A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 18 December to Sunday 24 December 2017.
Monday, 18 December 2017
Cayman regulator supports net neutrality
Cayman Islands – In contrast to the telecoms regulator in the United States, OfReg, the Cayman Islands’ regulator, continues to support net neutrality, which ensures that all internet traffic is treated equally by the internet service providers (ISPs)… more
Cisco and Digicel transforming the digital space in the Caribbean
Regional – Cisco, the worldwide technology leader, and Digicel, a major telecommunication services provider covering a wide territory in the Caribbean, have signed a Caribbean Countries Digitalization (the “Frame Agreement”) outlining their objectives and strategic plans for accelerating the digital agenda and existing digitization policies for 26 countries in the Caribbean and Central America… more
How a Custom Microsoft App Is Helping the Caribbean Rebuild After Hurricanes
Regional – Last month at a United Nations donor conference, the international community pledged $1.3 billion to rebuild the hurricane-ravaged Caribbean… more
Digital Marketing Symposium wraps up Business Month
Saint Lucia – Last month’s third annual Digital Marketing Symposium culminated a packed Business Month agenda in Saint Lucia… more
Tuesday, 19 December 2017
1,000 youth to benefit from training in the ICT sector
Jamaica – Approximately 1,000 young people are set to benefit from short-term training and employment in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector effective January, 2018, courtesy of the Universal Service Fund (USF)… more
FLOW SPORTS AND SPORTSMAX TO BROADCAST UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AND UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE FROM NEXT SEASON
Regional – Kicking off in August 2018 with the 2018/19 European football season, Caribbean sports fans will have access to every UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League match, as Flow Sports and SportsMax team up with UEFA to bring some of the world’s most exciting football matches to the Caribbean… more
St Vincent Moves To Strengthen Cyber Security
Saint Vincent and the Grenadine – Internet adoption in the Caribbean is increasing rapidly, but so too new threats and risks for persons, business and governments that are going online… more
Microsoft: Digital tax collection way to go
Trinidad and Tobago – Technology giant, Microsoft, believes countries like Trinidad and Tobago that are facing economic challenges can use its cloud computing technology to boost revenue, reduce expenditure and create more efficient government services… more
Wednesday, 20 December 2017
Slow internet affecting ASYCUDA
Antigua and Barbuda – Slower internet bandwidth appears to be one of the major problems affecting customers’ interaction with the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) which went on stream here on April 3… more
Aliv Heralds Partnership As ‘Start Of Digital Revolution’
Bahamas – THE Bahamas’ second mobile provider yesterday unveiled its partnership with Mobile Assist, the mobile application providing directory services and engagement between businesses and their customers… more
Copper thieves disrupt service for BTC’s Customers
Bahamas – Shortly after 8 am on December 20, officials at the Bahamas Telecommunications Company discovered what appeared to be evidence of copper theft at BTC substation on East Atlantic Drive… more
Overstock.com’s Portfolio Company Bitt Launches Blockchain Mobile Money App in Barbados
Barbados – Blockchain platform Bitt announced this week it has launched its new Blockchain Mobile Money App, mMoney digital payment product, in Barbados… more
Digicel announces new data package
Jamaica – Telecoms giant Digicel yesterday announced a new data package loaded with “benefits for customers to ensure they can surf, stream and share to their heart’s content”… more
Digicel launches ‘Destination Data’ drive with Free Data Nights
Jamaica – Ringing in 2018 early and signalling its intent to become the “go-to place” for all things data, Digicel Jamaica on Wednesday announced its “Destination Data” drive… more
USF invests over $6.5 billion to expand Jamaica’s ICT sector
Jamaica – The Universal Service Fund (USF) has invested more than $6.5 billion in infrastructure, devices and programmes geared towards the expansion of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector over the past twelve years… more
CABLE & WIRELESS ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NEW CEO, INGE SMIDTS
Regional – Cable & Wireless Communications (C&W) today announced the appointment of Inge Smidts as Chief Executive Officer… more
CCJ Increases Accessibility with the Use of Technology
Regional – As stated in its mission statement, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) strives to operate with “accessibility, fairness, efficiency and transparency”… more
CIBC FirstCaribbean puts the power in clients’ hand
Regional – CIBC FirstCaribbean has put the power to monitor their debit and credit card accounts for fraud in the hands of its clients, by introducing client-controlled anti-fraud tools, including a geo-location service, transaction controls (including the ability to Freeze your Card) and real-time alerts to its award-winning mobile banking app just in time for the holidays… more
TSTT retains its ‘good’ ratings
Trinidad and Tobago – Local ratings agency Caricris has maintained its “good” rating of the 2014 TT $1.5 billion bond issue of Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (TSTT)… more
Thursday, 21 December 2017
MOBILE ASSIST PARTNERS WITH ALIV
Bahamas – Aliv has locked down a strategic partnership with Bahamian owned company Mobile Assist. This announcement came yesterday during a press conference held at the mobile carrier’s headquarters… more
URCA’s INAUGURAL ICT COMPETITION WINNERS REVEALED
Bahamas – Five lucky contestants walked away with the top prizes at the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority’s (URCA) Inaugural ICT (Information and Communications Technology) Awards Ceremony held last Friday… more
Customer service left much to be desired
Guyana – Dear Editor, Guyanese have for the most part been left at the mercy of private sector businesses, some of whom can at best be described as economic pirates… more
Cable & Wireless led gains during Wednesday’s trading
Jamaica – Cable & Wireless (C&W) led gains on Wednesday’s trading of the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE)… more
Cable & Wireless announces appointment of new CEO
Regional – Cable & Wireless Communications (C&W) today announced the appointment of Inge Smidts as chief executive officer… more
CIBC FirstCaribbean Introduces Mobile Banking Upgrades
Regional – CIBC FirstCaribbean has introduced client-controlled, anti-fraud tools to its mobile banking app – including a geo-location service, transaction controls and real-time alerts – to give customers the ability to monitor their debit and credit card accounts for fraud… more
AG: ‘E-mailgate’ far from over
Trinidad and Tobago – Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi yesterday said the “e-mailgate” saga is far from over… more
Will Bitcoin spell the end of traditional banking?
Trinidad and Tobago – Though some in T&T believe the climate is ready for the advent of Bitcoin, if the “chatter” it is generating in certain quarters is to be believed, interested parties may have to wait a bit longer before local authorities embrace the world’s newest form of currency… more
Friday, 22 December 2017
Management of Cable TV filed request for mass dismissal
Sint Maarten – The management of Cable TV under the auspices of TELEM filed a request for mass dismissal of Cable TV employees. SMN News understands that the head of the Department of Labor and Social Affairs along with the Minister of VSA has decided that a decision on the request will be taken in March 2018 since the department and Minister wants more information on the dismissal… more
Communications Failure may mean 911 and 999 are temporarily non- functional Islandwide
Saint Lucia – he St. Lucia Fire Service is currently experiencing communication downtime with their emergency lines, island wide… more
Saturday, 23 December 2017
Moratorium on telecoms permits, concessions extended by a year
Sint Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Melissa Arrindell-Doncher has extended the moratorium on “requests for telecommunications services” by one year… more
Sunday, 24 December 2017
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Image credits: ChristopherPluta (Pixabay); Wikipedia; Marketing Magazine; Wikimedia
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