A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 29 October to Sunday 4 November 2018.
Monday, 29 October 2018
Young Bahamian employed at Google shares knowledge with GB students
Bahamas – As the country moves towards becoming more technologically proficient, Kristie Powell, a young and talented Bahamian employed at Tech giant Google in Silicon Valley, is giving back to The Bahamas by passing her knowledge, passion and experience to other young Bahamians… more
New Regulations Coming For Fintech Firms In Barbados
Barbados – Some of the services of financial technology (fintech) firms in Barbados could soon be regulated… more
FLOW IS A RIP-OFF COMPANY
Grenada – Please permit me space in your widely read newspaper to express my utmost disgust with Lime/ Flow… more
Hughes says working to meet deadline for liberalising telecoms
Guyana – Public Telecommunications Minister Catherine Hughes has assured that she is working around the clock to ensure that the end-of-year deadline for the liberalisation of the telecoms sector is met… more
Chuck says Wi-Fi in courts will improve efficiency of surveillance system
Jamaica – Minister of Justice, Delroy Chuck, says Wi-Fi service in courthouses across Jamaica will improve the efficiency of the surveillance system being put in place to ensure the safety and security of all users of the courts… more
Jamaica? The Next Tech Outsourcing Hub?
Jamaica – After securing world-leading 233 percent stock market growth (yes, it’s true) according to a report published earlier this month by Bloomberg, alongside billions of dollars’ worth of Chinese investment, is this tropical island on the doorstep of the USA making the transition from tourists to tech? …more
CXC pilots e-certificates on blockchain
Regional – In a move aimed at boosting security and portability of official examinations records, the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) will pilot Blockcerts or blockchain-based credentials to a limited number of candidates starting on Wednesday, October 31… more
Police Warns Perpetrators of Cybercrimes
Jamaica – The police is warning perpetrators of cybercrimes that they will be apprehended and dealt with decisively… more
Caribbean Nationals Victorious in ARIN Elections
Regional – Three Caribbean candidates — Peter Harrison, Alicia Trotman and Kerrie-Ann Richards — have been elected to leadership roles at the American Registry of Internet Numbers (ARIN)… more
Kelver Darroux appointed Chairman of ECTEL’s Council of Ministers
Regional – The Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) announces the appointment of the Honourable Kelver Darroux, Minister of Information, Science, Telecommunications and Technology of the Commonwealth of Dominica, as the new Chairman of ECTEL’s Council of Ministers for the period 1st October 2018 to 31st September 2019… more
Federation leads Information Communication and Technologies
Saint Kitts and Nevis – ith the increased use of technology in everyday life, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis continues to be a leader in deploying Information Communication and Technologies (ICTs) and enhancing efficiencies and citizen-centric services… more
Primary school students being taught computer skills for cutting-edge careers
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Primary school students in St. Kitts and Nevis will receive training in computer code and coding/programming to ensure that they capitalize on the growing opportunities for Information, Communication and Technology (ICT)-enhanced skills… more
Digital government can deliver GDP savings
Trinidad and Tobago– AN effective knowledge-based economy can deliver economic savings of one working week per year or two per cent of a country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)… more
Tuesday, 30 October 2018
Skills Mismatch in the Agriculture and ICT Labor Markets
Belize – The Belize Chamber of Commerce (BCCI) is the employer’s representative for Belize. The BCCI is recognized by the ILO. Many employers have often guessed that students leave schools without the necessary skills needed for the workforce. Now a study has shown that there is no need to guess as it is true… more
Govt. pushes GTT, Digicel for interim inter-connectivity arrangement
Guyana – Given ongoing court battles, Government is pushing Digicel and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) to work out an interim inter-connectivity agreement… more
IT labs inaugurated at Eccles, Tucville primary schools
Guyana– The Ministry of Education yesterday commissioned two new IT laboratories at the Eccles and Tucville Primary Schools… more
Cyber attack… Senior cop issues warning
Jamaica – Assistant Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey said that too many individuals “are posting material that are degrading, defaming, lewd, and rude, (which) can cause people to feel embarrassed, threatened or placed in fear… more
Endless possibilities with virtual reality
Jamaica – The world of business is shifting at an unmatched pace, with technology driving change both positive and negative in just about every sector. Business competitiveness in the modern era is largely dependent on an organisation’s agility and ability to adapt to these shifts. One of these technologies is virtual reality (VR)… more
Free Wi-Fi for courts early next year
Jamaica – THE Ministry of Justice has signed a contract with technology firm Growth-Tech Limited for the supply of Wi-Fi modems in all courthouses across Jamaica and the provision of wireless Internet… more
Jamaica Society For The Blind Equipped With Special Computers
Jamaica – Committing to support the Jamaica Society for the Blind (JSB) at a recent road race, organisers at Running Events Jamaica delivered on their promise, donating 24 HP personal computers to the society, specially equipped with non-visual desktop access (NVDA) software… more
Airbnb and CTO strengthen partnership to drive regional tourism
Regional – Chris Lehane, Head of Global Policy and Public Affairs for Airbnb and Hugh Riley, CEO and Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on October 24, during Riley’s visit to Airbnb headquarters in San Francisco… more
Digicel Group Limited Extends Early Tender Date for Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations
Regional – Digicel Group Limited (“Digicel”) today announced that two of its subsidiaries are extending the early tender date (the “Early Tender Date”) and expiration date (the “Expiration Date”) of each of their previously announced Exchange Offers (as defined below) with respect to certain series of Digicel Group Limited’s outstanding senior notes… more
Wednesday, 31 October 2018
19 more tech ready
Barbados– The Aron and Christina Foundation donated 19 Kindle Fire Tablets to the students of Workman’s Primary School this morning… more
Guyana: Commonwealth concerned at technological gap in trade
Guyana – A senior official of the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat says efforts are being made to bridge the technological gap in trade… more
Contracts Signed for Tablets in Schools Project
Jamaica– A new phase of the Tablets in Schools Project is slated to get under way soon, following the signing of two contracts totalling US$30 million… more
C&WJ Owners To Vote On Reorganisation Nov 21
Jamaica – Telecom provider Cable & Wireless Jamaica, C&WJ, is making headway on its plans to reorganise the company under a new scheme of arrangement that it previously indicated was part of the plan to take the company private… more
OUR Extends Permissive 10-Digit Dialling Until March 2019
Jamaica – The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) is reporting that a decision has been taken to extend the permissive 10-digit dialling period by five months, to March 30, 2019… more
Thursday, 1 November 2018
BTVI Receives Technology Gift
Bahamas – The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) recently received a donation of 13 desktop computers and 15 monitors for its Student Resource Centre… more
Gaming operators to collect data on addictive players
Bahamas – As there is little information available about persons who are addicted to gaming, The Bahamas Gaming Operators Association has partnered with government to study the gaming patterns of players, said Chief Executive Officer of the BGOA, Gershan Major… more
RBC promoting digital banking
Regional – Canadian-based Royal Bank of Canada, remains optimistic about a seamless transition into digital banking for its scores of clients around the globe, according to David Hewick, Senior Director of Channels, RBC Caribbean… more
Digicel Trinidad & Tobago Stands Committed To Assisting This Country’s Economic Recovery.
Trinidad and Tobago– As Trinidad and Tobago continues to edge towards an economic recovery, one international company is reiterating its intentions to continue its contribution toward that development… more
Digital future where no one is left behind
Trinidad and Tobago– Technology continues to evolve exponentially each year. Many of these advancements are experienced by people throughout TT… more
Friday, 2 November 2018
Aliv Targets Summer 2019 ‘Break Even’
Bahamas – Aliv is targeting an operating income “break even” position by summer 2019 as it transitions from start-up losses that totalled more than $109m during its first two years… more
Cable Pushes $97m Debt Repay To 2020
Bahamas – Cable Bahamas has secured a two-year extension for repaying $97.169m of debt that was falling due, and which had caused current liabilities to exceed assets by 95.6 percent… more
Blockchain regulatory sandbox kicks off in Barbados
Barbados – The Central Bank of Barbados and the Financial Services Commission have jointly launched their first regulatory sandbox with Bitt Digital Inc… more
EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK: Start-ups will need support
Barbados – All the talk these days is about entrepreneurship and self-employment. These are the choice words from our politicians… more
Digicel extends deadline for bondholders
Jamaica– Digicel has again extended a deadline for its bondholders to accept an offer to swap US$3 billion of outstanding debt for new securities with later maturity dates… more
Focus on Geospatial Technologies
Jamaica– The Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, through the National Spatial Data Management Division (NSDMD), will observe National Geography Awareness Week 2018 under the theme ‘Geospatial Technologies: Driving Logistics and Transportation’… more
Judi-Ann Edwards | Free Wi-Fi And Data Protection
Jamaica – The introduction of free Wi-Fi on buses and at business establishments has been categorised as a cutting-edge initiative, and perhaps rightly so. It is a known fact that several businesses, from restaurants to banks, offer free Wi-Fi as a selling point to attract customers… more
Mastercard Uses Jamaica As Pilot For ‘I Accept’
Jamaica – With approximately 11,000 merchant locations accepting Mastercard on the island, the leading technology company in the global payments industry said the decision to use Jamaica as the first Caribbean island to launch its ‘I Accept’ campaign was an excellent idea… more
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court introduces e-Litigation system
Regional – The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is implementing an Integrated Electronic Litigation (e-Litigation) system within all courts in all the nine-member Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) for the electronic management of cases… more
Estonia Inspires E-Governance Roadmap for the Caribbean
Regional – After an intensive week of training and consultations in Estonia, a group of Caribbean policy makers is inspired to improve digital governance in the region…more
Regional bankers urged to embrace technology
Regional – Bahamas Finance Minister K. Peter Turnquest has told Caribbean bankers that digitisation is not just the new normal in banking, but a new normal in life and part of the global shift towards openness, transparency, access and engagement… more
BELFUND launches new website to cater to “digital customers”
Saint Lucia – The James Belgrave Micro Enterprise Fund ( BELFUND) has unveiled a redesigned website to provide an improved customer experience to clients and potential clients looking for finance for their small and micro-businesses… more
Flow Doubles Down on Mobile Data!
Saint Lucia – Customers on Saint Lucia’s first, fastest, and most reliable 4G LTE mobile data network are in for a pre-Christmas treat, as Flow is giving prepaid users double the value of whatever package they subscribe to… more
Say hello to St. Lucia’s only island-wide LTE network
Saint Lucia – Digicel customers can now enjoy blazing-fast mobile speeds on St. Lucia’s only island-wide superfast Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network… more
Flow Partners With ECCB
Saint Vincent of the Grenadines– Telecommunications company Flow last week Thursday, joined forces with the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) in the Bank’s drive to raise Vincentians’ awareness of financial empowerment and the digital financial environment… more
Saturday, 3 November 2018
GOVERNMENT PUSHING ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Barbados– Minister of Youth and Community Empowerment Adrian Forde is assuring young entrepreneurs that Government will do everything possible to give them the platform needed to showcase their creativity and talent… more
Sunday, 4 November 2018
NIDS Lessons From Estonia
Jamaica– Chief Technical Director in the Office of the Prime Minister, Jacqueline Lynch-Stewart, has returned from a visit to Estonia with fresh enthusiasm over the proposed National Identification System (NIDS)… more
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