A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 18 April to Sunday 25 April 2021.
Monday, 19 April 2021
Accelerate digital transformation and workforce upskilling, urges top accountant
Bahamas – To meet the challenges that lie ahead, top business executives will need to accelerate digital transformation and workforce upskilling while sharpening productivity, according to a senior accountant… more
Bahamas Tops China in Ranking of Central Bank Digital Currencies
Bahamas – Mainland China is third behind the Bahamas and Cambodia in a ranking of the maturity of central banks’ retail digital currency projects, according to a report from PwC… more
B.T.L. Reduces Staff by 4%
Belize – Twenty-four B.T.L. employees were laid off today in what the company is terming a four percent “workforce reduction… more
The Dominican Republic and Haiti agree to resolve radio interference in the border area
Dominican Republic – The Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (Indodel) and the National Telecommunications Council of the Republic of Haiti (GONADAL) have signed a “Memorandum of Understanding” to resolve the issue of radio frequency and telephone interference. Area… more
Digicel Jamaica kicks off 20th anniversary celebrations
Jamaica – In powerful praise and soul-stirring songs, Digicel Jamaica gave thanks for 20 years of providing the most advanced communication services to Jamaica at a service of thanksgiving held at Fellowship Tabernacle in Kingston on Sunday… more
‘Jamaica is the next best hub for the global services sector’
Jamaica – Country manager at Cable and Wireless, Stephen Price; has lauded the growth of the Global Services Sector (GSS) which continues to strive during the pandemic… more
Usain Bolt Foundation donates 150 laptops
Jamaica – THE Usain Bolt Foundation last Friday handed over 150 Dell laptops to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information for distribution to early childhood institutions (ECI) in rural areas… more
Tech to the rescue
Regional – Digitisation and investment in technology will fuel the Caribbean’s post-pandemic recovery… more
New dates announced as St. Kitts and Nevis marks girls in Information and Communication Technology Week
Saint Kitts and Nevis – St. Kitts and Nevis will highlight the contributions of women in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) field and promote professional development opportunities for young women by hosting a Girls in ICT Week of Activities from April 22 to 29, 2021… more
Tuesday, 20 April 2021
BTC introduces “smart solutions” for business customers
Bahamas – Small business customers account for more than 85 percent of BTC’s business clientele and over the years, the company has adapted its operations to respond efficiently and effectively to this growing niche market. BTC has introduced a number of smart solutions including an exclusive contact center to provide local support just for small and medium business (SMB) customers… more
Dr Nanda Gopaul appointed as PUC Commissioner
Guyana – President Irfaan Ali yesterday appointed Dr Nanda Kishore Gopaul as the fourth commissioner of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC)… more
From access to apps: Digicel celebrates 20 years of service to Jamaica
Jamaica – Today marks 20 years since Digicel broke up Jamaica’s telecoms monopoly, freed up access everyone, and revolutionised the way we communicate. Digicel is marking the occasion by announcing major plans for its customers and communities… more
I can now access Online Learning, says Student at the Montego Bay Community Girls’ Home
Jamaica – The young ladies at the Montego Bay Community Girls Home, often referred to as Melody House, were in high spirits after they each received a tablet to enable them to access virtual learning platforms… more
Pilot For Shared Corporate Services Launched
Jamaica – Ten years after it was first proposed in the Master Rationalisation Plan as a way of improving the operations of Government, the Administration has commenced the introduction of shared corporate services in the public sector with a pilot project… more
CARICOM Girls in ICT partnership holds virtual events for Girls in ICT Day 2021
Regional – Several agencies, as well as regional and international organisations operating in the Caribbean are collaborating to host events to observe Girls in ICT Day this year… more
No Allocation for Tech and E-Books over Laptops baffle Ferdinand
Saint Lucia – Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate, Senator Guibion Ferdinand has posed some pertinent questions to the government of Saint Lucia as teachers and students ushered in a brand new school term on Monday… more
bmobile Encourages Teaching Young Women Self-Empowerment through ICT
Trinidad and Tobago – Several global, regional, and local organizations including, bmobile, joined forces to create a workshop to empower young women in e-commerce… more
Fintech and the securities market
Trinidad and Tobago – AS THE regulator of the securities industry, the Trinidad and Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission (TTSEC) has the responsibility to monitor the industry, understand its potential for development and encourage innovation to foster that development… more
Wednesday, 21 April 2021
Anguilla Telecommunications SWOT Analysis 2021: Anguilla Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Anguilla – This comprehensive research- documentary on Anguilla Telecommunications market is a holistic perspective of market developments, factors, dynamics, trends and challenges that decide growth trajectory of market prognosis… more
Antigua and Barbuda Telecommunications SWOT Analysis 2021: Antigua and Barbuda Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Antigua and Barbuda – This comprehensive research- documentary on Antigua and Barbuda Telecommunications market is a holistic perspective of market developments, factors, dynamics, trends and challenges that decide growth trajectory of market prognosis… more
Bahamas Telecommunications SWOT Analysis 2021: Bahamas Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Bahamas – This comprehensive research- documentary on Bahamas Telecommunications market is a holistic perspective of market developments, factors, dynamics, trends and challenges that decide growth trajectory of market prognosis… more
Govt aims to put 200 services online in five years
Bahamas – The goal of the government is to provide 200 services online in five years as it continues its digitization initiative, according to Minister of State for Finance and the Office of the Prime Minister on Grand Bahama Senator Kwasi Thompson… more
Barbados Telecommunications SWOT Analysis 2021: Barbados Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Barbados – This comprehensive research- documentary on Barbados Telecommunications market is a holistic perspective of market developments, factors, dynamics, trends and challenges that decide growth trajectory of market prognosis… more
Cayman Islands Telecommunications SWOT Analysis 2021: Cayman Islands Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Cayman Islands – This comprehensive research- documentary on Cayman Islands Telecommunications market is a holistic perspective of market developments, factors, dynamics, trends and challenges that decide growth trajectory of market prognosis… more
Logic launches Wireless Broadband internet in the Eastern Districts
Cayman Islands – Logic announced today that it has launched a new fixed wireless home internet service in the Eastern Districts of Grand Cayman bringing broadband internet speeds to this underserved area… more
Dominica Telecommunications SWOT Analysis 2021: Dominica Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Dominica – This comprehensive research- documentary on Dominica Telecommunications market is a holistic perspective of market developments, factors, dynamics, trends and challenges that decide growth trajectory of market prognosis… more
ITU consultation on National Emergency Telecommunications Plan for Dominica
Dominica – A two-day virtual national consultation on the establishment of Dominica’s National Emergency Telecommunications Plan will be held today, Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd April 2021 from 9:00am – 12:45pm daily… more
Dominican Republic Telecommunications SWOT Analysis 2021: Dominican Republic Mobile, Fixed Telephone and Broadband Markets
Dominican Republic – This comprehensive research- documentary on Dominican Republic Telecommunications market is a holistic perspective of market developments, factors, dynamics, trends and challenges that decide growth trajectory of market prognosis… more
CDC uses social media platforms for disaster relief
Guyana – The Civil Defence Commission has been playing an important role in assisting neighbouring countries to receive supplies after disaster events… more
Digital divide: income inequality
Jamaica – Have you noticed the surge in need for technology professionals? … more
Digital dollar could benefit all interests
Jamaica – In the final article of this series, I take a “non-financial analyst” look at the effect that a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) will have on commercial banking, payment services and customers… more
Mailpac launches prepaid ePay Mastercard
Jamaica – Mailpac Group has launched its own online shopping prepaid card in partnership with ePayment Group… more
OUR invites comments on proposals to improve access in telecoms for Persons with Disabilities
Jamaica – The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) has issued a Consultation Document, inviting comments on proposals to improve access and choice in the telecommunications sector for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)… more
St Lucian women launch Allez to utilize technology in transportation
Saint Lucia – Allez, St Lucia’s premier rideshare company officially launched on Sunday, April 11, 2021… more
AR and VR Partnership Sets Trinidad on Road to Economic Diversification
Trinidad and Tobago – In March 2021, Eon Reality, a California-based augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) leading company, announced a partnership with the University of West Indies (UWI) Open Campus in Trinidad and Tobago… more
Internet providers call for legislation: Students exposed to inappropriate content
Trinidad and Tobago – With more access to internet connectivity, students are exposed, now more than ever, to inappropriate online material including pornography, violence and cybercrimes… more
Rituals group rebrands, goes digital
Trinidad and Tobago – AS online platforms continue to evolve for businesses, amid the Covid-19 crisis, Global Brands is taking full advantage of the technology and will be launching its platform next month… more
T&T’s broadband penetration high’
Trinidad and Tobago – ONLY A small percentage of homes in Trinidad and Tobago are without Internet access or mobile coverage and T&T is far ahead of other territories in this regard… more
TSTT refutes CWU claims of COVID-19 cases
Trinidad and Tobago – TSTT (Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago) is refuting claims by the Communication Workers Union (CWU), that there is a positive COVID-19 case at one of the company’s offices—the office at Jerningham Avenue, Port of Spain… more
Thursday, 22 April 2021
Data Protection legislation has arrived in the BVI
British Virgin Islands – The British Virgin Islands has enacted new personal data protection legislation in the form of the Data Protection Act, 2021 (the DPA). Although enacted, the date on which the DPA will come into force is yet to be announced, but this is expected imminently… more
GTT to sponsor Innovation Prize Guyana
Guyana – Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) the largest provider of telecommunication services in Guyana, and the Guyana Economic Development Trust (GEDT) a US/Guyana-based philanthropic initiative that supports science and technology startups, announced the exclusive collaboration on their signature program, the Guyana Innovation Prize… more
Cybercrime committee extends deadline for submissions
Jamaica – THE joint select committee (JSC) of Parliament reviewing the Cybercrimes Act, 2015, has extended the deadline for submissions by two weeks due a slow response… more
Cable & Wireless Communications Calls for More Girls in ICT.
Regional – Cable & Wireless Communications (C&W), the parent company of Flow, UTS, and BTC, in the Caribbean, is calling for more girls to pursue studies in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as the company observes International Girls in ICT Day today… more
First steps to a regional Central Bank digital currency
Regional – On March 31, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) launched a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) system for the eight member states of the EC… more
Q&A with Shiva Bissessar on the ECCB’s DCash
Regional – Shiva Bissessar, who served as a consultant on the creation of the ECCB’s Central Bank Digital Currency launched on May 31, 2021 agreed to answer questions about the project… more
Itelbpo/ISL to Create 350 Jobs
Saint Lucia –ABOUT 350 Saint Lucians may very well find jobs in a partnership between Invest Saint Lucia (ISL) and intelbpo according to both parties… more
Telecommunications services on SXM hit for second straight day.
Sint Maarten – Telecommunications services on St. Maarten were hit for the second day in a row Thursday – this time due to a damaged SCCS undersea cable in St. Eustatius… more
95 per cent connectivity in TT
Trinidad and Tobago – Despite complaints of no internet connectivity in far-flung areas of the islands, T&T’s main internet service providers say broadband coverage has been achieved for 95 per cent of the population… more
Digicel Foundation delivers devices to Matura students
Trinidad and Tobago – Students and their parents from the rural community of Matura are today thankful to a Digicel staff member who volunteers with the Matura Open Bible Church… more
Indarsingh: Pupils left behind by online learning
Trinidad and Tobago – COUVA South MP Rudranath Indarsingh bitterly complained that after a year of the covid19 pandemic some pupils have been left behind by their inability to access online learning due to a lack of electronic devices and/or internet connectivity… more
President: Get girls into ICT
Trinidad and Tobago – PRESIDENT Paula-Mae Weekes said if more girls get into ICT they will benefit and so will this field, in her message to mark International Girls in ICT Day, April 22… more
Telecoms companies trying to protect children from adult content
Trinidad and Tobago – Efforts are being made by the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) and internet service providers alike to ensure that children aren’t exposed to inappropriate content while online… more
Friday, 23 April 2021
Communications company calls for more girls in ICT
Antigua and Barbuda – Cable & Wireless Communications (C&W), parent company of Flow and BTC, in the Caribbean, is calling for more girls to pursue studies in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as the company observed International Girls in ICT Day yesterday… more
C&W calls for female interest in ICT
Barbados – Cable & Wireless Communications (C&W), the parent company of Flow and BTC, in the Caribbean, is calling for more girls to pursue studies in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) as the company observes International Girls in ICT Day today… more
FTC to review Flow’s standards of service
Barbados – The Fair Trading Commission (FTC) is seeking public input on its review of the Standards of Service 2018-2020 for Cable & Wireless (Barbados) Ltd (C&W, trading as Flow)… more
UNICEF, FLOW ink deal to continue emergency communication work
Barbados – The United Nations children’s organisation has agreed to continue partnering with a leading telecoms firm to strengthen communication links should natural disasters strike in the Eastern Caribbean… more
Court filing in Belize to go digital
Belize – The launch will represent a partnership between the Government of Belize and APEX to provide a solution that will improve the quality and efficiency of the provision of legal services in Belize… more
Haiti Telecommunications Industry Market SWOT Analysis 2021
Haiti – This comprehensive research- documentary on Haiti Telecommunications market is a holistic perspective of market developments, factors, dynamics, trends and challenges that decide growth trajectory of market prognosis… more
Digicel Jamaica at Twenty: Here are 20 facts to celebrate
Jamaica – Since Digicel opened its doors to conduct business on Jamaican shores in 2001, the country has benefitted from a number of groundbreaking initiatives on the social and economic front… more
WiPay Jamaica to provide 1,000 free websites to MSMEs
Jamaica – Fintech company WiPay Jamaica will be providing 1,000 micro, small and medium-size enterprises (MSMEs) with a free e-commerce website and free hosting on May 16… more
Digicel donates 30 smartphones to CDEMA’s SVG relief efforts
Regional – Digicel is acting on its commitment to support St Vincent and the Grenadines as it works through the challenges presented by the eruption of the La Soufriere volcano… more
Prime Minister Harris highlights St. Kitts and Nevis’ successes at Collision 2021 – a global tech conference
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris continues to draw the world’s attention to St. Kitts and Nevis’ stellar management of the COVID-19 pandemic and his Government’s plans to return the country to a strong economic standing post-COVID-19… more
6000 tablets received for primary school students
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – The Ministry of Education received 6000 tablets this week to distribute to students, even as the education system faces disruption due to the ongoing eruption at La Soufriere… more
Saturday, 24 April 2021
Digicel’s simple plan, still paying dividends
Jamaica – A simple plan, pegged to more than $200 million worth of investment in infrastructure, human resources, goods and services over the past 20 years, is the success formula behind telecommunications giant Digicel… more
Sunday, 25 April 2021
Hold us to our five promises – Digicel CEO
Jamaica – In celebration of its 20th anniversary in the country, Digicel Jamaica has made five promises to customers which it says is a slate of expectations every customer should have when they interact with the company… more
ECTEL Empowers Girls to Get Connected with ICT
Regional – As the regulating body for electronic communications in the Eastern Caribbean, the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) is calling all girls to participate in an interactive virtual tech talk from 9am to 10:30am (Saint Lucia time) on Friday, April 30 for International Girls in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Day that was observed under the theme ‘Connected girls, creating brighter futures’… more
Image credits: NS Newsflash (flickr); Belize Web; The Eleutheran; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Guyana Chronicle; Campaign; Wikipedia;
