A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 27 March to Sunday 2 April 2017.
Monday, 27 March 2017
Aliv Takes 100 Site Options As BTC ‘Plan A’
Bahamas – Aliv will “revert to Plan A” and execute 100 mobile network site options if it cannot reach agreement with the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) within a reasonable time period… more
Top Aliv Exec: BTC Has Nothing Worth Copying
Bahamas – Aliv’s top executive has thrown down a challenge to the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), saying he sees nothing in its product offerings worth imitating… more
Dispute over Digicel’s ‘illegal’ Suriname bypass…Telecoms Ministry asks GT&T to show it can deliver quality data services
Guyana – The Ministry of Telecommunications has invited the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) to clearly demonstrate that it has the network capacity to ensure that the people of Guyana have access to quality data services… more
Guyana’s telecoms sector to be fully liberalised before mid-year–Telecoms Minister
Guyana – Minister with responsibility for Telecommunications in Guyana, Catherine Hughes, promises that the sector will be fully liberalized by the end of May, complete with the accompanying regulations and the establishment of the Telecommunications Agency… more
Ministry raises question about GTT data capacity
Guyana – The Public Telecommunications Ministry yesterday said that GTT’s complaint against Digicel’s use of a telecoms link to Suriname is a complex matter which has raised the issue of whether the former has sufficient data capacity to meet local needs… more
BPO Sector Becoming the Number One Source of Employment in Western Jamaica
Jamaica – The Business Process Outsourcing Sector (BPO) is fast becoming the number one source of employment, next to tourism in western Jamaica… more
BPO sector boosts employment in the west
Jamaica – The business process outsourcing sector (BPO) is fast becoming the number one source of employment, next to tourism in western Jamaica… more
The Jamaica Library Service Embraces the Use of Technology in its Services
Jamaica – The library community has been evolving and remains quite relevant in a technologically-driven society through the array of services it offers to meet the demands of users… more
Caribbean leaders urged to embrace ICT
Regional– In keeping with the theme of ICT Week and Symposium Antigua and Barbuda; ICT – Driving 21st Century Intelligent Services, Melford Nicholas, minister of information, broadcasting, telecommunications and information technology stated, “ICT has disrupted the financial order… more
Global Experts Focus On Cybersecurity At LACNIC On The Move Guatemala
Regional– Guatemala and other countries of Latin America and the Caribbean must continue to develop a more proactive, all-inclusive response to cybercrime and cyber terrorism. That’s the opinion of an international expert panel at a recently concluded regional technology conference… more
Marketing Strategies Today: How to reach more eyeballs with Facebook
Regional – When looking at a Facebook Page Insight, the statistics such as Page Likes, engagement and post reach might draw your attention… more
Smarter Phones, Dumber People
Regional – There was a time when I carried around over 20 phone numbers in my head. Now, since the advent of the smartphone, I’m lucky if I can recall my own cell number… more
Ambition outstrips execution at local IT Expo
Trinidad and Tobago – The inaugural IT Expo held last Saturday morning at the Lok Jack Graduate Business School was a bit of a curiosity… more
Tuesday, 28 March 2017
Newcomer Aliv close to agreeing national roaming deal with BTC
Bahamas – Newcomer to the Bahamian wireless market Aliv has reportedly run into difficulties securing a national roaming agreement with incumbent and former monopoly holder the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), whilst deals concerning network and infrastructure sharing have also been delayed, Tribune Business writes, citing Aliv executive Damian Blackburn… more
Flow launches 4G LTE in Barbados
Barbados – Telecommunications provider Flow, a subsidiary of Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC), officially launched its 4G LTE network in Barbados… more
Dominican Republic targets 70% broadband penetration
Dominican Republic – The number of internet connections in the Dominican Republic soared by over 22 percent year on year to reach 6.1 million at the end of January, having grown 26 percent in 2016 as a whole, according to data published by telecommunications regulator Indotel… more
Computer centre to boost police ability to tackle cybercrime
Guyana – With the aim of boosting the Guyana Police Force (GPF)’s ability to fight cybercrime, its computer training centre was re-commissioned on Friday. The re-commissioning was facilitated by the Zara Cyber Security Centre at a cost of $20.5M… more
Cell Phone Jammers Restored At Tower Street Prison
Jamaica – The National Security Ministry is reporting that it has now restored and improved two cell phone jammers at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre… more
USF to provide WiFi downtown, Olympic Gardens
Jamaica – The Universal Service Fund (USF) continues its quest to provide 100 per cent Internet penetration across Jamaica with Wi-Fi hotspots to be provided at the St William Grant Park in downtown Kingston and in Olympic Gardens… more
Flow Mobile Top Up Made Easy with Scotiabank
Regional – Adding credit to your mobile phone has never been easier if you are a Flow and Scotiabank customer… more
Online Vigilance Is Best Way To Prevent Cybercrimes, Says Commissioner Queeley
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Commissioner of Police Mr. Ian M. Queeley is underscoring the need for internet users to be vigilant and protect themselves from becoming victims of Cybercrimes… more
Wednesday, 29 March 2017
ALIV Continues Expansion to Eleuthera
Bahamas – ALIV, The Bahamas’ newest mobile network, is pleased to announce the opening of two retail stores on the island of Eleuthera. On Monday, March 27th, 2017 an ALIV retail store opened in Spanish Wells and another in Governor’s Harbour. Official grand openings are scheduled for both locations on April 1… more
New VP lauds local BTC staff’s dedication to restore service post-Hurricane Matthew
Bahamas – The first female BTC Vice President for the Northern Bahamas shared the company’s progress since the devastation of Hurricane Matthew at the Rotary Club of Lucaya’s weekly meeting on Tuesday… more
ON THE LEFT: Technology can differentiate service
Barbados – WHAT DO MY customers want? This is the question that every executive asks and that the savviest executives are asking more frequently than ever… more
Digicel giving customers up to 3GB of data free
British Virgin Islands – Digicel announced today the launch of Quick Pick Plans, which gives customers up to 3GB of data, access to all their favourite social media applications plus unlimited talk to stay connected with the things they love… more
If you really want to know what’s happening with tech in Cuba, read beyond the headlines
Cuba – “Cuba slashes Internet costs” … “Cuba signs deal with Google for faster internet access” … “Will Cuba embrace the Internet revolution?” … more
GTT Partners with Prepay Nation for Enhanced Online Top-up
Guyana – GTT, Guyanas only full-service telecommunications company has launched simpler access to its online top-up portal for prepaid customers. The new platform is supported by Prepay Nation, a United States Company… more
Montague talks cyber security with regional security ministers
Jamaica – Minister of National Security, Robert Montague recently met with St Lucia’s Minister of National Security, Hermangild Francis and the executive of the Regional Security System as they discussed a number of issues concerning multilateral areas of cooperation in securing the cyber capacity of the region… more
Businessman jailed in mobile fraud scheme linked to the Caribbean
Regional – A US federal court has sentenced the owner and operator of a Florida-based telecommunications company to 75 months in prison in connection with a sophisticated global cellphone fraud scheme linked to the Caribbean… more
ECTEL roadshow heads to Dominica
Regional – The Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority’s (ECTEL’s) legal and regulatory team heads to Dominica this week. It’s the continuation of a series of roadshows that are being held in Member States, to further elaborate on the new suite of legislation that has been developed by ECTEL… more
ECTEL states introduce new Electronic Communications Bill
Regional – The Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) – the body which represents the interests and provides an overarching regulatory structure for the Eastern Caribbean states of Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St Vincent & the Grenadines – has launched a series of roadshows across the region to promote its new Electronic Communications (EC) Bill which was approved on 18 March 2017… more
ICT is everyone’s responsibility, says Antigua-Barbuda PM
Regional – Antigua, the island of 365 beaches, was the location of the ICT Week and Symposium and Prime Minister Gaston Browne, in delivering the feature address at the opening ceremony, stated that everyone needs to get involved in ICT… more
Marry Caribbean, The Most Important Online Resource On Romance In The Caribbean, Welcomes Acclaimed Journalist Melanie Reffes As Exclusive Journalist
Regional – Marry Caribbean (www.MarryCaribbean.com) the leading online resource for Destination Weddings & Honeymoons in the Caribbean, welcomes Melanie Reffes as the exclusive journalist for the Caribbean Romance Report… more
Saint Lucia Association of Retired Persons undertake ICT training
Saint Lucia – The members of the Saint Lucia Association of Retired person embarked on an ICT (Information and Communication Technology) training programme… more
Thursday, 30 March 2017
“BTC REVEALS TWO NEW LIMITLESS MOBILE PLANS” – Complete Mobile Suite Overhaul Expected in Days
Bahamas – BTC introduced two brand new mobile plans today. The plans, which provide “limitless” data are what the company’s customers asked for in a recent survey… more
Nearly $1.3m In Bank Account After Creation Of BTC Foundation
Bahamas – PRIME Minister Perry Christie yesterday moved to address lingering concerns over the two per cent shares in the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) Ltd that were placed into a foundation after negotiations more than three years ago… more
Cyber parenting
Barbados – A visiting religious leader is concerned that the Internet and social media have become “the first and second parents” of today’s children… more
Belize to Host First National Cybersecurity Symposium
Belize – In response to a growing incidence of cyber-threats, Belize will host its first national cyber security symposium from April 24 to 27… more
The B.T.L. Telephone Directory is Here!
Belize – The new telephone directory was released today… more
Digicel partners with ZTE to expand 4G LTE network in Caribbean and Latin America
Regional – Digicel announced today an agreement with ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a major international provider of telecommunications, enterprise and consumer technology solutions for the mobile internet, to expand its 4G LTE networks across its 26 markets in the Caribbean and Central America… more
ECTEL sets off on roadshow to promote new electronics bill
Regional – The legal and regulatory team of the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (Ectel) has launched a regional roadshow to promote the Electronic Communications (EC) Bill approved by its Council of Ministers last October… more
Friday, 31 March 2017
Aliv’s bond offering ‘100% oversubscribed’
Bahamas – The Bahamas’ new mobile operator yesterday said it had received “a resounding vote of confidence” from local investors, after its $30 million bond offering was “100 per cent oversubscribed”… more
Aliv increases bond issuance to $60M as investors flock to new mobile carrier
Bahamas – Be Aliv Ltd. has doubled its bond offering to $60 million, placing the company in a “very comfortable” position for funding, its Chief Financial Officer Barry Williams revealed yesterday… more
Belize To Host First National Cybersecurity Symposium
Belize – In response to a growing incidence of cyber-threats, Belize will host its first national cyber security symposium from April 24 to 27… more
American visa scam on the internet
Haiti – In a joint effort between the National Police of Haiti (PNH) and the U.S. Embassy, Embassy staff worked with Facebook to remove three profiles that were impersonating the U.S. Embassy… more
Nugent’s cybercrime case heads to court today
Jamaica – The cybercrime case involving Tambourine Army activist Latoya Nugent, is to get under way today in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court… more
Flow Parent Liberty Sets Cash Flow Target For Regional Businesses
Regional – Large cable operator Liberty Global, the owner of FLOW, wants its regional businesses to generate more cash, and has set them a target of US$1.5 billion… more
Future-proofing our Internet: Caribbean ISPs switching to next-generation protocol
Regional – Forward-thinking network operators in Latin America and the Caribbean are using the Internet’s next-generation protocol, called IPv6, to gain a business edge over their competitors… more
PwC And Bitt Partner Up To Improve Bitcoin and Blockchain Presence In The Caribbean
Regional – The future of bitcoin is looking bright in Barbados right now. Bitt, a local fintech company, signed a memorandum of understanding with PwC… more
Saturday, 1 April 2017
GOB never exercised its full power to order Ashcroft to interconnect with Intelco
Belize – When the Government of Belize, under the Said Musa administration, opened the telecommunications market 15 years ago to allow competition with the formerly state-owned Belize Telecommunications Limited (now Belize Telemedia Limited — BTL), there was a protracted dispute between that company, then controlled by British billionaire Michael Ashcroft, and the Musa administration… more
E-Govt. Agency, Nat’l Data Management Authority merged
Guyana – As part of its overall mandate to transform Guyana into a nation driven by Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Government has managed to merge the e-Government Agency and the National Data Management Authority (NDMA)… more
Microsoft partnership to revolutionise underwater quality testing
Regional – A recent partnership by Microsoft with the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA), Fujitsu and Digicel is expected to revolutionise local underwater quality testing via the latest, international technology to detect the levels of pollution in the sea… more
Sunday, 2 April 2017
Facebook Contest for Dominicans Abroad, from LlamaRepublicaDominicana.com
Dominican Republic – Easter celebration starts earlier for Dominican expats. On April 4, LlamaRepublicaDominicana.com invites its customers to share what they love the most about Easter on LlamaRepublicaDominicana’s Facebook page… more
FLOW’s Stagnant Channels
Jamaica – Last January, I wrote a column with the headline ‘FLOW + LIME = minus zero’. One of the most humorous responses was this: “Your LIME/FLOW equation must be the most accurate since Einstein’s famous solution!” … more
Tech + Health | Telemedicine Prospects – Pt 2
Jamaica – The last time, I promised to speak to technology that could transform Jamaica into a country with the most comprehensive health-information database bringing us right where we need to be to offer telemedicine… more
Techno-Tools For Teachers
Jamaica – The paradigms of teaching have changed over the years. in this age of information superhighway, the black and white boards are being complemented by touch screen ‘smart’ devices… more
PwC works with Bitt to propel the Caribbean’s digital evolution
Regional – The Barbados-based FinTech company, Bitt Inc. and the professional services firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) are pleased to announce that they have executed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) whereby the two entities, while remaining independent, will work together to deepen the use of blockchain technology across the Caribbean… more
Image credits: Yukio Matsuoka (flickr); Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikipedia
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