A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 12 February to Sunday 18 February 2018.
Monday, 12 February 2018
mMoney: What’s in Your Wallet?
Barbados – In a country where about half the population doesn’t have bank accounts, and bank fees can be almost punitive, the principals behind a digitized version of the Barbados dollar are hoping to change the money game… more
Brief: Indotel teams up on telecoms conflict resolution
Dominican Republic – The Dominican Republic’s telecoms regulator Indotel has signed an agreement with the Santo Domingo chamber of commerce (CRC) to improve conflict … more
Tuesday, 12 February 2018
EDITORIAL : A radio celebration
Antigua and Barbuda – Guess what everyone?!? It is World Radio Day! Yippee! So, pop the champagne and celebrate that you live in a country that has radio and that it is accessible by all… more
Cayman Islands to emerge as key strategic hub for subsea cable sector
Cayman Islands – OfReg is working with other government departments to open up the Cayman Island’s subsea sector to international investors… more
We need more internet providers and strong regulations
Guyana – Dear Editor, When the PPP/C government started an ICT fibre optic cable from Brazil, Guyanese were elated. I think it was recognized that Gtt seemed incapable of delivering fit and proper internet service… more
Haitians Living Abroad Get Discounted Calls to Haiti and International Calling Credit Prize Around Valentine’s Day from SalutHaiti.com
Haiti – SalutHaiti.com, the platform serving Haitian expats worldwide, offers 10% off on Voice Credit orders for calls to Haiti on February 14, 2018, using coupon VDAY18, plus it launches a $10 Voice Credit prize within the Haitian Facebook community called I love Haiti, between February 13-18, 2018… more
Jamaican LTE network Caricel sold to South Africa’s Involution
Jamaica – Symbiote Investments has announced the sale of its Jamaican LTE-only network Caricel to South Africa-based investment group Involution Limited for an undisclosed sum… more
Digicel spending $15 million on network upgrade
Regional – Digicel is spending $15 million to repair and improve its telecommunications infrastructure, 94 per cent of which was damaged by hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017… more
Wednesday, 14 February 2018
Cable Bahamas Mobile Build-Out Stalls Profits
Bahamas – Telecoms company Cable Bahamas Limited posted a net loss of Bah$15 million for its first quarter ended September, quadrupling the bleed reported in the comparative period in 2016… more
Better Modems, Faster Speeds – GTT begins free modem change in Berbice
Guyana – Customers in the New Amsterdam and Rose Hall, Corentyne will soon begin experiencing significantly better online experiences, more stable and stronger internet connections, along with better technical support as a result of GTT’s project to change their current modems to new ones… more
GTT boasts readiness to support oil and gas boom
Guyana – The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) has assured investors in the oil and gas sector that the country is unlikely to experience disruptions to international connectivity with the rest of the world because the submarine fibre-optic cable has a back-up system… more
GTT frustrates potential customer
Guyana – A pregnant customer of Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company is in state of bewilderment over to a lack of urgency and haphazard service offered to her by GTT… more
C
apacity building for smart cities
Jamaica – Throughout most of history, the majority of the world’s population lived in rural areas and only a small proportion lived in urban areas… more
Inner-city residents taught how to earn online
Jamaica – Over a dozen inner-city residents in various volatile communities are now earning online through training provided by Internet Income Jamaica (IIJ) in the Alternative Livelihood Skills Development (ALSD) Programme run by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF)… more
Caribbean TV Subscribers Take Control of their Viewing Experience with Flow Evo14 February, 2018
Regional – “‘YOU run the show!’ is what we’re telling our Flow TV customers,” according to Shuja Khan, Chief Commercial Officer, C&W Communications… more
Claro Caribbean sales down another 9% in Q4 on Puerto Rico impact
Puerto Rico – America Movil’s Claro units in the Caribbean reported fourth-quarter revenues down 9.0 percent year on year to USD 448 million following a similar 9.4 percent annual decline in Q3, as the extraordinary costs resulting from Hurricane Maria’s impact on Puerto Rico continued to bite… more
Caribbean TV Subscribers Take Control of their Viewing Experience with Flow Evo
Regional – YOU run the show!’ is what we’re telling our Flow TV customers,” according to Shuja Khan, Chief Commercial Officer, C&W Communications… more
Team Unity to launch National ICT Centre as part of anniversary celebration
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The Team Unity government, through the Ministry of Communications, will officially launch the state-of-the-art National ICT Centre as part of the week-long activities around its historic three-year anniversary celebrations… more
Thursday, 15 February 2018
New telephone system for BRA Treasury location
Barbados – The Barbados Revenue Authority is in the process of transitioning to a new telephone system at its Treasury Building location… more
Could Cable Operators Be Forced to Pull The Plug On Your HBO?
Belize – Cable television as you know it might be coming to an end – and that’s because – after years of avoidance – copyright compliance could be imposed upon Belize soon… more
Drones to improve the Sugar Industry
Belize – For the next 30 days, the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI) will be working with a South African consulting firm to implement phase 1 of a drainage master plan for the sugar belt, which spans the Orange Walk and Corozal Districts… more
HBO Demands Copyright Compliance from Cable Operator
Belize – Ready to pay more for basic cable? It could happen as issues of copyright compliance come to Belize… more
GTT technician thrown from post after coming in contact with transformer
Guyana – A technician of the Guyana Telephone and Telephone Company (GTT) is now hospitalized after reportedly coming in contact with a pole-mounted distribution transformer yesterday… more
Our radio practitioners should strive to perform professionally
Guyana – Dear Editor, On February 13, 2018, World Radio Day was celebrated… more
USF’s Technology Advancement Programme Gets Under Way
Jamaica – The Government’s Technology Advancement Programme (TAP) is gathering momentum with the recent staging of an orientation session for participants in the island-wide programme… more
Flow launches enhanced TV service in Caribbean
Regional – The Flow brand of Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) has announced the launch of an enhanced TV service throughout the Caribbean… more
Cable & Wireless Reports Preliminary 2017 Results¹
Regional – Cable & Wireless Communications Limited (“C&W”) is a leading telecommunications operator in its consumer markets, which are predominantly located in the Caribbean and Latin America, providing entertainment, information and communication services to 3.4 million mobile, 0.6 million internet, 0.6 million fixed-line telephony and 0.4 million video subscribers… more
Cloud Carib Achieves Record Growth as Caribbean and Latin American Businesses and Government Agencies Pursue Digital Transformation
Regional – Cloud Carib, a provider of managed cloud and ICT services to businesses and governments in the Caribbean and Latin American region, completed its most successful year to date in December… more
Digicel partners with SportsMax to cover Winter Olympics
Regional – Barbadians will have the opportunity to see Winter Olympic coverage from its official sponsor… more
Liberty Latin America Q4 revenue down 10% to USD 850 mln on hurricane impact
Regional – Liberty Latin America, the newly split-off unit of Liberty Global focused on Latin America and the Caribbean, reported revenues down 10 percent year on year to USD 850 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, as strong growth at Chilean unit VTR failed to offset hurricane-related declines at Caribbean unit Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) and, above all, in Puerto Rico… more
Mike Antonius of Telesur Elected to CANTO’s Board
Regional – Mike Antonius is the newest member on the CANTO Board of Directors… more
Another milestone reached as the National ICT Centre reopens in St. Kitts
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Another significant achievement was realized on Thursday, February 15, 2018, when the National ICT Centre in St. Kitts reopened, which also marked another milestone for the Government of National Unity as they celebrate three years in office… more
Contents released of PM’s message at opening of ICT Centre
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The following contains the original remarks of the Honourable Dr. Timothy Harris, prime minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, at the official opening of the ICT Centre, Feb. 15, 2018… more
National ICT Centre reopens in St. Kitts
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Another significant achievement was realized Feb. 15 when the National ICT Centre in St. Kitts reopened, marking another milestone for the government of National Unity as they celebrate three years in office… more
Living through the digital revolution
Trinidad and Tobago – What was once considered science fiction in Hollywood movies of old, has now, in some respects, become reality in the world of information technology and the digital age… more
Trinidad launches investigation into wifi in prisons
Trinidad and Tobago – An investigation has been launched into the use of internet in correctional institutions across Trinidad… more
Friday, 16 February 2018
It’s Not TV, It’s HBO: Cable Will Cost You More
Belize – The pressure is building on Belizeans in the creative industries – broadcasting, both radio and television, and music and the arts – to begin recognizing copyright and intellectual property and pay the requisite fees to satisfy rights holders… more
New online application system for Immigration
British Virgin Islands – The Immigration Department is implementing an online application process for entry permits… more
Regulator Body starts monitoring TV, radio stations for abuse, breaches
Guyana – The country’s regulator for radio and television operations has started monitoring and recording programmes for possible abuse and breaches… more
More Students to Receive Tablet Computers
Jamaica – The Government is to spend $700 million to increase learning opportunities to students by providing them with more access to tablet computers and other information and communications technology (ICT)-based equipment, under the e-Learning Project… more
Research Department to Be Established at eGov Jamaica Limited
Jamaica – A Research, Innovation and Product Development Department is be established at eGov Jamaica Limited to explore new technologies and methodologies for e-government services… more
CWC sales down 1% to USD 585 mln in Q4, adds 30,000 RGUs
Regional – Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC), part of Liberty Global’s newly split-off Liberty Latin America unit, reported revenues of USD 584.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, down 1.0 percent year on year due to the negative impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the Caribbean region, offset by growth in revenue generating units (RGUs)… more
Digicel to spend USD 15 mln on Caribbean network upgrade
Regional – Digicel is investing USD 15 million to repair and upgrade its telecommunications infrastructure in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI), Dominica, British Virgin Islands and Anguilla, reports the Turks & Caicos Sun, citing the company’s newly-appointed COO Addison Stoddard… more
Internet Entrepreneurship Centre To Hold Its First Event In The Caribbean
Regional – A new initiative is being launched this month to help Caribbean professionals get more out of the digital space… more
Juvo and Cable & Wireless Identity Scoring
Regional – Juvo partners with mobile operators to establish a financial identity and provide access to financial services for unbanked prepaid mobile users around the world… more
Liberty Latin America kicks off with losses
Regional – Liberty Latin America has published its first report, showing pay-TV losses across almost every market… more
Flow meets media practitioners
Saint Lucia – Representatives of the senior leadership team of the island’s leading telecommunications service provider met recently with members of the news fraternity recently, as the Flow management team sat with the Media Association of Saint Lucia at the company’s Corinth headquarters… more
Cyber Crime Act: A Living Instrument
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Acting Commissioner of Police Colin John has described this country’s first conviction under the Cyber Crime Act 2016, on Monday, as a historic development which proves that the Act is working… more
Facing Facebook reality
Trinidad and Tobago – WE SHOULD all click “Like” on Justice Frank Seepersad’s latest ruling… more
RBC opens a world of business opportunity through E-commerce
Trinidad and Tobago – THE FUTURE direction of local and international trade was demonstrated to a diverse group of business clients when RBC Royal Bank hosted an electronic commerce (e-commerce) workshop at Achievor’s Banquet Hall, Duncan Village, San Fernando last week… more
Social media is publishing, Seepersad rules
Trinidad and Tobago – WHEN JUSTICE Frank Seepersad delivered his ruling on case CV 2016-02974, he did so in the clear understanding that this was a document that would guide the next generation of local libel cases, which will increasingly come from the electronic aether, not from traditional media channels… more
Tech programme launched on ‘Safer Internet Day’*
Trinidad and Tobago – With Internet safety now prime global concern, it was a very timely intervention by the Digicel Foundation, Trinidad and Tobago, when they partnered with the non-governmental organisation “Restore a Sense of I Can” (RSC) to launch the implementation of four Tech Clubs in secondary schools… more
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Cyberattacks
Barbados – Cybercriminals are seizing vital computer data from companies and individuals in Barbados and extorting money for its return… more
$1.25 Billion Allocated to Commence Implementation of NIDS
Jamaica – The Government has allocated $1.25 billion to commence implementation of the National Identification System (NIDS) during the 2018/19 fiscal year… more
Bitt and Montserrat Gov’t Sign MOU to Create Digital Payments Ecosystem
Montserrat – Montserrat Premier Donaldson Romeo has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Barbados-based financial technology company Bitt Inc., to create a Digital Payments Ecosystem in Montserrat… more
ICT personnel in St. Kitts and Nevis train on use of Amazon web services
Saint Kitts and Nevis – A number of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) personnel in St. Kitts and Nevis explored the use of Amazon Web Services through a two-day official technical training workshop this weekend at the newly reopened National ICT Centre… more
Drone used in arrest of 3
Trinidad and Tobago – DRONE technology deployed by the police’s Air Support Unit, played a pivotal role in helping Northern Eastern Division Task Force officers in the pursuit and subsequent arrest of three suspects during an anti-crime exercise, in the Las Cuevas district, on Wednesday… more
Sunday, 18 February 2018
Dominican Republic linked to attack on 50,000+ Snapchat users
Dominican Republic – “How KLKViral tricked users into giving up their passwords,” outlet theverge.com reports on the attack it affirms is associated with the Dominican Republic… more
EDITORIAL: THE CYBERCRIME OF DEFAMATION
Regional – A report in yesterday’s [Saturday] edition of the Barbados Advocate informed of a change of heart by a defendant in St Vincent & the Grenadines who had previously pleaded guilty to four counts of libel by electronic communication against her own sister under the Cybercrime Act in that jurisdiction… more
Get ready for dialling change
Jamaica – In light of the impending 10-digit dialling system which becomes reality on May 31, the Office of the Utilities Regulation (OUR), along with telecommunications providers FLOW and Digicel, is appealing to businesses and other stakeholders to prepare themselves adequately and their customers for the switch from the usual seven-digit dialling… more
Massive public education about 10-digit regime
Jamaica – JAMAICA’S major telecommunications providers FLOW and Digicel are ramping up activities to launch a massive public awareness campaign at the end of this month, to familiarise Jamaicans with the 10-digit dialling regime which takes effect here on May 31… more
MoBay’s Henry wants special label for BPO industry
Jamaica – President of the Business Process Industry (BPI) of Jamaica Gloria Henry is calling for the Business Process Outsourcing industry to be categorised separately from other sectors in the island… more
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