A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 15 June to Sunday 21 June 2020.
Monday, 15 June 2020
E-Networks donates thermal camera system to CJIA for COVID-19 checks
Guyana – With temperature checks forming an integral part of containing the spread of COVID-19, the need for a quick, efficient and less invasive way of screening passengers is critical… more
Tuesday, 16 June 2020
Anguilla Telecom Market Analysis and Outlook Report
Anguilla – The report on Anguilla Telecom is a comprehensive collection of all the market related information required for analyzing and understanding the Anguilla Telecom market… more
New online market place aims to reduce need for imports
Antigua and Barbuda – After almost two years brainstorming ways to improve the business climate in Antigua and Barbuda for the benefit of local merchants, technology company, Antigua Commercial Technology (ACT), has created a new concept that places a virtual “shopping mall in the palm of your hands”… more
URCA makes final determination on termination rates
Bahamas – The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) has made a final determination regarding wholesale fixed and mobile termination charges between significant market power licensees of electronic communications in The Bahamas… more
Belize Telecom Market Analysis and Outlook Report 2020
Belize – The report on Belize Telecom is a comprehensive collection of all the market related information required for analyzing and understanding the Belize Telecom market… more
CCT suspends future advertising with VINO for controversial cartoon
British Virgin islands – At least one company has suspended advertising with local news website Virgin Islands News Online (VINO), who has been under heavy public criticism for publishing a cartoon of Governor Augustus Jaspert kneeling on the neck of radio talkshow host and government consultant Claude Skelton Cline… more
Internet down for 1600 Blaze customers
Guyana – 1600 customers of GTT’s Blaze service are currently experiencing an internet outage, Public Relations Officer at the company Jasmine Harris said today… more
Digital Divide Affecting Rural Jamaica
Jamaica – THE EDITOR, Madam: On Saturday, June 13, The Gleaner published a piece that has weighed heavily on my heart. ‘What about us? … more
RGD wants more clients to use online services
Jamaica – THE Registrar General’s Department (RGD) is working to increase the number of clients accessing its online services from 40 per cent to 60 per cent… more
New ScotiaCard lets you shop local, online
Trinidad and Tobago – Scotiabank has unveiled the new ScotiaCard™ Visa Debit, which now allows customers to shop online at their favourite local businesses… more
Social media fantasy land – Is your child living in it?
Trinidad and Tobago – The globe seems to be entering into the “New Normal” with world and nation-wide shifts. An eruption of positive changes seems to be occurring… more
Wednesday, 17 June 2020
Senate passes digital business bill
Antigua and Barbuda – The digital asset industry will come under greater regulation now that the Upper House has passed the new iteration of the Digital Assets Business Bill 2020, with little debate… more
Contractor’s Part Win Over Bungled Btc Agreement
Bahamas – A bungled contract triggered a dispute that resulted in the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) being ordered by the Supreme Court to compensate an independent contractor for four months of work… more
Govt. to spend up to $16 million on virtual learning, smart schools
Bahamas – The Ministry of Education will spend $3 million in the upcoming fiscal period to place more than 3,000 tablets and in the hands of students and laptop for every teacher, as the ministry prioritizes its “aggressive digitization project”… more
COMMENTARY – Need seen for telecom taskforce
British Virgin islands – In 1983, Tom Crowe reported enthusiastically to the Virgin Islands government on the prospects for computerisation reducing the territory’s dependence on tourism (see my May 28 commentary titled “‘Commuting home’ considered”) as business would be attracted by the VI’s good underwater cable and microwave links with the United States… more
Digital learning has created greater imbalances among students
Cayman Islands – In mid-March the Honourable Julianna O’Connor-Connolly, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, Agriculture and Lands announced the COVID-19 closure of all educational institutions in the Cayman Islands and a transition to online learning… more
Dominica Telecom Market Analysis and Outlook Report 2020
Dominica – The report on Dominica Telecom is a comprehensive collection of all the market related information required for analyzing and understanding the Dominica Telecom market… more
Grenada Telecom Market Analysis and Outlook Report 2020
Grenada – The report on Grenada Telecom is a comprehensive collection of all the market related information required for analyzing and understanding the Grenada Telecom market… more
Guyana Telecom Market Analysis and Outlook Report 2020
Guyana – The report on Guyana Telecom is a comprehensive collection of all the market related information required for analyzing and understanding the Guyana Telecom market… more
Flow extends work from home until end of 2020
Jamaica – FLOW Jamaica is set to continue its work from home protocol for the rest of 2020, as many Jamaicans return to office following the expiration of Government’s work from home order on May 31… more
Jamaica Telecom Market Analysis and Outlook Report 2020
Jamaica – The report on Jamaica Telecom is a comprehensive collection of all the market related information required for analyzing and understanding the Jamaica Telecom market… more
MBJ Airports working on biometric system for Sangster International
Jamaica – Shane Munroe, the chief executive officer (CEO) at MBJ Airports Limited, operator of Sangster International Airport, says consideration is being given to introducing a biometric system among other measures aimed at reducing processing time… more
Update | Golden Tablets!
Jamaica – BEMOANING THE exorbitant sum spent by the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) to acquire laptops and other equipment, Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman Mark Golding questioned whether two Samsung tablets purchased at a price of $436,024 “were made from gold”… more
Caribbean – Telecoms, Mobile, and Broadband – Statistics and Analyses
Regional – Given the relative lack of economic diversity within the Caribbean, the telecoms sector accounts for a higher proportion of GDP in most markets in the region than is common elsewhere… more
Thursday, 18 June 2020
Bahamas Data Protection Act: What you need to know.
Bahamas – Data protection laws provide for the protection of personal privacy as they prohibit the unlawful use or disclosure of personal information… more
Bahamas Telecommunications Strategic Analysis and Outlook to 2025-Analysis of Bahamas Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Bahamas – The report on Bahamas Telecommunications is a comprehensive collection of all the market related information required for analyzing and understanding the Bahamas Telecommunications market… more
Barbados Telecommunications Strategic Analysis and Outlook to 2025-Analysis of Barbados Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Barbados – The report on Barbados Telecommunications is a comprehensive collection of all the market related information required for analyzing and understanding the Barbados Telecommunications market… more
Belize Telecommunications Strategic Analysis and Outlook to 2025-Analysis of Belize Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Belize – The report on Belize Telecommunications is a comprehensive collection of all the market related information required for analyzing and understanding the Belize Telecommunications market… more
Cayman Islands Telecommunications Strategic Analysis and Outlook to 2025-Analysis of Cayman Islands Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Cayman Islands – The report on Cayman Islands Telecommunications is a comprehensive collection of all the market related information required for analyzing and understanding the Cayman Islands Telecommunications market… more
Dominica Telecommunications Strategic Analysis and Outlook to 2025-Analysis of Dominica Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Dominica – The report on Dominica Telecommunications is a comprehensive collection of all the market related information required for analyzing and understanding the Dominica Telecommunications market… more
New E-commerce platform offers a variety in online products and features
Dominica – Access767 has launched SHOP767.NET – its online shopping and e-commerce platform with a variety of products and features… more
Dominican Republic Telecommunications Strategic Analysis and Outlook to 2025-Analysis of Dominican Republic Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Dominican Republic – The report on Dominican Republic Telecommunications is a comprehensive collection of all the market related information required for analyzing and understanding the Dominican Republic Telecommunications market… more
Grenada Telecommunications Strategic Analysis and Outlook to 2025-Analysis of Grenada Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Grenada – The report on Grenada Telecommunications is a comprehensive collection of all the market related information required for analyzing and understanding the Grenada Telecommunications market… more
Haiti Telecommunications Strategic Analysis and Outlook to 2025-Analysis of Haiti Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Haiti – The report on Haiti Telecommunications is a comprehensive collection of all the market related information required for analyzing and understanding the Haiti Telecommunications market… more
Jamaica Telecommunications Strategic Analysis and Outlook to 2025-Analysis of Jamaica Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Jamaica – The report on Jamaica Telecommunications is a comprehensive collection of all the market related information required for analyzing and understanding the Jamaica Telecommunications market… more
Technology Minister Commends National Commercial Bank
Jamaica – Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Fayval Williams, has commended the National Commercial Bank (NCB) for helping to build the innovative capacity of citizens amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, through the recent hackathon, dubbed ‘Hack-celerate’… more
Digicel concludes last significant milestone in process to reduce debt
Regional – Communications and entertainment provider Digicel has announced that Digicel Group One Limited’s (DGL1) Scheme of Arrangement is effective… more
Digicel facing ‘dinau’ issues
Regional – According to financial reports, the global telco company is currently US$7 billion (K23.59billion) in debt… more
TelEm Group official telecom provider for Islandpreneur Live 2020.
Sint Maarten – TelEm Group is teaming up with talented business promoters, Ms. Ife Badejo, for a pioneering three-day virtual summit about online opportunities available for entrepreneurs… more
Friday, 19 June 2020
IT: Bahamas Needs 15-Year Overhaul Completed In Five
Bahamas – The Bahamas and wider Caribbean must complete a 15-year transformation in just five years to catch up with the developed world in information technology (ICT), a local provider is arguing… more
Use e-commerce to push products and services
Barbados – Despite a notable increase in the number of businesses offering products and services online, an outspoken academic is expressing concern about the absence of new internet-driven industries arising from the Coronavirus pandemic… more
BPOs have weathered the COVID-19 storm
Jamaica – The business process outsourcing sector (BPO) is being hailed as the industry which has helped to shore up the flagging fortunes of many in western Jamaica after the coronavirus pandemic downed many business entities… more
JA: TLC, Digicel Foundation donate 100 tablets for vulnerable students
Jamaica – In Jamaica, Transformed Life Church (TLC) in partnership with the Digicel Foundation on Wednesday handed over 100 tablets for 50 students at seven primary schools in Portland and 50 students at a high school in St Mary… more
Local tech company pushes HR digital products
Jamaica – As more businesses across the globe transition to remote working and work-from-home arrangements to stem the spread of COVID-19, local tech company Brainboxx Solutions Limited is urging corporate companies to improve HR systems to not neglect staff during this period… more
Companies waive internet charges for online banking
Regional – CIBC FirstCaribbean’s online banking platforms can now be accessed for free by Flow customers thanks to a partnership between the two regional firms… more
Digicel concludes process to reduce debt, next week is the target date
Regional – Digicel yesterday announced that Digicel Group One Limited’s (DGL1) scheme of arrangement (the Scheme) is effective… more
Saturday, 20 June 2020
BARP goes more online ‘to keep members safe’
Barbados – The Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) is extending its slate of online services to keep its 27,000 members safe from the coronavirus, president Marilyn Rice-Bowen announced on Friday… more
Orange to pay $280 mn to Digicel for anti-competitive practice
Regional – The Paris Appeals court has ordered French telecoms operator Orange to pay rival Digicel nearly 250 million euros ($280 million) in compensation for anti-competitive practices in the French Caribbean… more
Sunday, 21 June 2020
GTT extending Blaze internet coverage along East Bank
Guyana – Telecoms provider Guyana Telephone &Telegraph Company (GTT) has announced that its Blaze internet service has been extended to cover residents of Green Acres Providence, on the East Bank of Demerara… more
Technology key to ensuring continuity of courts’ operations amid COVID-19
Guyana – Committed to ensuring the administration of justice even in a time of crisis, the judiciary’s response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is not an isolated one, but a concerted regional effort aimed at continuity of services… more
TSTT, Digicel clash over number portability
Trinidad and Tobago – DIGICEL has sent rival mobile provider TSTT a strongly worded letter calling on it to desist from refusing to operate number portability or face legal action… more
Image credits: Alpha Stock Images; The Bahamas Weekly; Wikipedia; Wikimedia Commons; Wikipedia; Wikipedia
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