分类： technology

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Universal Service Fund (USF) has unveiled ambitious plans to modernize Community Access Points (CAPs) across Jamaica, aiming to bridge the digital divide and enhance connectivity nationwide. This initiative was announced by Minister of Transport, Telecommunications, and Energy, Daryl Vaz, during the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Week 2025 press briefing held at the AC Hotel by Marriott Kingston.

The revamp, set to begin in the current fiscal year, will target 14 CAPs, transforming them into smart community centers. These hubs will provide residents with access to electronic and digital public services, fostering greater digital inclusion. Vaz emphasized that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to integrate technology into everyday life, ensuring that communities are equipped to thrive in the digital age.

In addition to the CAPs upgrade, the USF has been actively expanding its national footprint through the deployment of community and public Wi-Fi networks. To date, the agency has established over 400 Wi-Fi hotspots, serving an average of 150,000 users weekly. With an annual investment of approximately $2.3 billion, the USF is committed to sustaining its digital education initiatives in schools and public spaces.

Looking ahead to 2025, the USF plans to roll out an additional 63 community Wi-Fi hotspots, further advancing Jamaica’s digital inclusion agenda. The agency is also extending its reach into the tourism sector, with plans to deploy public Wi-Fi in key tourism hubs. This strategic move aims to enhance Jamaica’s tourism offerings, making the country more attractive to visitors while supporting local businesses.

The USF, operating under the Ministry of Transport, Telecommunications, and Energy, continues to play a pivotal role in connecting communities across Jamaica. Its efforts align with the broader goals of CTU ICT Week 2025, which seeks to drive regional digital transformation and strengthen the Caribbean’s position as a connected and resilient region.

Samsung Electronics announced on Tuesday the launch of its latest One UI 8 software update for Galaxy smartphones, introducing advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools and bolstered security features. The update, initially available for the new Galaxy S25 series, showcases what the South Korean tech giant terms ‘multimodal’ AI capabilities, designed to comprehend user context and deliver proactive suggestions. The software will gradually extend to older models, including the Galaxy S24 series and the latest foldable devices, throughout the year.

YouTube has reached a $22 million settlement with former President Donald Trump, resolving a lawsuit stemming from the suspension of his account following the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. The agreement, disclosed in a court document on Monday, marks another legal resolution between Trump and major tech companies. The Google-owned platform suspended Trump’s account amid concerns that his posts could incite further violence, particularly after he repeatedly claimed without evidence that the 2020 election was marred by voter fraud. Trump, 79, argued that the suspension constituted wrongful censorship and took legal action against YouTube and other social media platforms. The settlement funds will reportedly support a construction project at the White House through the nonprofit Trust for the National Mall, which focuses on preserving and enhancing the National Mall. The January 6 riot, which involved violent clashes between pro-Trump rioters and law enforcement, resulted in injuries to over 140 police officers. This settlement follows similar agreements with other tech giants, including Meta’s $25 million payout earlier this year and X’s $10 million settlement in February. Meanwhile, Alphabet’s 2025 annual report revealed that YouTube’s ad sales alone generated over $36 billion in revenue in 2024.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A groundbreaking initiative has been unveiled in Jamaica with the launch of the Jamaica Cyber Youth Empowerment Academy, where 30 young Jamaicans aged 18 to 24 have embarked on a six-month intensive cybersecurity training programme. This pioneering academy, the first of its kind in the Americas, is a collaborative effort involving the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), the Ministry of National Security and Peace, and the Organisation of American States (OAS), with financial backing from the Government of Canada. The programme is part of the OAS Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE) Cybersecurity Talent and Workforce Development Programme. The academy was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at the S Hotel in New Kingston on Monday. Ambassador Dr. Rocky Meade, Permanent Secretary in the OPM, highlighted the global cybersecurity workforce gap, which exceeds 4.8 million, with North America alone facing a deficit of over half a million professionals. While Jamaica’s specific skills gap remains unquantified, both public and private sectors are increasingly aware of the urgent need for trained cybersecurity experts. Meade attributed the shortage to limited awareness of the field’s lucrative career prospects, outdated training programmes, misconceptions about accessibility, and the high cost of certifications. He revealed that the government is partnering with international organisations to provide young Jamaicans with the necessary technical skills and certifications. Additionally, Jamaica is set to implement the Vincula LAC World Bank Pilot Project, offering 500 training opportunities, including 200 dedicated to cybersecurity. Meade stressed that Jamaica’s journey toward developed country status hinges on cultivating a pool of skilled cybersecurity professionals to ensure national cybersecurity and data sovereignty. Ambassador Alison Stone Roofe, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security and Peace, emphasised the government’s commitment to positioning Jamaica as a regional leader in cybersecurity talent development. She urged the trainees to seize the opportunity, as the programme equips them with foundational knowledge and practical insights into emerging technologies. Stone Roofe expressed optimism about the academy’s transformative impact on Jamaica’s youth and the nation’s overall resilience.

Teenage Engineering, the Swedish design and technology collective celebrated for revolutionizing music equipment, is gearing up to introduce its latest innovation, the EP-40 drum machine and sequencer. The launch will be marked by a week-long celebration in Jamaica, the birthplace of reggae, from October 10 to 17. This strategic move aims to connect with music enthusiasts and creators deeply rooted in the reggae genre. The EP-40, inspired by reggae, dancehall, and sound system culture, is designed to capture the essence of these musical styles while staying true to their origins. The team emphasized that Jamaica has been central to their vision, as it is the cradle of these sounds and the community that has nurtured them. The EP-40 is not just a drum machine or sequencer; it is a tool for spontaneous creativity, featuring intuitive grid-loops and powerful effects inspired by reggae and dub. It includes a sound bank with over 400 new recordings contributed by legendary artists like King Jammy, Mafia & Fluxy, Mighty Crown, and Mad Professor. Additionally, the EP-40 boasts a built-in synthesizer with classic digital-era sounds and authentic dub sirens, offering producers a comprehensive range of reggae’s sonic DNA. The device is professional, versatile, user-friendly, and affordable, allowing producers to sync it with other gear, layer rhythms, and create full tracks. Teenage Engineering hopes the EP-40 will inspire both the artists and producers involved in its development and new users alike, helping reggae reach a broader audience.

Digicel Jamaica has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to solarize more than half of its 930 cell sites across the country. This multimillion-dollar project, executed in collaboration with U.S.-based Caban Energy, aims to enhance network resilience against weather-related disruptions and frequent power outages while reducing reliance on diesel generators. Over the next 12 months, 511 sites will be equipped with solar panels and battery systems, providing a robust backup power solution to meet the ever-growing demand for mobile data. The initiative was officially launched at a ribbon-cutting ceremony near Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport, attended by Digicel executives and country managers from across the Caribbean. The move comes in response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl in July 2023, which left large sections of the island without power for weeks. Digicel Jamaica CEO Stephen Murad emphasized the project’s alignment with the government’s call for telecom providers to strengthen service continuity during crises. Caban Energy’s technology will generate electricity onsite and store excess power in battery packs, significantly reducing downtime and fuel costs. Digicel estimates the initiative will produce over 15,000 megawatt hours of clean energy annually and cut carbon emissions by approximately 38,000 tonnes. Caban Energy CEO Alexandra Rasch Castillo highlighted the project’s dual focus on sustainability and resilience, noting the Caribbean’s vulnerability to severe weather. While Jamaica is the first market to benefit, the partnership will expand to Digicel’s 25 other markets across the region, setting a new standard for clean, reliable, and future-ready telecom infrastructure.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Godphey Sterling, Director of the Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT) Division, has issued a stark warning to Jamaican organizations, urging them to bolster their cybersecurity measures without delay. In a recent interview with JIS News, Sterling emphasized the critical importance of vulnerability mitigation, breach data remediation, and incident reporting to protect the nation’s digital infrastructure.

Sterling stressed the need for proactive measures, stating, ‘We must address vulnerabilities before they cause irreversible harm. System administrators, boards, and management must focus on how systems are acquired, updated, maintained, and decommissioned.’ He highlighted the risks posed by everyday devices, such as network-connected printers, which are often discarded without proper data sanitization, leaving sensitive information exposed to exploitation.

The director also revealed alarming statistics, noting that over 70% of ransomware attacks in 2023 were executed through compromised privileged accounts, which were then used to infiltrate third-party systems and re-enter core networks. Sterling urged organizations to act swiftly when data breaches occur, whether through internal networks or third-party channels. While removing compromised data from the deep and dark web may be costly, he advised essential steps such as password changes and account deletions to mitigate risks.

Sterling also emphasized the importance of reporting incidents to the CIRT Division, stating, ‘We cannot manage what we cannot measure. Reporting is crucial for us to extract information from your networks.’ He assured that reporting can be done securely and anonymously.

The CIRT Division remains committed to fostering a resilient cybersecurity ecosystem in Jamaica, working tirelessly to safeguard the nation’s digital landscape.