States and the British High Commission… more
Hackathon 2016…Winning team believes Software development can be a thriving industry
Guyana – Version75 Solutions (V75), the team that recently won the first Hackathon held in Guyana, strongly believes that software development can become a viable and thriving industry in this country… more
Cybercrime a Major Global Threat – Minister Chuck
Jamaica – Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, says cybercrime is a major global threat that represents a clear and present danger to democracies and the rule of law everywhere… more
Wednesday, 9 November 2016
URCA issues questionnaire on resale fixed broadband demand
Bahamas – The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) issued a questionnaire to industry stakeholders in an attempt to assess the demand for resale fixed broadband services or any other wholesale broadband services and to see if there is a need to potentially amend the current service offers by operators with significant market power (SMP) in The Bahamas… more
Four new tech leaders head for Tech Beach Retreat
Jamaica – Tech Beach Retreat will offer a global ecosystem of technology entrepreneurs, investors, innovators and influencers, creating a gateway for commerce through the convergence of three potential pillars of growth for Jamaica and the Caribbean: Entrepreneurship + Technology + Innovation… more
Lasco Financial exits mobile phone business
Jamaica – The company, which entered the mobile business last September, said it has seen a decline in other income by $6 million for its second quarter ending September from discounting inventory sales to exit the phone distribution business… more
ECTEL moving ahead with Net Neutrality policy
Regional – The Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority-ECTEL, is moving ahead with plans for new legislations which will guarantee the citizens of its Member States the unhindered access to the products and services on the Internet… more
Five signs you might need social media help
Regional – Social media, contrary to popular belief, is actually work. It takes reflection to clarify one’s vision, create good content, repurpose it and distribute it across your chosen platforms… more
UTC digital media workshop
Trinidad and Tobago – LOCAL newspapers and television stations are being advised to “experiment with revenue streams” as a way to address the decline in advertising income that’s been linked to the rise of digital media… more
Thursday, 10 November 2016
ICTA calls for local internet exchange
Cayman Islands – As the Information & Communications Technology Authority (ICTA) deals with yet another internet outage that has been effecting some users this week, officials are again calling for local telecoms providers (ISPs) to establish a local internet exchange point (IXP)… more
ICTA explains recent service interruption
Cayman Islands – Equipment failure in Florida is the cause of the most recent internet service interruption experienced on island. On Monday, 7 November, the Information and Communications Technology Authority (ICTA) was notified by a licensee of an “internet service interruption” to all its customers due to its wholesale internet provider experiencing failure on equipment located in Boca Raton, Florida… more
Regulator calls for local Internet exchange
Cayman Islands – Cayman’s telecom regulator and Internet service providers are in talks to set up local Internet Exchange Points in the islands to reduce the impact of outages on the undersea cables that connect Cayman to the rest of the digital world… more
Jamaicans Urged to Protect CAPs
Jamaica – Jamaicans are being urged to protect community access points (CAPs) islandwide and create programmes that will enable them to be sustainable… more
New equipment at AG’s office will boost efficiency — Chuck
Jamaica – Justice Minister Delroy Chuck said the technologically advanced equipment donated to the Attorney General’s Chambers will significantly boost the efficiency of the Government’s various legal activities… more
PBCJ gets digital archival equipment
Jamaica –The Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBCJ) has acquired an optical digital archival system, which will enable the agency to convert source material of analogue images, sounds and video recordings to digital… more
C&W Business launches HCS on demand
Regional – C&W Business, part of C&W Communications (C&W), one of the largest full service communications and entertainment providers in the Caribbean and Latin America region, now owned by Liberty Global (LiLAC Group), is excited to announce the launch of Hosted Collaboration Solution (HCS) on Demand… more
C&W Networks Wins Fourth Consecutive Best Caribbean Wholesale Carrier Award
Regional – C&W Networks, a division of C&W Communications (C&W), one of the largest full service communications and entertainment providers in the Caribbean and Latin America region, now part of Liberty Global (LiLAC Group), again won the Best Caribbean Wholesale Carrier award on November 8 at the 12th Global Carrier Awards in Paris… more
ECTEL Takes Down Barriers To Internet Access
Regional – THE Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority-(ECTEL), is moving ahead with plans for new legislation which will guarantee the citizens of its Member States the unhindered access to the products and services on the internet… more
blink | bmobile delivers on strongest, most resilient network
Trinidad and Tobago – “Our customers can be confident that when they purchase any type of service from blink | bmobile, they are getting the strongest, most resilient network in Trinidad and Tobago… more
Friday, 11 November 2016
Liberty Workers in Antigua & Barbuda denounce outsourcing and mergers
Antigua and Barbuda – Liberty Global workers in Antigua & Barbuda are among those speaking out against that company’s decision to outsource and merge operations… more
Mobile Provider NewCo Provides 30 New Jobs For Grand Bahama
Bahamas – NEWCO opened its new administrative office and call centre in Freeport on Friday, providing 30 new jobs for Bahamians in Grand Bahama… more
PM Opens Office For New Cellular Mobile Services Operator
Bahamas – PRIME Minister Perry Christie hailed the opening of an office for the country’s second cellular mobile services operator on Friday as putting “a definitive stamp” on the now liberalised communications sector… more
The Bahamas Launches New Online Notary Application System
Bahamas – Just last week, I announced that now, Marriage Officers and Justices of the Peace are listed online. Marriage Officers can initiate and complete marriage licenses through the Civil Registry Information System on the Registrar General Department’s website… more
Social networks abuzz as deputy offers colleague a ‘whipping’
Dominican Republic – Dominican Republic’s social networks went abuzz Friday to support National District deputy Faride Raful, after Noe Camacho, of the ruling party (PLD), threatened to “whip” her with his belt… more
Cable & Wireless Jamaica Cuts Losses
Jamaica – Cable & Wireless Jamaica (C&WJ), which trades as FLOW Jamaica, recorded big losses for its second quarter, but it’s a big improvement when compared with its performance a year ago… more
FLOW opens full service centre at Norman Manley International
Jamaica – FLOW has opened a new kiosk at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston, saying the investment is a significant milestone in its ongoing effort to revamp the experience of its customers… more
ReadyTV Almost Ready To Roll
Jamaica – Cable company Digital Interactive Services Limited, which will trade as ReadyTV, says it has already spent US$2 million to install a tower in St Andrew and expects to roll out its television service within months… more
OUR Gets Second Term As Head Of Regional Regulatory Body
Regional – The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) was on October 27 returned as the chair of the Organization of Caribbean Utility Regulators (OOCUR), the association of regional regulatory organisations… more
Unhindered Internet access coming to ECTEL countries
Regional – Antigua & Barbuda may be left out of the move toward unhindered access to the products and services on the Internet, because it is not a member of the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL)… more
Consumer Legislation Coming
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Consumer protection legislation is coming soon, and in order to facilitate the piece of legislation, the Ministry with responsibility for internal trade, etc., held three days of consultation with the general public to discuss and recommend changes to the proposed Bill… more
Saturday, 12 November 2016
‘NewCo comes ‘Aliv’
Bahamas – The country’s second mobile services provider, NewCo, yesterday unveiled the brand under which it will operate — Aliv — ushering in a new era of mobile competition in The Bahamas… more
‘Barbados must prepare for automated workforce’
Barbados – Minister of Labour Dr Esther Byer-Suckoo is warning that some careers will soon become obsolete and computers and other forms of technology will replace tens of millions of jobs performed by people, and Barbados must be ready when this happens… more
GTT makes case for landline rate hike
Guyana – After appealing a recent rejection of its application for a rate hike for certain services, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) is pleading with the regulatory body, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), to expedite the process, since the situation is only getting worse… more
Sunday, 13 November 2016
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Image credits: GotCredit (flickr); Bahamas News; Facebook; Facebook;
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