A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 4 August to Sunday 11 August 2019.
Monday, 5 August 2019
Flow closing WB shop
Cayman Islands – Flow has announced the closure of its store at Heritage Square in West Bay, as the once leading local telecommunications company shrinks its footprint in Cayman even further… more
Radio emergency alert system launching soon
Cayman Islands – Cayman’s emergency response agencies have received training in the new National Emergency Notification System, part of which is designed to interrupt local radio transmissions to broadcast critical public safety information in the event of a disaster… more
Garcia supports AI in education
Trinidad and Tobago – EDUCATION MINISTER Anthony Garcia believes artificial intelligence (AI) is worth pursuing. Garcia spoke at the launch of the NextGen Tech Education Coding Camp, held yesterday at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain… more
Tuesday, 6 August 2019
2019 Future Of Anguilla Telecommunications Market- Trends, Outlook and Growth Opportunities of Mobile, Fixed Landline and Broadband Markets
Anguilla – The future value proposition for telecommunications market in Anguilla to 2025 is detailed in the report. It also provides imperatives for gaining market share in highly competitive telecom industry… more
Chief Justice Unveils Ambitious E-Reforms
Bahamas – The Chief Justice is targeting the total digital transformation of the Bahamian court system through a multi-year “e-services” roll-out designed to “catch up with where the rest of the world is”… more
COMPUTER EXPERT FEELS LOCAL BUSINESSES ARE YET TO RECOGNISE CYBER-THREAT DESPITE RECENT BREACHES
Barbados – In the last three years, Barbadian companies have had funds illegally siphoned in two separate occasions, yet the alarming trend has not served as a wake up call to revise defences – this lack of foresight is dangerous in one expert’s view as the next attack is just a matter of time… more
Liberty Latin America Reports Q2 and H1 2019 Results
Regional – Liberty Latin America Ltd. (“Liberty Latin America” or “LLA”) (NASDAQ: LILA and LILAK, OTC Link: LILAB) today announced its financial and operating results for the three months (“Q2”) and six months (“YTD” or “H1”) ended June 30, 2019… more
TechStart: Building a Startup in 90 Days | Business Model Pt. 2
Regional – These results were obtained from running a one(1) week Facebook sponsored post for the survey… more
Digicel Launches Social Media Engagement And Commerce Platform
Saint Lucia – N a significant step forward in its journey to become the digital lifestyle partner for its customers, Digicel St Lucia on Friday, August 2nd launched its new digital engagement platform Digicel More, in partnership with FastForward.ai, a Silicon Valley tech company revolutionizing mobile engagement… more
TTRideShare enters Tobago market
Trinidad and Tobago – A local rideshare app providing new transportation options and convenience has been launched in Tobago… more
Wednesday, 7 August 2019
MOU Signed by Globex, Julius Capital Bank, and Antiguan Government
Antigua and Barbuda – Another island nation is making their case as the new ‘blockchain island’. While this moniker is often attached with Malta, it is Antigua that is has made a recent step forward within the digital securities sector… more
Telecommunications minister says developing 5G network in AB will benefit communities
Antigua and Barbuda – Telecommunications Minister, Melford Nicholas, reiterated his stance that every household and business must be connected to the Internet… more
BTC Suffers $13.6m First Half Revenue Fall
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) $13.6m first-half revenue decline last night underscored the urgency of pleas for corporate unity as its business continues to slip away… more
OfReg loses decision on battle with Datalink
Cayman Islands – Justice Marlene Carter has ruled that the Utility Regulation and Competition Office, commonly known as OfReg, failed to follow the law in ruling that Datalink Ltd. could not charge reservation fees for future use of its power poles… more
VXI Global Solutions Wins Customer Value Leadership Award from Frost & Sullivan
Jamaica – Based on its recent analysis of the Central American and Caribbean business transformation and customer care services market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes VXI Global Solutions LLC (VXI) with the 2019 Central America and Caribbean Customer Value Leadership Award… more
Social media, leadership vital for civil society groups
Trinidad and Tobago – “Social media and proper leadership are two vital interventions for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to sustain themselves”… more
Thursday, 8 August 2019
BTC’s Parent ‘Confident’ On 2020 Revival
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) ultimate owner yesterday voiced optimism its mobile business will deliver an “improved performance” heading into 2020 despite further subscriber losses… more
Telecoms firm explains why internet exchange points not currently feasible
Bahamas – A telecoms company believes that the establishment of internet exchange points (IXPs) in The Bahamas is not immediately feasible for local internet traffic, save for the routing of e-government services, a Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) consultation response reveals.. more
ICT fundamentals
Guyana – ICT fundamentals… more
North Georgetown Secondary receives tablets for E-Library pilot project
Guyana– North Georgetown Secondary School is the recipient of a quantity of tablets to be used as a boost to its E-Library Pilot Project… more
Entrepreneurs can now register their businesses online
Jamaica – Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ) and the Cabinet Office of Jamaica have partnered to launch an Electronic Version to the Business Registration Form (EBRF)… more
PM Encourages Jamaicans to Harness Potential of Digital Economy
Jamaica – Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is encouraging Jamaicans to embrace the possibilities that can result from the country’s transition to a digital economy… more
Internet Exchange Point To Be Launched
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The National ICT Center where the Department of Technology is housed is currently preparing to introduce an internet exchange point in the federation… more
CANTO achieves success at its 35th Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition in Trinidad & Tobago
Regional – From July 21st – 24th 2019, the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago was transformed into a digital think tank as CANTO hosted its 35th Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition under the theme, “Transitioning to a Digital Region – Opportunities and Challenges”… more
Friday, 9 August 2019
BHTA president: Airbnb properties must ‘carry their load’ on taxation
Bahamas – The vacation home rental market, particularly Airbnb, needs to carry its load by way of taxation and promoting The Bahamas in the same ways the hotel industry does, Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) President Carlton Russell asserted yesterday… more
Controversy Will ‘Force BTC To Perform Better’
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) ultimate parent has “almost been forced to do better” by its chief executive’s controversial comments, a trade union leader said yesterday… more
Creating a ‘SMART’ Barbados
Barbados– As it moves to modernize and bring the framework for local broadcasting in line with the digital reality of the 21st Century, the Barbados Broadcasting Authority (BBA) is considering a wide range of proposals and ideas from stakeholders across the industry… more
A technology summer: STEMGuyana shows off its near countrywide reach
Guyana – STEM Guyana is using the longest holiday of the school year to good effect by reaching into some of the far corners of Guyana in collaboration with various partner organisations to help prepare the country’s young people to become what, sooner rather than later, will be the highly sought after labour force needed to take the responsibilities of economic and social development forward…more
GNBA flags Freedom Radio over broadcasting violations — Jagdeo accuses Authority of censorship
Guyana – The Guyana National Broadcasting Authority, (GNBA) has flagged the Freedom Radio 91.1 Fm which is operated by the Peoples’ Progressive Party, Civic (PPP/C)… more
Guyana Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband Statistics and Analyses 2019 – ResearchAndMarkets.com
Guyana – The only English-speaking nation in South America, Guyana has a small population with one of the lowest GDP rates in the region… more
Flow Jamaica Grows Mobile Base From ‘Blue’ Campaign – Offsets Declines In Other Liberty Markets
Jamaica – CABLE & Wireless Jamaica, which trades as Flow, added a large block of customers during the June quarter, while amassing US$99 million in sales, which translates to $13.5 billion in local currency… more
Three cyber threats targeting financial services companies
Regional – Cybercriminals continue to target the financial services industry to steal payment card data, online banking accounts, and to compromise ATM machines using ransomware, crypto mining, and other malware… more
Staff at telecommunications retail outlets begin sign language classes
Trinidad and Tobago – The Disability Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services recently began a sign language workshop for frontline staff of some of this country’s leading telecommunication retail outlets… more
Saturday, 10 August 2019
3rd Digital Summer School, open enrollments
Haiti– The Quisqueya University Library, as a partner, is hosting the 3rd edition of the Digital Summer School organized by the Young Volunteer Network of Classics of Social Sciences from August 20 to 23, 2019… more
Sunday, 11 August 2019
Local blockchain technology survey launched
Cayman Islands – Justice Marlene Carter has ruled that the Utility Regulation and Competition Office, commonly known as OfReg, failed to follow the law in ruling that Datalink Ltd. could not charge reservation fees for future use of its power poles… more
Govt. to establish countrywide digital register of police reports
Guyana – Government intends to establish a national, digital register of cases which will allow the force to better solve cases and track criminal elements, according to Minister of Public Security and second Vice President, Khemraj Ramjattan… more
ICT ‘Code Camp’ 2019 Graduation
Guyana – Bringing the curtain down on the six months of activities in the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) field, 30 teenagers who were apart of the programme were yesterday awarded certificates of achievements for their participation in the Ministry of Public Telecommunications ‘Code Camp’ 2019… more
Artificial intelligence and humans as work partners – Can it be done?
Jamaica – As Jamaican markets embark on digital transformation there is a host of concerns that humans will have to compete with smart technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI); but Sheldon Powe suggests that the two can coexist in the workplace… more
Digital and technology — Caribbean potential
Regional – With the new digital wave comes myriad opportunities for the Caribbean, and in particular Jamaica, to step up and make her mark on this bold (new) world. Gone are the days when social media was seen as just a game… more
Damus goes e-commerce
Trinidad and Tobago – Damus Roofing Systems, a local manufacturer and supplier of roofing and building materials, has launched an e-commerce website, which it dubs the first of its kind in the region… more
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