Trini technology 10 years behind its time

[Chill_Factor]

Came across this on google

Trinidad and Tobago is one of the few blessed countries in the world, mainly because of its oil and gas reserves and relatively stable economy. However, with so much money and business potentials floating around, why has technology taken a backseat on the road to development? The past and present governments have been focusing on trying to achieve First World status by investing more in natural resources and the import/export business, but why have they forgotten the major role technology can play in getting there faster?



With importing/exporting being such a big business in T&T, many business owners have expressed interest in expanding their operations into the online arena, but have found themselves between a rock and a hard place because of the lack of credit card facilities to enable receiving payments via the web. Unless you can afford an expensive service from RBS, Authorize.net or have a bank account in country like the United States or the United Kingdom, you would be out of luck.

There are many online financial intermediaries which offer simple send/receive services for online retailers. Some of them include PayPal, MoneyBookers and AlertPay. As many online shoppers and business entrepreneurs know, you can only link a Credit or Electron card to these accounts to send cash, whether it be to pay for something or transfer to another account. There are no facilities in place for them to receive money via the web, which means it would be impossible to carry out an online business that deals with taking cash in exchange for goods/services.

I recently called up PayPay to find out what the situation was regarding Trinidad and according to one of their supervisors, Trinidad does not have the technology nor the proper legislature in place to allow for such services. They did say that they are in talks with the government about rectifying the problem, but this has been the same response for the past few years, which means nothing is coming about from the situation.

I then called the Banker’s Association of Trinidad and Tobago and asked them about the situation and they also mentioned that it was in the pipeline, but they couldn’t comment on the progress of things. The Ministry of Trade also confirmed that no laws are in place for such transactions, and they don’t know when it will come up for debate. As a result, the banks are still unable to offer online credit gateway services as a result of the legal limitations.

With these disappointing results in mind, it seems Trinidadians are limited to the brick-and-mortar franchises they are accustomed to. Even Jamaica has a much more advanced banking system than ours, yet their economy is no where near as sustainable as the one in Trinidad.

Residential/Mobile Internet

In a world where residential customers are now getting access to technologies such as DSL, Cable and Satellite broadband Internet, many in first world countries enjoy speeds of 10Mbps and above for a relatively low price, with the few occurrences of downtime causing many frowned faces. However in Trinidad, it seems only one provided (Flow) offers comparable speeds, but not near as low as the prices offered in the US.

Surprisingly similar Flow packages in Jamaica are half as expensive in as in Trinidad, yet both countries share the same Caribbean pipeline. Unfortunately, many customers still complain about reliability and traffic issues during peak hours. For a network with so much potential, Flow still has a lot of do to meet up to the standards of first world providers.

The big laughingstock though is Blink. Currently, they are the only DSL provider in Trinidad mainly because they had the telephone infrastructure in place to support the service from the beginning. However, any Blink/TSTT subscriber can give a horror story about the DSL service, whether it be constant disconnections, horribly slow speeds and poor overall customer service.

Over the past few months, they have been carrying out “so-called” upgrades, which never seem to be completed based on the slow speeds experienced. Sadly enough, the CSRs find ways of throwing the blame on the customers’ computers rather than admitting that a problem exists on their end. At least Flow has the courtesy to let its customers know when upgrades will take place. Prices also seem to be one of the biggest problems, because when compared to services offered by AT&T in the US.

For instance, a 3.0Mbps plan is priced at US $14.95 per month, which a 2.0Mbps Blink plan costs about US $37 a month. If it were not for competitors on the broadband market, Trinidadians might have had to still pay hundreds of dollars for a 256kbps connection. Overall, residential customers are still putting up with substandard service for a price that is through the roof.

Let’s now move on to the interesting bit: Mobile Internet. In the times where 3rd and 4th Generation mobile Internet are one of the most popular web services in the mobile world, Trinidad has yet to see a full scale 3G service for mobile customers.

Yes, TSTT does offer 3G for corporate PC users, but it seems that they are only now implementing the technology to allow for 3G and 4G access on the mobile platform, at what I guess may be very high prices (as usual). So what do people have to settle for? 2G EDGE of course.

Both Digicel and bMobile offer 2G EDGE service, which allows for 32-48kbps of download at about TT $150 per month. With so many users switching to smartphones, why hasn’t a relevant 3G or 4G network been in place to deal with such customers?

The problem somewhat lies in the fact that the Blackberry Internet Service has become such a hit among Trinidadians. Users have come to accept slow speeds, just to be part of the “in crowd” and mostly for the “free” BBM service which comes along with the plan. So what about the rest who own iPhones and Android devices? Either they can take the very slow EDGE service (which also services Blackberry mobiles) or use WiFi at their homes or at Hotspots, which are significantly faster.

3G has been in existence since 1992, and officially went mainstream from 2001 and onwards but we now live in the year 2011 and Trinidadians still have not been able to experience 3G service in their homeland.

Government

One of the biggest frustrations come about when having to deal with many divisions of the government. If you have to apply for your passport, get your driver’s license renewed or file your taxes, you’d know there is a lot of physical paperwork involved. Sadly enough, once this paper work is processed, it goes into piles sometimes as high as the ceiling in the offices. The problems start to occur when reference needs to be made to the filed paperwork, with some Ministries either responding months to years after, or just simply ask that people resubmit updated information for the records.

Only recently have the various ministries started changing over to an IT based solution, with only one or two using online networked systems. What impressed me though was how efficient the US immigration service was. Instead of filling out paper-based forms, users can do it online and even upload their own photos for the file. After, all the information is transferred to the Consular Officers where they can then pull it up on their system in seconds.

Another great example in the US’s Department of Motor Vehicles. Drivers looking to renew their license take an average of 15 minutes to do so, while the process in Trinidad takes between 1-4 hours.

Even with some ministries becoming computerized, the overall process takes so long that the software and systems soon becoming too outdated for their intended use.

IT Personnel

With Trinidad being such an oil-based country, the government has continued to heavily base its investments and projections on the hope that oil will last for a very long time. Since oil is non-renewable, they should have at least considered the thought of significantly developing other industries to sustain the economy’s demand for capital, when oil and gas does eventually run out.

The only other major industry seems to be the import/export business, but it has done well indirectly because of oil and gas revenues.

Trinidad should have maybe considered becoming an IT based society to possibly offer their services to other countries looking for outsourced technological needs. India for instance has had a thriving economy because of their demand for IT services, so much that Indians are now at the head of IT divisions in many organizations.

Of course there are other industries that Trinidad could diversify into, but with the world constantly demanding more and more technology, it is a sure field to get into.

Wrapping up, Trinidad has quite a lot of potential for development and is still in a stable state where it can expand into new areas. However, it the government and society as a whole still have a backward mindset regarding technology, the entire country would stand to suffer due to much slower progress.

Full Story

[rollingstock]

Don't let the politicians see this, they'll say its a conspiracy to undermine their achievements

[Humes]

That was one poorly-written article. Amateurish from the first sentence.

It read more like some disgruntled Trini techie b*tching about stuff on his blog (yes, I saw the URL) than a professional doing a real analysis. The part about BB and "in-crowds" was especially amusing.

In fact, with his constant exaggerations, overly personal perspective and sensationalistic title, he sounds like he could be someone from this forum.

[Humes]

Trinidad is actually the laughing stock of the entire developed world

Trinidad would have to be known to be a laughing stock. Very, very few people in the developed world or the developing world study Trinidad.

[Humes]

Well they must know us by now, seeing we always calling on the FBI and Scotland Yard, now Canadians to solve OUR problems.

In the 70s and 80s they were calling our teachers and nurses to solve their problems.

Nutten so strange or new about hiring foreign law enforcement specialists. Scotland Yard, the FBI etc shipping out people all over the world on a daily basis.

I eh sayin is a good or bad thing...it's just that it's only a thing to people here who studying it. Uncle Sam, the Maple Leaf and the Queen doh give two shites about Trinidad. With their tumultuous political situations, their failing economies etc...you really feel dem have time to study we?

[bluespeed]

Trinidad is actually the laughing stock of the entire developed world

Trinidad would have to be known to be a laughing stock. Very, very few people in the developed world or the developing world study Trinidad.

bro, the world knows that a Trinidadian killed Michael Jackson

[geodude]

Trinidad is actually the laughing stock of the entire developed world

Trinidad would have to be known to be a laughing stock. Very, very few people in the developed world or the developing world study Trinidad.

bro, the world knows that a Trinidadian killed Michael Jackson

ha ha but its so true,
i am so tired of having to tell ppl i am from Trinidad and Tobago and they twist their faces and say where?
then i say "in the Caribbean"
and they are like "ok i have heard about the Caribbean but wtf is Trinidad,"
so then i need to be like " a very small island just above Venezuela",
and they are like "ok thats nice moving on now"

seriously Trinidad blows, i never invite any persons to visit if my friends what to visit i take them to Jamaica, at least new Kingston is pretty, our city has like 2 new high rise buildings and the entire country still is complaining about it.

[turbohead]

Simple - cuz government after government are a bunch of illiterate, nasty, greedy drug runners.

Technology would affect their trade.

Police still have no computers in their cars, border control doesn't exist. Hell we don't even have radar guns

There's no fingerprint or DNA database, police still use ink and paper to take prints

But have no fear, put up a few big buildings and fool people with an illusion of being "developed"

and have no water to wash yuh hand after

[ruffneck_12]

There's no fingerprint or DNA database, police still use ink and paper to take prints

I can solve that, instead of ink, cut the finger, and use the blood as ink,,, Finger print + DNA

I cant solve the database problem doh

[rollingstock]

There's no fingerprint or DNA database, police still use ink and paper to take prints

I can solve that, instead of ink, cut the finger, and use the blood as ink,,, Finger print + DNA

I cant solve the database problem doh

There is a full A.F.I.S database.

[brickman]

*Sighs*
Oh 2020,patos was gonna make you so awesome

[Humes]

Trinidad is actually the laughing stock of the entire developed world

Trinidad would have to be known to be a laughing stock. Very, very few people in the developed world or the developing world study Trinidad.

bro, the world knows that a Trinidadian killed Michael Jackson

But he isn't even a Trinidadian. He was born in another Caribbean island, spent a few years here, and spent the rest of his life elsewhere.

[Bizzare]

i am so tired of having to tell ppl i am from Trinidad and Tobago and they twist their

Where dis happen, In the middle east orr ..... never happened to me.

[~Vēġó~]

agreed with pioneer!!!!

[bushwakka]

we hav technology here?

[nareshseep]

As I was saying sometime before, this is the normal trend for countries to get develop status

agriculture age -> industrial age -> information age

T&T is still stuck in the industrial age, or so I would like to think. All countries need agriculture, industries, and it infrastructure. Well we forget that we need agriculture lol, pushing declining industries, and are not becoming it aware, cept for the fancy cellphones.. bwahhaha.. recipe for white collar crime.

[lostallos101]

some of them things i have been saying for a long time....we have so much money and everyone keep saying we coping usa....we should...atleast they get sheit done.....one of leader in Tech innovation, modernized....we should be like that....

example like the guy said above bout the police car....american police cars are refitted with a ton fo wiring with tech in it....they say they wanna stop speeding....how?? someone have the ability to measure the speed someone going with their eyes??

doh let me start with the mobile services....we should be rocking 3G all now....we like BBM so much, imagine it with 3G features...we will go nuts

we not innovative at all...look barbados is considered "developed" now....a smaller, not as rich countries have best health care, wifi all over the country everything....wah we have??

sigh its so annoying and depressing....i love this country but i dunno nah

[mitsuboi]

Jus look at all our politicians...they r d laughin stock...from d way dey conduct themselves


U don't see Obama or any other first world country's politicians brayin into d mike ...they always conduct themself with respect

But seriously what is d keepback....we have qualified ppl an we have d resources

[kurpal_v2]

i am so tired of having to tell ppl i am from Trinidad and Tobago and they twist their

Where dis happen, In the middle east orr ..... never happened to me.

Happened to me in Dubai, singapore, cambodia, phuket, australia, bangkok and a couple other places. Most people were quick to say "ent dwight yorke from dey?"

[Bizzare]

Phucket? Lol. First time hearing that....

[biggy82]

i am so tired of having to tell ppl i am from Trinidad and Tobago and they twist their

Where dis happen, In the middle east orr ..... never happened to me.

Happened to me in Dubai, singapore, cambodia, phuket, australia, bangkok and a couple other places. Most people were quick to say "ent dwight yorke from dey?"

bhai, dat is not de worst. a Lebanese tell me once "You from Trinidad? yea, that's where David Nakid is from right?"

[ruffneck_12]

howz about we take the initiative , form our own political party of great thinkers, IT techs, engineers, etc
and run against the PP


we shall call this party, ruffneck_12
cuz I made it up

[Sierra-117]

howz about we take the initiative , form our own political party of great thinkers, IT techs, engineers, etc
and run against the PP


we shall call this party, ruffneck_12
cuz I made it up

well that was the idea behind the pp. and we all know how thats turning out.....

[geodude]

i am so tired of having to tell ppl i am from Trinidad and Tobago and they twist their

Where dis happen, In the middle east orr ..... never happened to me.

Happened to me in Dubai, singapore, cambodia, phuket, australia, bangkok and a couple other places. Most people were quick to say "ent dwight yorke from dey?"

bhai, dat is not de worst. a Lebanese tell me once "You from Trinidad? yea, that's where David Nakid is from right?"

lets see in latin america alone, i have had numerous ppl from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Colombia all ask what is Trinidad and i have to tell them a small island in the Caribbean.

And i had the same experience with all my friends from Russia, Romania, and also a large number of ppl from india have asked the same thing.
The Indians are like the funniest, cause most time in the airport they come up to me and are like, "are you Indian?"
and i have to be like "no i am Trinidadian" and they are like "wtf is that",
so then i need to explain that after slavery ppl from India came to the Caribbean to work, and then they say "Caribbean, ooo West Indies, Brian Lara!!!."

[kurpal_v2]

i am so tired of having to tell ppl i am from Trinidad and Tobago and they twist their

Where dis happen, In the middle east orr ..... never happened to me.

Happened to me in Dubai, singapore, cambodia, phuket, australia, bangkok and a couple other places. Most people were quick to say "ent dwight yorke from dey?"

bhai, dat is not de worst. a Lebanese tell me once "You from Trinidad? yea, that's where David Nakid is from right?"

lets see in latin america alone, i have had numerous ppl from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Colombia all ask what is Trinidad and i have to tell them a small island in the Caribbean.

And i had the same experience with all my friends from Russia, Romania, and also a large number of ppl from india have asked the same thing.
The Indians are like the funniest, cause most time in the airport they come up to me and are like, "are you Indian?"
and i have to be like "no i am Trinidadian" and they are like "wtf is that",
so then i need to explain that after slavery ppl from India came to the Caribbean to work, and then they say "Caribbean, ooo West Indies, Brian Lara!!!."

Noooo if your taxi man/salesman is indian and he asks if you from india just say yes and you from Mithapur, shake your head while you talk and talk fast and vex you sure to get the best price.

[Mr_Carz]

Simple - cuz government after government are a bunch of illiterate, nasty, greedy drug runners.

Technology would affect their trade.

Police still have no computers in their cars, border control doesn't exist. Hell we don't even have radar guns

There's no fingerprint or DNA database, police still use ink and paper to take prints

But have no fear, put up a few big buildings and fool people with an illusion of being "developed"

wow, so true and well said, pioneer gettin on baii !! LOL

[RASC]

Is drugs you mention there?
Watch this thread disappear.
The TriniTuners who deal in drugs...would suddenly stop posting.

[TRAE]

ah feeling bad

[RASC]

Or delete their accounts?

Matter of fact they deny Trinidad is even affected by the drug trade, nothing happens here. All businesses are legit, black boats don't come round here. All transshipping companies are 100% legit.

No problem here, America has the problem.

Isn't the gov't trying to make it mandatory for political parties to name their financiers during election campaigns?

Watch this bill NEVER pass...especially under this regime.
Some chunas might have to go into hiding... Panamanian Passport anyone?

[ek4ever]

That was one poorly-written article. Amateurish from the first sentence.

It read more like some disgruntled Trini techie b*tching about stuff on his blog (yes, I saw the URL) than a professional doing a real analysis. The part about BB and "in-crowds" was especially amusing.

In fact, with his constant exaggerations, overly personal perspective and sensationalistic title, he sounds like he could be someone from this forum.

Well put....some of the information here is also inaccurate and the writer fails to do an in depth analysis of the issues.