A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 17 May to Sunday 23 May 2021.
Monday, 17 May 2021
BUSINESS MONDAY: FIRSTCARIBBEAN SEES RISE IN ONLINE BANKING
Barbados – LESS clients are using the over-the-counter services of FirstCaribbean International Bank (FCIB)… more
TRC launches annual video competition
British Virgin Islands – The BVI Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) launches its annual video competition today, May 17, for residents to participate and vie for cash prizes… more
Updated Processing System To Streamline Customs Declarations
British Virgin Islands – The Customs Department will be transitioning to a modernised and improved version of the Customs Automated Processing System (CAPS) beginning May 25… more
Facebook most popular social media used in Cayman
Cayman Islands – Facebook was the most popular social media site used in the Cayman Islands in the past year… more
Recognizing Weaknesses, DR Pursues Vast Internet Upgrades
Dominican Republic – Digital infrastructure has been pushed into the limelight by the pandemic and is the undisputed priority of businesses and governments today… more
Amber connects to 8 more countries with vehicle telematics solution
Jamaica – Amber Connect, the vehicle telematics and security solution developed by Jamaican technology conglomerate Amber Group, has expanded its reach to a total of 30 countries around the world… more
Jamaica on right path to digital transformation
Jamaica – KEY players in the local telecoms and e-commerce industries believe Jamaica is on the right path to digital transformation… more
Jamaica set for 700MHz player following successful tender
Jamaica – Jamaica’s Spectrum Management Authority (SMA) has reportedly received multiple offers in its recent 700MHz spectrum tender, and is in the process of deciding a winner… more
Telecomms Authority warns against illegal streaming devices
Trinidad and Tobago – The Telecommunications Authority of TT (TATT) is warning importers, retailers, and the public against the manufacture, importation, sale, distribution, and advertising of illegal streaming devices… more
Warning on streaming devices
Trinidad and Tobago – PEOPLE who import and sell illegal streaming devices, such as media boxes and USB sticks, can face a fine of $250,000 and ten years imprisonment under the Copyright Act of Trinidad and Tobago… more
Tuesday, 18 May 2021
BTC fiber customers get complimentary major speed increase
Bahamas – BTC’s fiber to the home (FTTH) customers are benefitting from a major speed increase to their existing fiber services at no additional cost with faster-than-ever broadband speeds, the company said in a statement yesterday… more
MacKenzie: Pipeline hack highlights need to safeguard against cyber attacks
Bahamas – The recent hack of the Colonial Pipeline along the United States’ East Coast highlights the need for The Bahamas and companies domiciled locally to safeguard themselves from rising cyber security threats, Chief Executive Officer of Cloud Carib Scott MacKenzie said yesterday… more
Telecoms standards to be addressed
Barbados – The Fair Trading Commission (FTC) and the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Smart Technology (MIST) have joined forces as the latter seeks to implement a quality of service framework to address the “less than desirable” quality of service provision in the telecommunications sector… more
Universal Service Fund supports ICT access in the Kalinago territory
Dominica – The National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) continues in its pursuit to improve access to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Dominica with focus on the rural areas… more
BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW
Caribbean – Many of us sit at our desks all day drumming away on computer keyboards, busy going through the menus and clicking at selections…. more
Cable & Wireless Communications Stages Competition to Encourage More Girls in ICT
Caribbean – Cable & Wireless Communications (C&W), parent company of Flow and BTC, in the Caribbean, has launched a video essay competition for female students, aged 12 – 15 years old, across the region… more
DIGICEL hosts global customer day
Caribbean – In an industry-first, all 7,000 employees worldwide worked in pairs to serve customers directly… more
Computer-generated birth certificates to be distributed from today
Guyana – The General Register Office (GRO) yesterday said that from today, it will begin the distribution of computer-generated certified copies of Birth, Deaths and Marriages which are registered in Guyana… more
ICT Upgrading At Abilities Foundation
Jamaica – The Abilities Foundation has benefited from information and communications technology (ICT) upgrading through support from the Universal Service Fund (USF)… more
Confusion Ensues as Trinidad & Tobago Threatens Users of ‘Illegal’ Streaming Devices
Trinidad and Tobago – The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has sent a stark warning to those who sell and use illegal streaming devices. Importing and marketing these piracy tools can lead to a $250,000 fine and a ten-year prison sentence… more
Digicel celebrates World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
Trinidad and Tobago – Digicel Trinidad and Tobago is committed to helping to bridge the technological divide and creating a more connected future for all… more
Wednesday, 19 May 2021
APUA’s bid to strike out ex-workers’ pensions case to come before court next month
Antigua and Barbuda – The first court hearing emanating from legal action launched by dozens of former APUA employees who could collectively be owed millions in unpaid pensions will take place in a fortnight… more
Tech Beach Retreat wants to help businesses adapt to digital world
Caribbean – For many small businesses and large companies, the covid19 pandemic has been a technological and financial nightmare, with some regional organisations finding themselves unprepared for the digital world and having to scramble to adjust operations to stay relevant… more
Brokers spending big on technology
Jamaica – With the novel coronavirus pandemic accelerating the need for customers to remain socially distant while getting the most done for transactions, many financial institutions and brokers have increased their technology spend for the growing volume of customers going online… more
Cybercrimes Act revisited: The balancing act
Jamaica – Jamaica’s Cybercrimes Act of 2010, 2015, and now 2021 is undergoing review and amendment as the need increases for integrating laws concerning cybercrimes… more
Early Warning Cybersecurity System Implemented
Jamaica – The Organization of American States (OAS) has partnered with the Government to implement an early warning system that will assist in safeguarding Jamaica’s cyber infrastructure, through the use of security information and event management to ensure timely intrusion detection… more
Hire a social media manager
Jamaica – Managing social media platforms, staying abreast of the latest changes and trends is a full-time job… more
iCreate reports profit amid pandemic
Jamaica – Creative training institute iCreate Limited is reporting an unaudited net profit of $1.9 million for the six-month period ending March 31, 2021, a 53.6 per cent increase over the previous corresponding period… more
ICT facilities at Abilities Foundation upgraded
Jamaica – THE Abilities Foundation has benefited from information and communications technology (ICT) upgrade through support from the Universal Service Fund (USF)… more
Jamaica to benefit from NIDS, digital currency – Price
Jamaica – The implementation of the National Identification System (NIDS) and a digital currency for Jamaica offers many benefits to improving the current business and credit climates, Flow Jamaica’s Country Manager Stephen Price has suggested… more
USF To Fund Build Out Of GovNet Infrastructure
Jamaica – The Universal Service Fund (USF) will be providing funding support for the expansion of the GovNet infrastructure that will link government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to facilitate shared services… more
Vaz reveals third telecoms provider
Jamaica – Minister of Science, Energy and Technology Daryl Vaz yesterday announced that a Jamaican-owned company, Rock Mobile, will be the country’s third telecoms provider… more
VIRTUAL DATING
Jamaica – The novel coronavirus pandemic has upended dating and relationships, like many other aspects of our lives. Social distancing guidelines and lockdowns have notably disrupted an already tricky dating scene… more
Digicel calls for collaboration to increase nationwide coverage
Trinidad and Tobago – “A great sense of gratitude and accomplishment,” that was the sentiment of Digicel CEO, Abraham Smith, as he thanked employees and industry stakeholders on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2021… more
Technology to protect the Buccoo Reef
Trinidad and Tobago – Within the recent year, the covid19 pandemic causing government-imposed restrictions, has led to the third closure of the Buccoo Reef Marine Park in Tobago… more
Thursday, 20 May 2021
BAMSI and Cyber Tech Partner
Bahamas – Almost 20 staff members of the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) in New Providence and Andros, recently received certificates of completion from CyberTech Community College, an initiative that was promoted and sponsored by BAMSI… more
BTC on pace to hit half-year revenue goals despite slow economy
Bahamas – Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Andre Foster said yesterday that the company had a good first quarter this year, but was “slightly behind” revenue objectives, which he owed to the slow return of economic activity in the country… more
PwC helps Bahamas govt position itself as digital leader in the Caribbean
Bahamas – Digital transformation continues to be PwC’s core focus to help organizations adopt the technology needed to work smarter and more efficiently to better serve customers… more
Tablets Give the Gift of Voice to Stella Maris Students
Belize – Several more children from Stella Maris School were given the gift of language – or the ability to communicate that language – when they received electronic devices with a special app. News Five was at today’s happy handing over… more
Fraudulent online lenders are active on Bonaire
Bonaire – Recently, there have been several signs of fraudulent practices by online lenders operating under the names “Pacific Finance” and “Global Investors”… more
Power Outages and Spotty Internet Raise New Questions About WFH Model
Caribbean – When the pandemic arrived to the region’s shores, the overnight adaption that BPOs forced to make underlined the reality of power and internet infrastructure for millions in Latin America: it is badly lacking… more
Broadband Initiative To Be Designated National Development Project
Jamaica – Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Daryl Vaz, says he is seeking to have the National Broadband Initiative designated as a national development project to be funded by the Government… more
Jamaica now has early warning cybersecurity system
Jamaica – THE Organization of American States (OAS) has partnered with the Government to implement an early warning system that will assist in safeguarding Jamaica’s cyber infrastructure, through the use of security information and event management to ensure timely intrusion detection… more
More Jamaicans Benefiting From Internet At CAPs
Jamaica – More Jamaicans are benefiting from Internet access this year, following the Government’s establishment of five new Community Access Points (CAPs) across the island… more
Rock Mobile to be Jamaica’s third telco provider
Jamaica – Local firm Rock Mobile will be Jamaica’s third telecoms provider, according to science, energy and technology minister Daryl Vaz… more
Thousands yet to cash $20,000 laptop-tablet vouchers
Jamaica – Just over half of the vouchers the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information had issued to help with the purchase of tablets and laptops have been redeemed… more
WiPay brings 1200 shops online, awaits Guinness confirmation
Jamaica – Aldwyn Wayne confirmed this morning that WiPay Jamaica, which hosted a Project 1000 competition to get a thousand ecommerce websites online in an hour last Sunday, had surpassed its goal with a successful tally of 1,200 websites… more
No internet in Brasso Seco, students being left behind
Trinidad and Tobago – There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic is making learning more challenging for children… more
RHAs: Cellphone prohibition at COVID facilities false
Trinidad and Tobago – A rumour that hospitalised COVID-19 patients were prohibited from using their cellphones has been rubbished by four of the country’s Regional Health Authorities (RHAs)… more
TATT chases IP phantoms
Trinidad and Tobago – The Telecommunications Authority (TATT) decided to start this week with some excitement, issuing a press release last Friday at 4 pm that threatened legal action, to the tune of fines of $250,000 and ten years’ imprisonment for anyone found selling Android boxes set up to stream illegally obtained content… more
Friday, 21 May 2021
BTC Targets 60% Internet ‘Migration’
Bahamas – The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) is aiming to switch 60 percent of Internet customers to its new network technology by 2023 as it seeks to “reclaim the market leader mantle”… more
Consultant urges a greater emphasis on leaving paper trail behind
Barbados – A financial consultant believes that Barbados’ approach to doing business is about 20 years behind where it should be… more
DIGITAL LITERACY PROGRAMME TO HELP THE ELDERLY
Barbados – The Digital Literacy Programme of the National Library Service touched down on Wednesday in Six Roads, St Philip as three eager participants started their classes in Digital Literacy at the Six Roads Library Branch… more
Regional Radio Operators Get Ready For 2021 Hurricane Season
Caribbean – Forty (40) Ham Radio Operators from the East Caribbean were involved in a readiness drill for the 2021 hurricane season which is projected to produce at least twenty (20) named storms, five (5) of which are expected to achieve Category 5 status… more
Urgent need to strengthen internet infrastructure in the Caribbean
Caribbean – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the Caribbean, a regional group of computer experts is calling for more to be done to keep critical systems secure, resilient and accessible in the face of mounting threats… more
Minister responsible for telecommunications highlights role of telecommunications and ICTs in socioeconomic development
Dominica – Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Telecommunications and Broadcasting, Senator Oscar George, said the impact of Covid-19 has highlighted the critical role that telecommunications and information and communication technologies (ICTs) continue to play in the socioeconomic development of nations… more
196 schools to get Internet in September term
Jamaica – The connection of 196 public schools to the existing islandwide broadband network to enable access to high-speed Internet is expected to be completed in the new school term, which starts in September… more
150,000 Students To Have Devices By End Of School Year
Jamaica – Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Fayval Williams, says that almost 150,000 technology devices will be in the hands of needy students islandwide, through various programmes and initiatives, by the end of the 2021/22 school year… more
Jamalco hands out 100 tablets in Manchester, Clarendon
Jamaica – JAMALCO has spent $2 million to procure 100 Samsung computer tablets for students attending schools in its operating areas in Clarendon and Manchester… more
Jose Marti claims Digicel BiP2Win $1-million prize
Jamaica – TECHNOLOGY has changed the way students interact, learn and compete but that was no problem for the students of Jose Marti Technical High who harnessed the power of the Internet to claim the top spot and a $1-million grand prize in Digicel’s BiP2Win For Your School competition… more
Farmers to receive donation from crypto currency NFT art auction sale
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – O’Shea Collis was volunteering at the Barouallie Government School shelter when the volcano erupted for the 2nd time on April 9, shooting an ash column into the sky… more
Free SIM card with credit for first 100 at vaccine pop-up Saturday
Sint Maarten – TelEm Group is continuing its COVID-19 vaccine public awareness efforts by teaming up with a vaccine pop-up clinic at the Orange Grove Shopping Center in Cole Bay, this Saturday, May 22… more
Saturday, 22 May 2021
Experts say time to strengthen regional internet infrastructure
Caribbean – One impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the rush to accelerate digitization of government systems and moving essential services online, according to Bevil Wooding, Director of Caribbean Affairs at ARIN, a nonprofit corporation that manages the distribution of Internet number resources in many Caribbean and North Atlantic islands, Canada, and the United States… more
ENDS Pilot Expands Island-Wide
Jamaica – The E-commerce National Delivery Solution (ENDS) Pilot Programme will this weekend be given its sternest test as operations are heightened in all fourteen (14) Parishes… more
Over 500,000 students to receive devices – PM
Jamaica – Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government is looking to provide technology devices to more than 500,000 students in the education system… more
Sunday, 23 May 2021
Scotia helping seniors make transition to digital
Jamaica – ALMOST 14 months since the coronavirus was declared a pandemic, Scotiabank is reaffirming its commitment to assist its customers to get onboard with its remote banking options that provide enhanced safety and convenience for routine banking transaction… more
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