Digicel Barbados has reiterated its dedication to bolstering the island’s tourism and hospitality sector by deploying cutting-edge digital solutions aimed at enhancing guest experiences. During a recent Digicel Business event at Sandals Royal Barbados, CEO Natalie Abrahams emphasized the company’s mission to empower hotels with technology that aligns with evolving traveler demands and fortifies business resilience. ‘Every reservation and every social media post serves as a digital ambassador for Barbados, showcasing the unforgettable experiences it offers,’ Abrahams remarked. She highlighted the growing importance of seamless, personalized, and immediate services in today’s hospitality landscape, which is increasingly driven by digital innovation and robust connectivity. However, Abrahams also cautioned about the escalating risks of cyber threats, noting a 76% surge in cyber exposures across the Caribbean since 2023. To address these vulnerabilities, Digicel is offering complimentary Dark Web Scans to its hospitality partners, ensuring enhanced data security. Abrahams underscored Digicel’s reliability, citing its swift response during Hurricane Beryl, where 87% of customers were reconnected within 48 hours. Marco Piazzi, Digicel’s regional hospitality business development manager, further elaborated on the company’s role as a leading technology partner for Caribbean hotels. He highlighted the integration of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and cybersecurity through products like the 360View surveillance system and 360Comms communication platform, designed to optimize safety, efficiency, and connectivity. ‘By merging connectivity, ICT, cloud, and cybersecurity, Digicel enables hotels to operate smarter and safer,’ Abrahams concluded. ‘Together, we can build a hospitality industry that is not only warm and welcoming but also smart, secure, and future-ready.’
分类： technology
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Taxi operators push back against Uber with own ride-hailing app
In a strategic move to counter Uber’s recent entry into Barbados, the Bridgetown Port Taxi Co-op Society Ltd unveiled its own ride-hailing app, Zail Barbados, on Wednesday. The launch, held at Copacabana Beach Club, marked a significant milestone for the local taxi industry, which has been preparing for this moment for months. Adrian Smiley Bailey, President of the co-op, emphasized that the initiative was not a reactionary measure but a well-planned effort to safeguard the interests of local drivers.
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AI Minister: Committee will fight online scams
In a concerning development, a fabricated Newsday article, generated by artificial intelligence (AI), has been circulating on social media, falsely implicating Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo in promoting a fraudulent investment scheme. Newsday has confirmed that no such article was published. This incident is part of a broader trend of AI-driven misinformation targeting media outlets and public figures in Trinidad and Tobago (TT).
Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence, Dominic Smith, addressed the growing threat of online scams and deep-fake technology in the Senate on October 29. He highlighted the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee on September 11 by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to combat these issues. The committee aims to address the misuse of AI in creating deep-fake videos, which have been used to impersonate prominent figures such as former president Anthony Carmona and Republic Bank’s former chairman Ronald Ramkissoon.
Independent Senator Anthony Vieira, who raised the motion, emphasized the dangers of deep-fakes, which exploit images, voices, and likenesses to deceive the public. He warned that such technology poses significant risks to public trust, intellectual property, and the creative industries. Vieira called for legislative measures akin to the UK’s proposed protections for artists and the US’s Elvis Act, which criminalizes unauthorized AI-generated impersonations.
Vieira also urged TT to collaborate with international bodies like Caricom and the World Intellectual Property Organisation to adopt best practices in combating AI-driven fraud. He suggested public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on identifying and reporting deep-fakes.
Minister Smith reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing AI-related risks, noting that AI disinformation is now a top global concern. He highlighted the proactive steps taken by the government, including the establishment of the inter-ministerial committee, which will coordinate national cybersecurity policies and enhance law enforcement capabilities to tackle AI-driven scams.
Smith emphasized the importance of regional collaboration, citing his role as president of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), which has formed a task force on AI and risk. He assured that the government is focused on ensuring AI serves as a tool for development rather than exploitation, aligning with global efforts to safeguard digital infrastructure and public trust.
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AI Minister: Committee will fight online scams
In a significant move to combat the rising tide of AI-generated disinformation and deep-fake scams, Trinidad and Tobago’s government has established an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee on Cyber Security and AI. This initiative, approved by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on September 11, aims to address the growing threat of online fraud, which has recently targeted prominent public figures and financial institutions.
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Wheatley warns of scam Hurricane Melissa relief websites targeting donors
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Dr. Andrew Wheatley, Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, has issued a stern warning to the public regarding fraudulent websites attempting to exploit charitable donations in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. The Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team (JaCIRT) has identified numerous suspicious domains designed to divert funds from legitimate government channels.
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Caribbean Eyes Hydrogen-from-Seawater as Game-Changer for Clean Energy and Maritime Innovation
The Caribbean region is emerging as a frontrunner in the global quest for sustainable energy solutions, with a groundbreaking focus on harnessing hydrogen from seawater. This innovative approach is being hailed as a potential game-changer for clean energy production and maritime industry innovation. By leveraging the abundant seawater resources surrounding the islands, Caribbean nations aim to produce hydrogen through advanced electrolysis processes, which split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable energy sources like solar and wind. This method not only provides a clean energy alternative but also addresses the region’s vulnerability to climate change and fossil fuel dependency. The initiative is expected to revolutionize the maritime sector by powering ships with hydrogen fuel cells, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the project could stimulate economic growth by creating new industries and job opportunities in the green energy sector. Experts believe this technology could position the Caribbean as a global leader in renewable energy innovation, setting a precedent for other coastal regions worldwide.
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Liberty Caribbean and Starlink Direct to Cell adds data messaging connectivity to its emergency service in Jamaica in aftermath of Hurricane Melissa
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation, Liberty Caribbean, operators of Flow Jamaica and Liberty Business, has successfully restored data messaging connectivity to over 70% of its mobile data customers. This achievement was made possible through a collaboration with Starlink’s Direct to Cell satellites, which provided emergency connectivity via SMS and text services as the hurricane made landfall in St. Elizabeth early Tuesday morning.
The Spectrum Management Authority and the Ministry of Energy, Transport, and Telecommunications approved the necessary spectrum for this initiative, enabling Liberty Caribbean to integrate Starlink’s advanced satellite technology. Inge Smidts, CEO of Liberty Caribbean, emphasized the importance of this service, stating, ‘The availability of our FLOW Essential service provided basic SMS and text messaging during the hurricane. We worked closely with Starlink to restore as many communication options as possible, and now we’re able to offer data messaging connectivity to over 70% of our mobile data customers.’
Smidts highlighted the critical role of communication in the nation’s recovery efforts, noting, ‘The ability to communicate will be crucial as we rebuild. We wanted to give our customers one less thing to worry about.’ This partnership ensures island-wide network redundancy, delivering seamless satellite connectivity directly to mobile customers while local infrastructure remains unavailable.
Liberty Caribbean, a subsidiary of Liberty Latin America, operates in over 20 Caribbean markets, providing broadband, mobile, video, and voice services through its consumer brands Flow and BTC. Its B2B division, Liberty Business, supports economic growth with enterprise-grade connectivity, cloud, security, and data center services.
Starlink Direct to Cell, the world’s largest satellite constellation with over 650 low-Earth orbit satellites, offers data, voice, video, and messaging services in mobile dead zones. Its advanced phased array antennas act like cell towers in space, enabling seamless global connectivity. Starlink partners with Mobile Network Operators worldwide to enhance 4G coverage and network integration.
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Liberty Caribbean working with Starlink Direct to Cell to provide service in Jamaica
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on Jamaica, Liberty Caribbean, the parent company of Flow Jamaica and Liberty Business, has taken proactive measures to ensure swift recovery and uninterrupted communication for its customers. Leveraging its partnership with Starlink Direct to Cell, Liberty Caribbean will utilize satellite technology to provide emergency connectivity in areas where terrestrial networks have been severely disrupted. This groundbreaking collaboration marks the first instance in Jamaica where a traditional telecom operator has teamed up with a satellite communications provider to deliver seamless mobile connectivity during crises. The initiative will enable essential SMS and text communications, ensuring that emergency services, businesses, and families can stay connected when local infrastructure fails. Inge Smidts, CEO of Liberty Caribbean, emphasized the critical importance of communication in disaster scenarios, stating, ‘Having the ability to communicate post-hurricane is a matter of life and death. Our FLOW Essential service will provide immediate basic connectivity.’ This innovative approach underscores Liberty Caribbean’s commitment to safeguarding Jamaicans, the economy, and the region’s shared future by integrating redundancy into its island-wide mobile network.
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Team Barbados gears up for Global Robotics Challenge in Panama
Four talented young Barbadians are poised to showcase their ingenuity at the prestigious FIRST Global Robotics Challenge, an international STEM competition that mirrors the spirit of the Olympics. This year’s event, scheduled from October 29 to November 1 in Panama, will bring together high school students from across the globe to demonstrate their prowess in designing and programming robots capable of executing intricate tasks. Team Barbados, led by seasoned electronics and electrical technology teacher Matthew Douglas, has been diligently preparing for the challenge. Douglas, with over 25 years of experience and a passion for nurturing young innovators, praised the team’s exceptional time management and unwavering dedication. The competition will feature robots performing tasks such as collecting and shooting soccer balls into scoring zones, maneuvering larger balls into slots, and even climbing ropes—a true test of engineering precision and collaborative effort. Among the team members is Jean-Pierre Pilgrim, a 14-year-old prodigy from Queen’s College, who has already excelled academically in English, Mathematics, and Information Technology. Pilgrim, an avid computer and gaming enthusiast, expressed confidence in the team’s hard work and preparation. Makai Beckles-Lewis, a 15-year-old from Combermere School, is equally enthusiastic, looking forward to experiencing diverse cultures in Panama. Kurt Hazell, a 16-year-old athlete from the same school, shared his excitement and nervousness about his first international competition. Nathan Douglas, a 15-year-old from The Lodge School, is drawn to the mechanical aspects of robotics, while 13-year-old Christopher Smith from St. Winifred’s School is eager to learn from his older teammates. The team departed on Monday, ready to make their mark on the global stage.
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Liberty Caribbean Working With Starlink Direct To Cell To Provide Emergency Service In Jamaica During Hurricane Disaster Aftermath
In a groundbreaking initiative, Liberty Caribbean, the operator of Flow Jamaica and Liberty Business, has announced a strategic partnership with Starlink Direct to Cell to ensure emergency connectivity for its customers in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. This collaboration, the first of its kind in Jamaica, leverages satellite technology to provide essential communication services when terrestrial networks are disrupted.
Hurricane Melissa has caused significant damage across Jamaica, and the ability to communicate in such critical times is paramount. Liberty Caribbean, in coordination with the Spectrum Management Authority and the Ministry of Energy, Transport, and Telecommunications, will utilize Starlink’s satellite constellation to deliver SMS and text communications directly to mobile devices in affected areas.
Inge Smidts, CEO of Liberty Caribbean, emphasized the importance of this innovation, stating, ‘We understand that communication during a disaster can be a matter of life and death. Our FLOW Essential service will provide immediate basic connectivity to those in need.’ This service ensures that emergency services, businesses, and families can stay connected even when local infrastructure is compromised.
Liberty Caribbean, a subsidiary of Liberty Latin America, has a long-standing presence in the Caribbean, offering broadband, mobile, video, and voice services through its consumer brands Flow and BTC. Its B2B division, Liberty Business, provides enterprise-grade connectivity, cloud, security, and data center solutions, supporting economic growth in the digital era.
Starlink Direct to Cell, with its constellation of over 650 low-Earth orbit satellites, is the world’s largest provider of 4G coverage in mobile dead zones. This technology enables seamless communication via existing LTE phones, acting as a cell tower in space. Starlink’s advanced phased array antennas and laser-based network integration ensure global connectivity, making it an ideal partner for emergency response efforts.
This partnership underscores Liberty Caribbean’s commitment to the Caribbean region and its dedication to safeguarding Jamaicans, the economy, and the shared future. By integrating satellite redundancy into its mobile network, Liberty Caribbean and Starlink are setting a new standard for disaster resilience and connectivity.