A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 7 June to Sunday 13 June 2021.
Monday, 7 June 2021
Central Bank Digital Currency: Challenges and Opportunities
Bahamas – The country’s digital currency has become a reality from ideas and prototypes. In addition to the Bahamas, China and Sweden are piloting digital currencies, and within a few years you can see dozens of central banks issuing digital currencies… more
Belize and Inter-American Development Bank partner to host digital skills Bootcamp
Belize – The Government of Belize, through the Economic Development Council, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility (CCPF)… more
REGIONAL ROAMING CHARGES IN FOCUS
Caribbean – NEGOTIATIONS on roaming charges across Barbados and the Caribbean are to begin in earnest today as CARICOM moves to implement some of the proposals outlined in the report on Commission on the economy… more
Banks’ local clearing house suffers malware attack
Cayman Islands – ACH Cayman Limited, the company that manages electronic bank transfers between seven local banks, has announced the discovery of malware on the Cayman server of a third-party services provider… more
Big boost coming for Jamaica’s BPO sector
Jamaica – THE United States-based global management consulting firm, Avasant is moving to help Jamaican entrepreneurs discover new locations for the delivery of services and attract investments through its investment exchange platform, Global Equations… more
BPO attraction
Jamaica – Local business process outsourcing (BPO) operators are reporting an uptick in business since the start of the year, but say the sector will only reach its full potential if there is improvement to Jamaica’s broadband infrastructure… more
Nicole Brown is passionate about tech
Jamaica – UR five-minute feature this week is with Nicole Brown, chairperson, KEEZ… more
Tuesday, 8 June 2021
WIPAY signs with money transfer giant
Caribbean – WIPAY Caribbean has signed an agreement with remittance payment giant Ria Financial Services, expanding the WiPay network into over 150 countries… more
Cayman most popular domicile for crypto funds
Cayman Islands – The Cayman Islands and the United States remained the top two jurisdictions for crypto hedge funds last year, despite losing market share… more
Cyber predators on the rise in Cayman
Cayman Islands – Cayman’s Digital Forensic Hub has seen an increase in cyber-related crimes locally from sextortion to predators reaching out to children via popular social media platforms… more
Demystifying Digital Assets – A Guide for Trustees
Cayman Islands – The new and evolving world of digital assets has introduced many private clients not only to vast and often rapid wealth, but also to foreign and increasingly complex concepts… more
Digital register, ID cards proposal to go to Parliament this year
Cayman Islands – The proposal for a digital identity register and national ID cards is planned to go before Parliament in 2021… more
Personal data breaches increasing
Cayman Islands – The Cayman Islands has seen an increase in data breaches in the first quarter of this year… more
Dominica’s ‘work online’ programme described as successful
Dominica – Tourism Minister Denise Charles says Covid-19 has reinforced the need to provide individuals with the levels of skills training that will enable them to thrive and respond to working online… more
Global microchip shortage to cause increase in local prices for computers, other electronics
Guyana – Local businessman and proprietor of Starr Computer, Mike Mohan, is warning consumers of a global microchip shortage which is set to cause a significant increase in the price of computers and other essential electronics locally… more
$1 million donated by JTA to One Laptop or Tablet Per Child initiative
Jamaica – The One Laptop or Tablet Per Child initiative by the Ministry of Education of Jamaica has received a donation of $1 million from the Jamaica Teachers Association – JTA… more
A 17-year-old’s cellphone plea
Jamaica – A plea for Jamaicans to use their cellphones to help people as a first response to disaster instead of making social media posts has come from 17-year-old Kyla Gaynor, the 2021 Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) youth ambassador… more
If we’re going to use data in crime fight, use it properly!
Jamaica – Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang, in June 2020, said that “significant investment is being made in the acquisition of modern technology and the upgrading of physical infrastructure”, within the nation’s police force… more
NCB earmarks $100m for scholarships, grants to help Jamaica get digital
Jamaica – The National Commercial Bank (NCB) Foundation has set aside $100 million this year for scholarships and grants to assist students in priority areas, in an effort to help accelerate the digital transformation of Jamaica… more
ODPP wants High Court cybercrime cases tried without a jury
Jamaica – THE Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has called for cybercrime cases in the High Court to be tried without a jury, despite noting concerns among the legal fraternity about the increasing number of matters that are being assigned to bench trials… more
‘No compelling reason to keep 51% of TSTT’
Trinidad and Tobago – A REPORT commissioned by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley in 2016 recommended that majority State-owned Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) should sell its 51 per cent stake in the company… more
Wednesday, 9 June 2021
COVID-19 Dented 2020’s Electronics Sales – But Laptops, Cell Phones and E-Games Defied Slump
Antigua Barbuda – In the first three quarters of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a 30% fall in electronic and electrical equipment sales in low- and middle-income countries but only a 5% decline in high-income countries, highlighting and intensifying the digital divide between north and south, according to a new UN report… more
Hardware stocktaking for security
Caribbean – Over the last 12 to 15 months all the major seminars and conferences were, understandably, held online… more
Telecom companies collaborate on connectivity for remote learning
Caribbean – The last eighteen months have been a time of forced adaptation for every home, community, and organisation worldwide… more
UNESCO, Huawei to promote inclusive digital talent development in the Caribbean
Caribbean – THE Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (OREALC), which is part of UNESCO, has agreed with Huawei Technologies Co Ltd to jointly promote the development of digital talent in Latin America and the Caribbean… more
Dominica: Regulator holds consultation on new amateur radio rules
Dominica – The National Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (NTRC) is issuing a call for Amateur Radio Operators to participate in the consultation on the draft Amateur Radio Guidelines and Standards in Dominica… more
Advocating for technology governance
Jamaica – TECHNICAL professionals’ organisations play a significant role in the development and sustainability of our budding IT sector. However, local entities providing this service are not supported well enough for optimal governance and performance… more
Alicia Lyttle, TALLAWAH
Jamaica – Alicia Lyttle delivers a tremendous transformation as an e-commerce educator and all-around Internet boss. She is the CEO of POW, a digital marketing company, as well as CEO of Internet Income Jamaica. In partnership with her sister, they teach people how to transform their skills into an online business… more
Come on Flow, adjust your payment system
Trinidad and Tobago – I am asking the management of the cable TV company Flow to upgrade their operations in managing the crowds especially during month-end when customers gather to make bill payments… more
Imbert: Health tech opportunities in covid19
Trinidad and Tobago – FINANCE Minister Colm Imbert said the covid19 pandemic offers a unique opportunity for countries to develop or improve systems to develop health care and pensions… more
Thursday, 10 June 2021
Kanoo expands offering to include social assistance payments
Bahamas – Digital payments solutions provider Kanoo has included social assistance payments into its offering, with over 3,000 beneficiaries currently receiving assistance via its platform… more
Gov’t moves to amend gambling law to facilitate online betting
British Virgin islands – Cabinet has made additional strides in reviewing the territory’s Gaming and Betting Control Act… more
LARGO Announces the Signing of a Sales Contract with Digicel, One of the Caribbean’s Leading Telecom Companies
Caribbean – LARGO, an eco-responsible French player in the refurbishment of mobile devices, announced today the signature of a contract with Digicel, one of the first operators in the Caribbean, for the commercialization of its refurbished smartphones… more
Digicel gives $2M to aid PSC flood relief efforts
Guyana – The Private Sector Commission (PSC) on Thursday received a donation of $2 million from Digicel Guyana to aid its ongoing countrywide flood relief efforts as communities attempt to recover from the disaster… more
TT Government partners with Have I Been Pwned for cybersecurity
Trinidad and Tobago – On May 24, Troy Hunt of the security tracking website Have I been Pwned, announced that the Trinidad and Tobago Government, via the national Cybersecurity Incident Response Team (TT-CSIRT) had partnered with the site to track data breaches on government domains, websites and emails… more
Friday, 11 June 2021
Should Cayman introduce its own digital currency?
Cayman Islands – Cryptocurrencies have gained momentum and attracted more interest in recent years, usually in response to the volatile price of bitcoin… more
The electronic passport will be a reality in Dominican airports in 2022
Dominican Republic – For the 2022 budget, the probabilities of including the General Directorate of Passports ( DGP ) are contemplated to replace traditional travel documents, converting them into electronic passports for more agility in the entry and exit of airports… more
GTT restructures into four business units
Guyana – Newly-appointed Guyana Telephone & Telegraph (GTT) CEO, Damian Black-burn yesterday announced plans to improve services offered by the company starting with the introduction of four new business units… more
High-powered Public Utilities Commission panel to examine consumer expectations of telecoms liberalisation
Guyana – The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will Friday morning launch its monthly Round Table series geared at stimulating and generating conversation on a wide range of issues… more
Telecoms regulator examining satellite delivery of mobile services to remote communities
Guyana – Guyana’s Telecommunications Agency (TA) has begun examining the possibility of accessing satellite delivery of mobile services to remote hinterland communities, TA Head Andre Griffith said Friday… more
BPO chief calls for greater local alliance with int’l tech companies
Jamaica – Egbert Von Frankenberg, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Knightfox App Design Limited, a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company is calling on internet providers in the region to form commercial partnerships with big technology companies such as Google and Amazon to facilitate countries such as Jamaica’s growing platform economy… more
Digicel Foundation gifts teen tutor and students with tablets
Jamaica – The 14-year-old student who rose to national attention for teaching younger students in his community has received a well-deserved upgrade to his makeshift classroom, thanks to the Digicel Foundation… more
Interview with the Central Bank of Jamaica and eCurrency on CBDCs
Jamaica – The Central Bank of Jamaica and eCurrency delve into the topic of CBDCs, based on the pilot that currently tests a digital Jamaican Dollar… more
Saturday, 12 June 2021
The Importance of Digitalisation
Caribbean – We were pleased on learning that a stakeholder consultation on enhancing the digital economy of countries of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) was held earlier this week spearheaded by the OECS Commission… more
Digicel reaches out to flood affected customers with over $25M in credit to keep them connected
Guyana – Digicel Guyana on June 7, provided over $25M in credit to its customers living in the flood-affected communities throughout Guyana… more
Sunday, 13 June 2021
Android or iOS for seniors?
Caribbean – IN today’s digital world, it is almost impossible to get by without a mobile phone, a fact that is true even for senior citizens… more
Cryptocurrency, a brief legal perspective
Caribbean – Cryptocurrency is the new gold. Similar to gold, cryptocurrency is traded in a “coin” format and creating new cryptocurrency is called “mining”… more
US$70-million BPO boost coming
Jamaica – The burgeoning business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, now operating in 12 of the 14 parishes across Jamaica, is poised for further growth to come from the over US$70 million in projects being prepared by international investors… more
UHWI’s digital pains
Jamaica – After more than half a billion dollars in expenses and four years past its deadline, there’s no end in sight for a project to transform the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) into a paperless institution, a Sunday Gleaner investigation has found… more
Image credits: Andrys Stienstra (Pixabay); Facebook; Wikipedia; Wikimedia Commons; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Guyana Chronicle
