A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 24 July 2017 to Sunday 30 July 2017.
Monday, 24 July 2017
BTC to launch Snapchat-style app
Bahamas – Bahamas operator BTC has announced plans to launch its own Snapchat-style app called BTC Starmaker… more
Minnis Administration fulfills promise on Wi-Fi Zones
Bahamas – The Free Wi-Fi Zones will allow residents of those areas – particularly school-aged children — access to the worldwide web. Controls have been implemented to block certain content… more
Use Poor Cyber Rating To Become ‘Top Of Food Chain’
Bahamas – The Bahamas should use its “near bottom of the pile” cyber security ranking as motivation to become a “top of the food chain” hub for the global information and communications technology (ICT) industry… more
Huawei and BTL launch subsea cable system
Belize – Belize Telemedia Ltd. (BTL) and Huawei Marine announced the launch of BTL’s new trategic Evolution Underwater Link (SEUL)… more
Huawei Marine and BTL launch 32Tbps subsea cable system
Belize – Huawei Marine and Belize Telemedia Ltd (BTL) have met their two-month installation deadline on time and on budget, announcing the launch of BTL’s Strategic Evolution Underwater Link (SEUL)… more
Second Half of B.T.L. Arbitration Headed to C.C.J. in October
Belize – One year ago, the Government of Belize began making payments to Dunkeld International, the B.T.L. Employees’ Trust and British Caribbean Bank Limited for the settlement of costs for the double acquisition of Belize Telemedia Limited in 2009 and 2011… more
Watch out for ransomware, high tech expert warns
Dominican Republic – High tech engineer Leonardo Luzon, on Monday warned that ransomware “is an malicious program that totally blocks our equipment and asks for money to restore their control… more
BUSINESS BYTE: Digicel calls for revenue share between OTT operators, Governments and Telecoms providers
Regional – As regional policy makers in the CALA region grapple with how to deal with the disruptive nature of the on-line digital services on tax revenues, Digicel’s Chairman, Denis O’Brien, impressed upon regulators the critical importance of creating a level playing field for all players in the digital world – including OTT operators, Governments and telecoms providers… more
Digicel: Need for a level playing field*
Regional – Digicel chairman Denis O’Brien has stressed the need for regulators to create a level playing field for all players in the digital world, including over-the-top (OTT) operators, governments and telecoms providers… more
PRESS RELEASE: St. Lucian tech start-up wins CTEP Regional Finals
Saint Lucia – Dev758 Solutions, the tech start-up behind LEAP Marketplace, emerged as one of two Idea Stage winners of CTEP Regional Competition Finals in June 2017… more
Minister recognises need to further enhance communication services
Sint Maarten – St. Maarten was represented at the 33rd annual Conference and Trade Exhibition of CANTO, which was held from July 16 to 19, in the Dominican Republic… more
TelEm maintenance works in Madame Estate Tuesday
Sint Maarten – TelEm Group technicians will be carrying out “important maintenance works” to a company cabinet in the Madame Estate area tomorrow, Tuesday and as a result, voice and data services to business and residential properties will be interrupted throughout the day… more
Tuesday, 25 July 2017
Govt Fulfills Promise on Wi-Fi Zones
Bahamas – The Government of The Bahamas has begun piloting free Wi-Fi zones at certain parks in the Fox Hill, Gambier Village and Bain and Grants Town communities… more
Cable & Wireless (West Indies) seeking outstanding common shares in C&W Barbados
Barbados – Cable & Wireless (Barbados) Limited (“Cable & Wireless Barbados”) announces today that it has received a proposal from Cable and Wireless (West Indies) Limited (“CWWI”) to acquire all issues and outstanding shareas of Cable & Wireless Barbados that it does not already own by way of an amalgamation… more
Second payment made for B.T.L., but will Belize get some money back?
Belize – Prime Minister Dean Barrow returned to Belize from personal leave in the United States around lunchtime today. Reporters met him at the Philip Goldson International Airport for an extensive briefing on several national issues.. more
Claro trialling LTE-A Pro service in Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic – Claro (America Movil) has begun trialling an LTE-Advanced Pro (LTE-A Pro) service in the Dominican Republic, reports local news source Al Momento, citing the company’s communications director Gerty Valerio… more
Indotel director in Haiti to discuss radio jamming
Dominican Republic – The Dominican Telecommunications Institute’s management board president José Del Castillo Saviñón is meeting today with members of Haiti’s telecommunications regulatory body, Conatel, to discuss matters of shared interest affecting the telecoms sector in both countries… more
STATIN Using Technology to Improve Data Gathering and Dissemination
Jamaica – The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) has been utilising technology to improve data collection and dissemination of information… more
CXC launches mobile app in Barbados today
Regional – THE Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) will launch its first mobile app–CXC Connect–today in Barbados… more
O’Brien calls for level playing field in digital market
Regional – As regional policy makers in the CALA region grapple with how to deal with the disruptive nature of the online digital services on tax revenues, Digicel’s Chairman, Denis O’Brien, impressed upon regulators the critical importance of creating a level playing field for all players in the digital world – including OTT operators, Governments and telecoms providers… more
Social media simplifying surveillance
Regional – The growing popularity of social media has led to many innovative online tools, some of which have proven quite useful to everyday users, but in the wrong hands could be potentially harmful to unsuspecting victims… more
PRESS RELEASE: 100% free bonus credit for Flow customers
Saint Lucia – Saint Lucia’s leading telecommunications service provider, Flow, continues with its Endless Everything Summer campaign, awarding customers more savings with their special offer of a Double Bubble today Tuesday July 25th 2017… more
Wednesday, 26 July 2017
BTC Gets Ready To Release New App
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) is set to launch another innovation as it continues to revolutionize its overall customer experience… more
$77m bid for full control of C&W
Barbados – CABLE AND WIRELESS (West Indies) Limited (CWWI) has launched a near $77 million bid for full control of its Barbados business… more
Cable & Wireless quitting Barbados Stock Exchange
Barbados – Telecommunications company Cable & Wireless West Indies (CWWI) is quitting the insufficiently active Barbados Stock Exchange (BSE), following a proposal for the takeover of the remaining shares of Cable & Wireless (Barbados) Limited… more
GTT says key cable sabotaged three times in nine days
Guyana – GTT yesterday said that vital telecommunication infrastructure was on July 22, sabotaged for the third time in nine days, affecting over 20,000 customers and it announced a reward of $1m for information leading to the arrest of those responsible… more
“Rogue elements” cause thousands to go without phone, internet services; govt says no licensing of “warped” competitors
Guyana – Government and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) on Tuesday said rogue elements have been sabotaging that telecoms provider’s fibre optic cable , resulting in at least 200,000 subscribers having to go without cell, land and internet services… more
Flow to live stream tonight’s Gold Cup final
Jamaica – Flow Sports will be live streaming tonight’s CONCACAF Gold Cup Final between Jamaica and the USA, which kicks off at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California at 8:30 pm… more
Photo: Flow celebrates
Jamaica – FLOW TV and Media Services team members (from left): Martin Welcom, media engineer; Donna Bartley, marketing executive; Patrick Mitchell, media systems manager; Michelle Clunie-James, marketing manager; Michael Look-Tong, VP media and content operations; Andrea Whittick, advertising sales manager… more
PRESS RELEASE: Sandals boss on how new technology has helped sales ‘rocket’
Jamaica – Sandals Resorts’ new in-house tour operation helped the business to double its UK sales in June, compared with the same month last year… more
RadioShack coming to Mandeville
Jamaica – Vice-President and Managing Director of Unicomer Caribbean Mario Guerrero has confirmed plans for the establishment of electronic retailer RadioShack at the Bargain Centre Mall in Mandeville, Manchester… more
FLOW TC Country Manager makes history at Caribbean’s leading ICT Conference
Regional – Last Wednesday saw a vibrant and far reaching conversation on Women in ICT, this as the 33rd Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition continued at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana Dominican Republic… more
PRESS RELEASE: ECTEL Managing Director retires
Regional – Outgoing Managing Director of the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) Embert Charles, is projecting a robust and sustainable framework for consumer protection and empowerment for the multi-state telecommunications regulator… more
Thursday, 27 July 2017
Bid Made for Full Control of Cable & Wireless Barbados
Barbados – Cable and Wireless (West Indies) Limited (CWWI) has launched a bid for full control of its Barbados business… more
Changes coming to Telecoms Act
Barbados – WITH THE INTRODUCTION of a third player in the local telecommunications space, Government has given advance notice that changes are coming to the Telecommunications Act… more
Finding common ground on cellular phones in schools
Barbados – A confession of sorts yesterday from Minister of Education Ronald Jones, who is known for his off-the-cuff statements which humour or provoke depending on the listener, was a timely reminder of his ministry’s change of heart on the use of cellular phones and other technology in schools… more
Flow launches IPTV service in British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands – The Flow brand of Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) has announced the commercial launch of its IPTV service in the British Virgin Islands… more
Broadcast law amendments outline ground-rules for govt content on private stations ; unlicensed stations’ equipment will be seized
Guyana – Existing radio and television stations could be closed and their equipment seized if they do not apply for and are granted new licenses within 30 days of parliament’s approval of amendments to the Broadcasting Act, according to the Bill tabled in the House on Thursday. Government is also seeking to pass into how it intends to compulsorily have its content aired on private stations… more
Cabinet to decide way forward on outstanding US$5M for GTT shares
Guyana – Cabinet is expected to make a decision, sooner rather than later, on the way forward regarding the outstanding US$5M owed on the sale of the GTT shares to Hong Kong Golden Telecom Company (HKGT)… more
GTT upset over continuous sabotage of fibre optic cable
Guyana – The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) is upset at the continuous efforts by unknown characters to sabotage the infrastructure used to provide service internet and mobile services to Guyanese… more
Minister condemns vandalism of GTT cables
Guyana – Sharing a press conference with the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) , Public Telecom-munications Minister Cathy Hughes yesterday condemned the vandalism of the company’s key fibre optic cables… more
Interference and roaming on the bilateral agenda
Haiti – On Tuesday, the National Telecommunications Council (CONATEL) received in its offices a delegation of its Dominican counterpart INDOTEL (Instituto Dominicano de telecommunicaciones) on problems of interference in border towns between the two countries… more
Scotia ranked as World’s Best Consumer Digital Bank
Regional – Scotiabank has been recognised by Global Finance magazine as the 2017 World’s Best Consumer Digital Bank in Latin America and the Caribbean… more
TSTT partners with TT Police Service in ground-breaking body worn camera project
Trinidad and Tobago – “Trinidad and Tobago will become the first country in the world to commission a national-level study on the use of body-worn cameras when the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), supported by TSTT, embarks on a policing experiment that will incorporate the use of body worn cameras… more
Friday, 28 July 2017
Barbados: Minister says cell phone ban in schools was a mistake
Barbados – Minister of Education Ronald Jones says his 2009 decision to ban cell phones in schools was a “mistake”… more
Proposed amendments to Broadcasting Act will violate free expression- Jagdeo
Guyana – Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo on Friday warned that amendments to Guyana’s Broadcasting Act could result in the closure of several radio and television stations and would certainly see government taking away airtime from all stations under the guise of “public service programmes”… more
The GTT US$5M shares issue defies logic
Guyana – Dear Editor, On reading Kaieteur News’ Thursday, July 27, lead story, ‘Cabinet to decide way forward on outstanding US$5M for GTT shares,’ I noticed it made no mention of State Minister Joe Harmon’s 2016 trip to China, with an entourage… more
Haiti proposes elimination of roaming with Dominican Republic
Haiti – Haiti’s telecom watchdog Conseil National des Telecommunications (Conatel) proposed the elimination of roaming fees between the country and its neighbor the Dominican Republic … more
CIOS’ ROLE EXPANDING
Regional – The latest Harvey Nash/KPMG CIO Survey shows that 52 per cent of those surveyed are investing in more nimble technology platforms to assist their organisations to better innovate and adapt to the ever changing environment in which they operate… more
CXC launches first mobile App
Regional – The Caribbean Examinations Council’s (CXC) has launched its first mobile App – CXC Connect – as the agency continues to incorporate technology to make learning relatively seamless… more
Digital divide
Regional – A new survey shows that resistance to change is the single biggest impediment to companies achieving digital success… more
ECTEL Council of Ministers meet in Saint Lucia
Regional – The thirty-fifth meeting of the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority’s (ECTEL) Council of Ministers will convene in Saint Lucia today, July 28th, 2017… more
Dupersoy against free WiFi idea for country
Sint Maarten – TelEm Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kendall Dupersoy urges authorities to exercise “caution” to an idea coming out of a recently-concluded telecommunication conference in the Dominican Republic, that St. Maarten can enhance its telecommunication services to residents and visitors by offering free WiFi throughout the island… more
Regulator weighs in on free public WIFI discussion
Sint Maarten – “The Internet, so embedded in the lives of so many people, acting as the main way for information exchange, that to deny access to everyone in the world is a breach of human rights”, according to the United Nations in their ongoing efforts to protect internet access around the world… more
Saturday, 29 July 2017
Proposed broadcast laws threaten press freedom
Guyana – Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday sounded a warning over the government’s proposed changes to the broadcast legislation, dubbing them a threat to press freedom while saying they would force broadcasters to air government propaganda free of cost… more
BTP in favour of free Wi-Fi exploratory talks
Sint Maarten – Bureau Telecommunications and Post (BTP) St. Maarten has thrown its support behind the exploratory talks that were held recently for free Wi-Fi for visitors to St. Maarten… more
Sunday, 30 July 2017
Hughes urges broadcasters to keep up with advances in technology
Guyana – The Ministry of Public Telecommunications and the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) hosted a one-day consultation for licensed television broadcasters on the procedures and road-map for Guyana’s transition from Analogus to Digital Terrestrial TV (DTTV) Broadcasting by 2020… more
Modernization of justice system …Moves afoot to establish e-Judiciary
Guyana – Given the benefits of digital technology, efforts are underway by the legal administration to establish an e- judiciary, locally. This is according to Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings –Edwards… more
Prime Minister lashes back at Jagdeo over criticisms of broadcast law amendments
Guyana – Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has dismissed as totally baseless the criticisms leveled at government by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, about the regulations proposed for the Amended Broadcast Act… more
UCC To Broadcast Education Programmes
Jamaica – The University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC) has announced new initiatives to utilise information communication technology (ICT) to deliver courses and programmes… more
Techno-Tools For The Classroom: KA Lite — The Offline Learning Resource
Regional – There is range of learning resources available via the Internet, and a leading resource is the Khan Academy, a non-profit educational Organisation created in 2006 by educator Salman Khan… more
Image credits: Yukio Matsuoka (flickr); Wikipedia; The West Indian News; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikipedia
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