A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 15 May to Sunday 21 May 2017.
Monday, 15 May 2017
Anguilla Unveils New Anguilla App With Special Deals To Celebrate Turning 50
Anguilla – Anguilla is celebrating turning 50 in a big way by introducing a dynamic new app, Anguilla App, that offers amazing deals across the island from restaurants to lodging to shopping to on-island attractions… more
FLOW wants to be true full service provider in Dominica GM says
Dominica – General Manager of FLOW Dominica, Jeffrey Baptiste, has said that the company is desirous of being the only true legitimate full-service provider in Dominica… more
Entrepreneurs In Haiti Will Soon Have Broader Access To Technical Skills Training, Because Of An Initiative To Promote Digital Jobs In The Country
Haiti – The initiative is led by LACNIC, the Internet Registry for Latin America and the Caribbean. Since 2013, LACNIC has strengthened the technical skills of more than 300 Haitian ICT students and professionals, through a project called Ayitic. This year, LACNIC has expanded the project… more
Commentary: Cyber security: Can Caribbean governments defend their borders alone?
Regional – The dangers of cyber threats in the Caribbean continue to evolve and spike at a rate never seen before… more
Tuesday, 16 May 2017
URCA and its licensees host 120 students during its third annual ‘Girls in ICT Day’ event
Bahamas – “Don’t be afraid of challenges and new opportunities.” … more
Risky business
Barbados – Barbadian companies are at risk of falling prey to large-scale cyber attacks similar to the one that interrupted computer systems across the globe last week, unless they take operational risk more seriously, a risk analyst has warned… more
CITO: ”Wannacry” Ransomware Not In Belize
Belize – Today the Central Information Technology Office released a press release warning the public about a new ransomeware called Wannacry… more
Global cyberattack puts Cayman businesses on alert
Cayman Islands – Cayman Islands IT departments worked overtime during the holiday weekend as businesses scrambled to protect their data against a global ransomware attack that affected an estimated 200,000 victims in more than 150 countries… more
DIGICEL Appoints Nikima Royer as CEO for Its Dominica Operation
Dominica – Digicel today announced Nikima Royer Jno Baptiste as the first female and Dominican-national to ever be appointed in the role of Chief Executive Officer for its Dominican operations. Nikima’s main focus will be leading the team over of over 60 employees in delivering the best customer experience and a superfast network in the country… more
Social media #Dominica campaign on today
Dominica – A social media campaign which plans to swamp social with #Dominica to get it to be a trending topic on social media is on today… more
Telecoms pensioners owed GYD$600 million- union
Guyana – The Guyana Postal and Telecommunications Workers Union (GPTWU) has written to President David Granger seeking his intervention in the payment of GYD$600 million in outstanding gratuities to retirees of the country’s oldest telecommunications company… more
Union accuses GTT of preferring contract workers – Court orders company to engage in discussions relating to 120 workers’ positions
Guyana – The Guyana Postal and Telecommunications Workers’ Union (GPTWU) has told this publication that the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) hired seventeen contract workers over the period of the last two months… more
More cyber-attacks coming, Minister Wheatley warns
Jamaica – THE technology ministry has warned Jamaicans to secure their computer systems as attacks similar to that of ransomware WannaCry which crippled a raft of health, financial and other systems on the weekend, “will escalate in coming weeks”… more
CANTO and Huawei Co-host Stakeholder Invitational in Panama
Regional – CANTO and Huawei Technologies Panama co-hosted the CANTO Stakeholder Invitational in Panama on May 12th, 2017 at the Hard Rock Hotel Panama Megalopolis. The event was held on the heels of the 134th Board of Directors’ meeting… more
Caribbean courts need to be better prepared to judge cybercrimes, says Belize chief justice
Regional – Institutions worldwide are struggling to keep pace with the rapid development of computer-based technology. It is especially hard for courts, typically steeped in tradition and ponderously slow to change, to keep track of the sophisticated, rapidly evolving operations of modern cyber crime… more
CSEC Examinations Transitioning to E-Testing
Regional – In the last decade or two we have seen several areas transition to online businesses ranging from reading to customer service to research and governance… more
British Cyber Security company to operate from Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia – A leading international cyber-security company is to open a hub in the Caribbean and has identified the island of St Lucia as its preferred location… more
CTU Supports Internet Governance in St. Vincent
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) was the featured presenter at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Civil Society Presentation Event (re Internet Governance) at Frenches House in Kingstown on Tuesday 9th May 2017. This event was convened by Vincentian civil society groups to sensitise the public in St. Vincent on the topic of Internet governance (IG) and build interest and capacity for Vincentians to contribute to IG work regionally and internationally… more
Wednesday, 17 May 2017
2,000 BTC customers are watching Flow to Go
Bahamas – Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) new mobile television app, Flow to Go has reached 20,000 subscribers! … more
Central Bank Makes Good On E-Payment Regulation Promise
Bahamas – The Central Bank yesterday made good on its pledge to introduce electronic payments regulation by mid-year 2017, unveiling a short one-month consultation on the proposed supervisory framework… more
Phone, parking fines
Barbados – HANG UP AND DRIVE – or pay a heavy price… more
E-gov makes a small advance with police clearance
Cayman Islands – The government has launched a new online application process for police clearance certificates which joins a slowly emerging suite of public services being provided online… more
Email phishing scam targets immigration clients
Cayman Islands – The Cayman Islands government is warning the public about a phishing scam that involves an email purportedly sent by the Department of Immigration… more
NTRC donates tech equipment to public libraries
Dominica – The National Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (NTRC), has donated technological equipment to the Roseau Public Library and other public libraries across Dominica in an effort to support automation and internet access improvement within the institutions… more
Message on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
Guyana – World Telecommunication Day has been celebrated annually on 17 May since 1969, the year of the founding of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU)… more
ICAEC to arm businesses to fight against cyber crime
Regional – The Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Eastern Caribbean (ICAEC) will hold a workshop to introduce participants to the field of digital forensics, and other tools that could be employed in investigating and combating cyber-crimes… more
The Samsung Galaxy S8 Next Generation Smartphone Now Available to Flow Customers Across the Caribbean
Regional – A new galaxy of smartphones has just opened up for Flow customers as the Samsung S8 hits Flow retail stores around the region… more
Cybersecurity expert: WannaCry reaches T&T
Trinidad and Tobago – One of T&T’s top Internet experts has expressed concern that there may not be enough formal tracking of cybersecurity exploits in T&T, in the wake of last week’s WannaCry ransomware attack, which began on May 12 and quickly went global… more
Thursday, 18 May 2017
Q&A: Is it time for a complete ban on cellphones in Antigua school classrooms?
Antigua and Barbuda – The case of a sex video being shared online by an Antigua pupil has again put the focus on the responsibilities facing schools. Should they harness the benefits of mobile technology for teaching, or ban them completely to protect our young people? … more
Aruban investors shut out of telecoms market
Aruba – While stating that he expects more investments from the players that are already in the local telecoms market, minister responsible for telecommunications Mark Vanterpool yesterday made it clearer that Government is blocking other companies from entering the market… more
Ministers say roaming charges in Bahamas are the highest
Bahamas – Communication Minister Maxie Cuffie tells reporters that cellular phone roaming rates in the Bahamas are the highest when compared to other Caribbean nations… more
E-books for high schools in Belize
Belize – The Ministry of Education is this month celebrating Education Showcase with a number of activities aimed at highlighting education in Belize. As part of the observance, Minister of Education, Hon. Patrick Faber has invited his counterpart minister from Antigua and Barbuda, Michael Brown to come to Belize… more
Harnessing Cyberspace For Information
Belize – As technology continues to develop, we spend more and more of our time online… more
Minister’s guest: When is the next boat to USVI?
British Virgin Islands – Minister responsible for telecommunications Mark Vanterpool yesterday made reference to internet speeds in other Caribbean countries while he detailed an embarrassing situation in which slow internet speed almost resulted in his guest leaving the territory… more
Tech usage a potential ‘time bomb’ for communication
Cayman Islands – Concerns about tech usage and the effect it may have on the development of communication habits for young children are taking center stage this month in Better Hearing and Speech Month… more
Cable & Wireless expands Caribbean pay-TV operation with Marpin 2K4 buyout
Dominica – Cable & Wireless (CWC) has acquired the cableco Marpin 2K4 in Dominica, which enables the company to launch pay-TV operation Flow across the island… more
Altice sales up 2% to EUR 183 mln in Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic – Altice announced first-quarter revenues of EUR 183 million for its Orange Dominicana brand in the Dominican Republic, up 2.0 percent year on year on a constant currency basis and 2.7 percent on a reported basis… more
Ore. Telecom Can’t Escape Haiti International Call Rate Row
Haiti – An Oregon telecommunications company must face claims it improperly bypassed a Haitian telecom’s switching system to dupe the Haitian telecom into charging it lower domestic instead of higher international call rates, an Oregon federal judge has ruled for the third time… more
CAC urges J’cans to take precautions amidst ‘Wanna Cry’ cyberattack
Jamaica – The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is urging Jamaicans to be cautious when online as computers worldwide are currently exposed to a dangerous ransomware called ‘Wanna Cry’… more
FLOW Grouse Never-Ending
Jamaica – THE EDITOR, Sir: I refer to an ongoing matter of erroneous charges by FLOW/LIME for services on a line (LIME – 943-0503) out of service since February 2016 and eventually replaced with FLOW (631-8726) for nearly a year until the original number was restored (fully) on April 5, 2017… more
Flow Jamaica Hikes Cable Rates Amid Losses
Jamaica – Cable & Wireless Jamaica (C&WJ), which trades as Flow Jamaica, recorded a $533 million net loss for its first quarter, which reversed the profit earned a year earlier… more
Nugent Walks Free – High Threshold In Cyber Crimes Act Forces DPP To Drop Charges
Jamaica – The first attempt by Jamaican authorities to prosecute a citizen under a controversial amendment to the Cyber Crimes Act, which criminalises the use of a computer for malicious communication, collapsed yesterday before a trial date was set, triggering an ominous warning from the nation’s top prosecutor… more
ECTEL conducting consumer survey
Regional – The Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) is conducting a survey of consumers in Member States. The survey forms part of an overall initiative that will lead to the development of a consumer education and awareness programme… more
$120mn for IT entrepreneurs
Trinidad and Tobago – Government is pumping in US$18 million ($120 million) to boost entrepreneurship in T&T, for businesses that use information technology to operate their businesses… more
Cost of cyber attacks
Trinidad and Tobago – According to news reports, hackers exploiting malicious software stolen from the US National Security Agency executed damaging cyberattacks that by late last Friday, had spread to more than 74 countries eventually affecting computer in 150 countries… more
Imbert shocked at roaming rate: Caricom to hold talks
Trinidad and Tobago – Finance Minister Colm Imbert said yesterday he was “shocked” at the roaming charges in the Bahamas, which is ten times more than other Caricom countries… more
Friday, 19 May 2017
Cable Chief ‘Bullish’ Despite $17m Losses
Bahamas – Cable Bahamas’ top executive yesterday said the company remains “very bullish” on its growth and future earnings prospects, despite suffering a near-$17 million net loss for the 2017 first quarter… more
CYBERBULLYING WARNING
Barbados – THE Government Minister who holds responsibility for the nation’s children is urging young people to stay away from the dangerous act of cyberbullying… more
EDITORIAL – ICT TRAINING NEEDED
Barbados – In keeping with our social policies, access to education remains high on the nation’s agenda… more
BATV/YELLO – partners for progress
Jamaica – On the heels of unveiling a major company rebranding earlier this year, Yello Media Jamaica last week announced a significant partnership agreement with Business Access TV (BATV) as the exclusive dealer for BATV’s suite of products… more
Cybercrime Charges Against Jamaica’s Tambourine Army Founder Dropped
Jamaica – Under Jamaica’s new cybercrime laws, activist La Toya Nugent was arrested in March 2017 for publicly naming alleged perpetrators of sexual violence via social media… more
Jamaica readies for new area code and 10-digit dialling
Jamaica – Jamaica could be a bit closer to ascertaining the new area code to facilitate 10-digit dialling for local calls… more
Yello expands to three new markets
Jamaica – Local business directory search engine Yello Media Group has expanded its services to The Bahamas, Costa Rica and Guernsey… more
Analyst Says Caribbean Companies At Risk for Ransomware Attacks
Regional – Caribbean companies are at risk of falling prey to large-scale cyber-attacks similar to the one that interrupted computer systems across the globe last week, unless they take operational risk more seriously, a risk analyst has warned… more
IT in education
Saint Lucia – The Ministry of Education will be embarking on several ICT-related initiatives… more
Trinidad safe against cyber attacks
Trinidad and Tobago – AS WELL over 100 countries continue to grapple from last Friday’s devastating cyber attack, administrators and managers of the Government Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have rushed to secure potentially vulnerable IT systems in Government’s infrastructure network GovNeTT, this according to a media release issued by the Ministry of Public Utilities and Communications… more
Saturday, 20 May 2017
A feeling of being bullied
Barbados – I’ve been with the same cell phone provider for a long time, probably 12 years or more… more
Competition drives Digicel to strengthen Dominica management
Dominica – Digicel has announced several appointments for its Dominican operations, following the recent moves in the island of its main competitor in the Caribbean, Cable & Wireless… more
Men steal 19 phones from Digicel store
Jamaica – Two young men who admitted to breaking into a Digicel store and stealing 19 cellphones will have to wait until June 15 to have their fates decided in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court… more
Barbados Government Minister Backs Airbnb Hosts
Regional – Businessman and Housing Minister Denis Kellman is warning his own Government not to ignore the importance of the increasingly lucrative online marketplace, Airbnb, to the Barbados economy… more
CARICOM tech ministers give green-light to single ICT space Integrated Work Plan
Regional – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ministers with responsibility for Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have approved the Integrated Work Plan for the Community’s Single ICT Space.The approval was made on Friday, during discussions at the 68th Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on ICT during a virtual meeting anchored at the CARICOM Secretariat here… more
TATT: Protect client info
Trinidad and Tobago – DAYS after the furore over a $59,000 phone bill incurred by Tourism Minister Shamfa Cudjoe reportedly due to roaming charges, the Telecommunications Authority of TT (TATT) in a statement yesterday urged authorised providers of broadcast and telecommunications services to guard their clients privacy… more
Sunday, 21 May 2017
Carolyn Cooper | FLOW Have Nerve A Raise Price
Jamaica – It look like seh Garfield Sinclair lik im head. Im a di man in charge a FLOW Jamaica… more
Image credits: Pexels; Caribbean Trakker; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikipedia
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