A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 22 June to Sunday 28 June 2020.
Monday, 22 June 2020
BTC: URCA ‘Broke Law’ On Internet Regulations
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) is accusing regulators of breaching the industry’s governing law in proposing new regulations to prevent “anti-competitive behaviour” in the broadband internet market… more
Hackers Strike At Govt System: Russians And Bulgarians Behind Cyber Raid On Key Banking And Personal Data
Bahamas – The Government is “betwixt and between” over the Registrar General’s Department’s cyber security woes after being forced to again shut down its online database following fresh hacking attempts… more
Minister Dames Highlights the Crime-Fighting Use of Technology
Bahamas – During his Contribution to the 2020/2021 Budget Debate in the House of Assembly, on June 17, 2020, Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin Dames noted that, globally, measuring law enforcement outcomes had become extremely important to the success of promulgation, planning and the execution of strategies… more
No Third Mobile Firm Before 2022
Bahamas – The government will make no decision on whether to licence a third mobile operator until 2022 at the earliest, its newly-released electronic communications sector policy has revealed… more
OfReg: Audit highlights inconsistent leadership, limited governance and oversight
Cayman Islands – Utility regulator OfReg’s first three years in operation have been plagued by a lack of strategic planning, little oversight and inconsistent leadership, according to a performance audit released by the Office of the Auditor General on Monday… more
Future Of Dominica Telecommunications Market 2020 – Trends, Outlook and Growth Opportunities of Mobile, Fixed Landline and Broadband Markets
Dominica – The future value proposition for telecommunications market in Dominica to 2025 is detailed in the report. It also provides imperatives for gaining market share in highly competitive telecom industry. It provides unmatched depth and breadth into drivers, challenges, tariffs, competition, subscriber behaviour, infrastructure, regulatory support and others… more
Caribbean telecom sector revenue affected by COVID-19
Regional – Just released, this edition of Paul Budde Communication’s focus report on the Caribbean outlines the major developments and key aspects in the telecoms markets… more
St. Lucia Telecommunications Strategic Analysis and Outlook to 2025-Analysis of St. Lucia Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Saint Lucia – The report on St. Lucia Telecommunications is a comprehensive collection of all the market related information required for analyzing and understanding the St. Lucia Telecommunications market… more
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Telecommunications Strategic Analysis and Outlook to 2025-Analysis of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – The report on St. Vincent and the Grenadines Telecommunications is a comprehensive collection of all the market related information required for analyzing and understanding the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Telecommunications market… more
Tuesday, 23 June 2020
Future Of Antigua and Barbuda Telecommunications Market-Trends, Outlook and Growth Opportunities of Mobile, Fixed Landline and Broadband Markets
Antigua and Barbuda – The Antigua & Barbuda Telecommunications Market report – 8th series provides a complete view of the Antigua & Barbuda telecom ecosystem along with trends and growth factors shaping the future of the market… more
Bahamas ‘Obvious Target’ For Hackers
Bahamas – Attorneys yesterday warned the latest Registrar General’s Department hack shows the government “cannot get away” with any IT system deficiencies, adding: “We’re an obvious target… more
Companies Urged To Focus On IT System Weaknesses
Bahamas – A cyber security specialist yesterday urged Bahamian businesses and government agencies to identify “extremely sought after” soft targets in their IT systems following the attacks on the Registrar General’s Department… more
Cisco donates free Wi-Fi access at 10 community sites
Cayman Islands – Residents will be able to enjoy free Wi-Fi access at 10 locations across the Cayman Islands, following an announcement by Joey Hew, the minister responsible for infrastructure… more
OfReg costs more, fails to protect consumers
Cayman Islands – Three years after the creation of OfReg, auditors have taken a close look at the beleaguered utilities regulator and found that it has cost more than its predecessors but has failed to address its fundamental purpose of consumer protection… more
GTT says sharing tech tools, tips to help businesses navigate pandemic
Guyana – GTT yesterday said that it has hosted a series of virtual conversations with the general public and private sector organizations with the aim of outfitting participants with technology-driven options to survive and thrive during this pandemic… more
Future Of Jamaica Telecommunications Market-Trends, Outlook and Growth Opportunities of Mobile, Fixed Landline and Broadband Markets
Jamaica – The Jamaica Telecommunications Market report – 8th series provides a complete view of the Jamaica telecom ecosystem along with trends and growth factors shaping the future of the market… more
2000 tablets arriving in SVG to help with Online learning
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Two thousand digital tablets are expected to arrive here today, adding to the 1000 already on island… more
World Bank approves financing of US$30 million towards SVG’s development of a Digital Economy
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved on June 22, 2020, financing of US$30 million for St Vincent and the Grenadines as part of a regional US$94 million Caribbean Digital Transformation Project for four Eastern Caribbean countries… more
Wednesday, 24 June 2020
PwC: IT Spending ‘Paying Dividends’
Bahamas – A Bahamian accounting firm yesterday said its technology investments are “paying dividends” by upholding productivity throughout COVID-19 even though just ten percent of staff have currently returned to the office… more
Tourism exploring digitized immigration cards to improve market intelligence
Bahamas – The Ministry of Tourism and Aviation is exploring the digitization of the immigration cards filled out by foreign visitors when they travel to The Bahamas, as a means of digitizing the business of tourism… more
A Digital Summer with the Belize Camping Experience
Belize – The Belize Camping Experience is turning to the digital platform to keep the anticipated camping experience going… more
B.T.L. Taking C.B.C. to Court for Alleged $200,000 Debt
Belize – There are new legal woes tonight for the Channel Broadcasting Cable. Last month, in the U.S. courts, C.B.C. was sued by Dish Network for piracy using Internet Protocol Television streaming services… more
Cayman youth connect for mental health
Cayman Islands – Cayman’s teens are reinforcing their support networks and taking advantage of video conferencing technology to stay connected with peers… more
Digicel Completes Asset Transfer
Regional – Pursuant to the indenture governing the 8.0% Subordinated Notes due 2026 (the “DIFL Subordinated Notes”) issued on May 22, 2020 by Digicel Holdings (Bermuda) Limited (“Holdings”) and Digicel International Finance Limited (“DIFL”), Holdings has transferred all of its assets to Digicel Intermediate Holdings Limited (“DIHL”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings… more
Invest in cybersecurity to survive
Trinidad and Tobago – THE IMPLICATIONS of covid19 for average people have been all too evident in the social, personal and professional spheres, forcing them to become not only more efficient but also more proactive in terms of protecting their interests… more
Thursday, 25 June 2020
Antigua & Barbuda passes Digital Assets Business Bill 2020 into law
Antigua and Barbuda – Antigua and Barbuda has entered a new era for digital asset businesses, after its pioneering Digital Assets Business Bill 2020 came into law earlier this month… more
BTC, Cable Fees ‘150 Times’ More’ Than US Access
Bahamas – A niche provider says wholesale direct Internet access (DIA) rates charged by The Bahamas’ two telecommunications giants are “in excess of 150 times” greater than comparable US prices and squeezing out competition… more
Defence ‘Layers’ Key Over Cyber Security
Bahamas – An information technology (IT) specialist yesterday said the Government must upgrade its systems in “layers” to prevent a repeat of recent hacks at the Registrar General’s Office… more
Government approves cyber incident response team
Bahamas – The government has approved a project with the United Nations Technology Arm- the International Telecommunications Union- that will end in a cybersecurity strategy as well as the creation of a National Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT) Minister of State for Grand Bahama Senator Kwasi Thompson said yesterday… more
Kevin Smith resigning as Digicel’s CEO
British Virgin Islands – Months after stepping into the role, Kevin Smith is resigning as Chief Executive Officer of Digicel BVI… more
Educators have to get comfortable with virtual learning technology
Guyana – Dear Editor, Prior to the pandemic, I created WhatsApp groups just to connect with friends and family, Google Classroom was merely a concept and ‘Zoom’ meant an American educational TV series I enjoyed watching as a child (I’m a 90s kid). Now, these forms of communication (amongst other online platforms) serve as lifelines for me to engage my students who would have otherwise been left to their own devices (no pun intended)… more
TVET classes online, learning packages also available
Guyana – The Ministry of Education’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) department has been reviewing their teaching methods to ensure they can continue to reach their students during the COVID-19 pandemic and after… more
Can chairman of FTC still chair the OUR?
Jamaica – Dear Editor, The appointment of statutory and other government boards in general, and the chairmanship of these entities in particular, by the Andrew Holness-led Administration become more curious with each appointment… more
How C&W and Flow met the covid19 challenge
Regional – “There is no question that this pandemic is going to change us,” said Garfield Sinclair, CEO of Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), a subsidiary of C&W… more
2019 Future Of St. Kitts and Nevis Telecommunications Market- Trends, Outlook and Growth Opportunities of Mobile, Fixed Landline and Broadband Markets
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The St. Kitts and Nevis Telecommunications report – 8th series from OGAnalysis provides a complete view of the St. Kitts and Nevis telecom ecosystem along with trends and growth factors shaping the future of the market… more
bmobile offers customers massive increase in free data
Trinidad and Tobago – bmobile has announced an upgrade for its customers and has invited mobile phone owners who are not part of its network to try it for thirty days for free… more
Invest in cybersecurity to survive
Trinidad and Tobago – THE IMPLICATIONS of covid19 for average people have been all too evident in the social, personal and professional spheres, forcing them to become not only more efficient but also more proactive in terms of protecting their interests… more
Friday, 26 June 2020
Classes to mix online, in-person time
British Virgin Islands – At the start of the new school year, students likely will resume their education with a curriculum that combines in-person teaching with online activities under a shift system designed to facilitate social distancing, according to Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture Minister Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley… more
Carlo Redwood leaving Flow
Jamaica – CARLO Redwood, marketing director at communications and entertainment provider, Flow, is set to depart the organisation on June 30, the company announced in a press release yesterday… more
Digital ‘hackers’ pitch practical solutions to COVID-19 crisis
Jamaica – To assist in combating the threats of doing business during and after the COVID-19 crisis, National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited (NCB) recently invited some of Jamaica’s brightest young technocrats to design and pitch practical and innovative digital solutions for a $500,000 top prize… more
OUR mandates telecoms to give customers clearer information about service offerings
Jamaica – The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) says telecommunications providers, Digicel and Flow, must provide their customers with clearer information about their offerings and packages… more
Robinson says poor telecoms services due to more than vandalism
Jamaica – JAMAICA’S telecommunications service came in for a tongue lashing from Opposition spokesman on science and technology Julian Robinson, in the House of Representatives on Tuesday… more
Technology Entities Donate Tablets For Children Of Sanitation Workers
Jamaica – Twenty new Geo-X tablet computers have been handed over to the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) for the children of sanitation workers, to aid in their access to online learning while schools remain closed… more
Aileen Corrigan recognised for leadership in driving digital future
Regional – Chief Digital Officer for the Digicel Group, Aileen Corrigan has been named among an elite group of executives who have been leading business transformation efforts around the globe… more
COVID-19 found Caribbean IT infrastructure seriously wanting
Regional – Communication technology infrastructure and services that inhibit the ability of the Caribbean to make adjustments to the manner in which business and educational pursuits are undertaken in the current COVID-19 environment continues to be a much-discussed issue across the region… more
Cyber security
Regional – In the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks and threats, it is critical to assess the maturity of your organisation’s security capabilities to ensure that the most effective control-measures are implemented… more
Islandpreneur Live 2020 ends with Virtual Happy Hour on June 26
Sint Maarten – More than 600 people have registered from all over the world to attend Islandpreneur Live 2020, a virtual summit aimed to empower Caribbean entrepreneurs to thrive in the digital world and be more resilient… more
Kamla: My vision is to build an intelligent nation
Trinidad and Tobago – Good evening and thank you for joining us once again as we continue to set the trend in holding online virtual meetings to keep in contact with you, the people of Trinidad and Tobago… more
Saturday, 27 June 2020
Gov’t implements e-signature infrastructure
Jamaica – The Government has commenced implementation of the National Public Key Infrastructure (NPKI) project, which will enable individuals and entities to utilise e-signatures to transact business digitally with all State agencies in a safe environment… more
RGD To Introduce Online Birth Certificate Application Services
Jamaica – Jamaicans locally and overseas will soon be able to apply online to the Registrar General’s Department (RGD) for birth certificates… more
Telecoms Concerned Over Policing Of Phone Bills
Jamaica – Jamaican telecommunications companies Digicel and FLOW continue to voice concerns that some new directives by the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) to mitigate against shock bills and credit depletion could negatively affect their financials… more
Making #DigitalCaribbean a Reality
Regional – Digital technologies – the internet and other tools to collect and share information digitally – are spreading rapidly. The share of world population using the internet more than doubled to around 50 percent in 2017, from 20 percent in 2007… more
Digicel announces final plan for debt reduction
Trinidad and Tobago – Digicel, a leading communications and entertainment provider with a standout brand, exceptional people and strong market positions across 32 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific today announces that Digicel Group One Limited’s (“DGL1”) scheme of arrangement (the “Scheme”) is effective… more
Guardian of the cyber front line
Trinidad and Tobago – “Control the device, don’t let the device control you.” So says Daren Dhoray, webmaster at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), St Augustine… more
How T&T can learn from Estonia’s digital transformation
Trinidad and Tobago – The population size of T&T and Estonia (1.3 million) is approximately the same, but the two countries differ when it comes to the ease of doing business—with T&T being ranked 105th and Estonia at 18th… 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
Sunday, 28 June 2020
Cellphone store looted by gunmen
Guyana – A cell phone store located at Mon Repos East Coast Demerara (ECD) was looted on Friday last by a pair of armed bandits… more
UG students adapting to online learning despite mixed experiences
Guyana – Several University of Guyana (UG) students have given mixed reviews on the transition from in classroom learning to virtual learning, which has become the new norm due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic… more
Telemedicine transforms doctor-patient consultation at Heart Institute
Jamaica – Patients at the Heart Institute of the Caribbean (HIC) have been getting used to the practice of consulting with their doctors online… more
Image credits: carterse (flickr); Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Facebook; Wikimedia Commons; Brands of the World
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