The New Ringtones?

Mobile News,Australia- Australian Bluepulse has created a tool that allows users to add features and functions to their cell phones in the same way they customize their personal computers, by downloading and installing pieces of software.
Although other methods of tweaking cell phone software have been around for a while, they varied by phone and carrier, and were too complex for the average consumer to actually consider using. Regardless of which phone or carrier they use, consumers can now download Bluepulse's basic software platform and install widgets (tiny, specialized software applications) that add fun or functional elements to their phone.
source: springwise.com

Internet: Infinite potential for region's tourism

Internet News, Barbados - CARIBBEAN DESTINATIONS need to make better use of the Internet to expand markets and drive tourism business.
Noting that it was the most powerful tool available to the region today, Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, said the potential was limitless.
By proper use of the Internet, he said, regional destinations could earn more from their hotel rooms through direct contact with the market and bypassing middle players.
Vanderpool-Wallace made the comments as he addressed students in Trade Policy at the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies, and also suggested that regional products could find lucrative markets through effective use of the Internet.
He acknowledged that the rapid growth of technology and global dynamics had turned the travel industry on its head and urged regional travel professionals to look at the possibility of selling packages to the Caribbean, targeting consumers in traditional source markets.
Vanderpool-Wallace said the Internet and digital technology could also upscale the travel experience, and increased the likelihood that tourists will recommend their experiences to family and friends. "The cost of communication to call foreign countries used to be so high that very few phone calls were made. "Now, you can connect a telephone to your laptop anywhere in the world at rates that are unbelievable," he said.
"There is no reason why travel agents in the Caribbean can't be booking tourist packages in the United States or in Europe," he argued, noting that Caribbean people living in the Caribbean knew the region better than anyone else.
In terms of using available information to enhance the experience of visitors to the region, Vanderpool-Wallace told his audience that data from Immigration cards gained at the point of entry could be used as a database to provide a higher level of service and improve the chances that tourists would return or recommend the destination.
source:nationnews.com

Local cable operators resist FLOW's overtures

Telecom News, Jamaica - The island's newest telecommunications company, FLOW, is meeting resistance to its attempts to create a dominant position in the cable television market.
At a special meeting held on the weekend, members of the Jamaica Association of Community Cable Operators (JACCO) agreed to reject overtures from FLOW. FLOW has been making pronouncements about its plans for the local cable market even though it is yet to receive the approval of the Broadcasting Commission.
There have been reports that cable operators are being pressured to sell their operations.It is reported that FLOW's announcement to seek control of a large segment of the cable industry has thrown the sector in disarray.
JACCO says since the announcement by FLOW, several subscribers have been refusing to pay their bills, arguing that they will soon be switching to the new provider.And cable operators are seeking a meeting this week with Information Minister Collin Campbell.
They want to air concerns about reports that FLOW is trying to obtain a license to provide island wide cable service.
source: radiojamaica.com

Digicel hits 1.5-m subscriber mark on 5th birthday

MObile News, Jamaica -Mobile phone service provider Digicel marks its fifth anniversary today with news that it now has 1.5 million subscribers in Jamaica, giving it, the company says, more than 60 per cent of the telecommunications market share here.
According to data received from the company, Digicel achieved the 1.5 million target last month just before adding Trinidad and Tobago to the 13 other Caribbean islands in which it now offers service.
Since its launch in Jamaica in 2001, the Irish-owned telecoms company has aggressively expanded throughout the Caribbean even as it broadened its customer base across Jamaica with new product offerings such as 'per second billing', 'picture messaging', 'mobile web', 'mobile chat', and 'pre-paid roaming'.
With the acquisition of Bouygues Telecom Caraïbe, it will allow the company to expand to Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana. Currently Digicel operates in Jamaica, The Cayman Islands, Grenada, St Lucia, Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Bermuda, Anquilla, St Kitts & Nevis, Antigua, & Barbuda, Dominica, Curacao, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua, Turks & Caicos Islands.
source:jamaicaobserver.com

Mixed reaction to FLOW launch

Internet News, Jamaica - FLOW officially launched in Jamaica on Wednesday, April 5. There has been great anticipation especially within the technlogy and business community for - high speed internet acess at cheaper rates, and the added benfits of 250 digital channels as they promised.
I'm going to focus on high speed internet access, since it's what residents and business probably crave most right now in my view. Now, having got a hold of information on monthly rates, set up fees for high speed internet, I am now in two minds about FLOW. Here's why: As a resident, clearly its going to be good. Come May this year, residential customers will be able to get 1 Mbps of high speed internet access for 650 Jamaican dollars or 10 US Dollars a month. That's excellent.
As an entrepreneur of a small and fast growing business,I may as well stay with FLOW's competitor, with their temperamental service and all. Here's why: Their lowest package is what they call FLow Lite, which is a Dedicated line pushing 1Mpbs up and down, for a small business of 10 persons or less. That's the nature of my business. The cost per month for that service is US249 a month, that's not the bad part, there is a US$1,500 set up fee. Without question, I recognise a need for a business to recoup its initial investment, but there are not many small jamaican businesses who can just cough up US$1,500 like that. That set up fee is too high.
And maybe they have recognised that, as already they have begun to offer waivers of 50% off the set up fee, if you sign up by mid April. My initial answer is...ahhh NO! I'll wait and see if they come with a better offer. I will maintain this position even as colleagues in the business tells me that that price isn't too bad. Well, that's niice. The set up fee is still too high.
Suggestions to FLOW: Why not, bind a customer for a year and waive the set up fee? Why not have a month where the monthly cost of the service and the intial set up is the same? There is a hunger for high and more reliable speeds for cheaper rates, as they know.
Anyway one of their management executives already asked for our permission for them to make mistakes and fail and come back form failing- after all it's part of growing your business. As an entrepreneur, I can understand that fully. But lawwks, can FLOW do something about that set up fee.