Technology

Haitel became Haiti's original mobile phone system in 1998. In a licensing agreement, worth $14.5 million, Haitel received authorization to use Les Telecommunications d'Haiti's (Teleco) radio frequency band for a period of 15 years. Under the agreement Teleco and Haitel were to resolve any disagreements in a Haitian court.

Matters became complicated when the parties signed a second agreement in 1998, in which Haitel held shares in escrow as collateral to secure its debt to Teleco. An arbitration clause specified the two firms seek arbitration for any conflicts.

The trouble began when Teleco said Haitel made use of the frequency band from 1998 to 2007, but stopped paying licensing fees. Teleco demanded Haitel honor its debt under the licensing agreement. Haitel said it owed Teleco just $4.8 million under the shareholder agreement, and it would be paid in stocks, not cash.

Teleco insists the shareholders agreement is not valid because no evidence exists Teleco's board of directors ever authorized the general manager to mediate or sign the shareholder's agreement. U.S. District Judge Jack Weinstein agreed in a ruling he made on the case.

Teleco is suing Haitel for $240 million for licensing agreement fees Haitel defaulted on from 1998 to 2007 Haitel wants to go to arbitration, but has forfeited its rights according to Haitian law by being involved in protracted legal proceedings in Haiti.

Currently Teleco's legal action against Haitel is awaiting a ruling from Haiti's High Court, while Haitel is in bankruptcy proceedings.

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Here is a view of the new website launched by the Haitian government that is expected to make life much easier for the public. The Administrative Information Centre (CRA)

Administrative Information Center Delivers Easy-to-Use Experience for Citizens

The Haitian government has implemented a new service for citizens to use public services without getting caught in a bureaucratic maze. Called the Administrative Information Center (CRA), it is a website portal directing users to public services information.

Inter-American Development Bank funded CRA for $900,000 USD. Ronald Decembre, Tax Reform Secretary says CRA adds ". . . to the quality of services offered to the population . . ." Haitian-Canadian company, GENINOV, engineered and built CRA.

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Surtab has unveiled its brand new touch-screen tablet, the first of its kind to be manufactured in Haiti. Adding to this patriotically attractive feature, is the equally appealing price-tag. With a factory price of US$85 or US$100 retail, the Wi-Fi version should prove an economically viable option for most Haitians, young and old, who can realize their goal of owning a tablet, with the Android OS at their fingertips, brought to them by the effort of their fellow Haitians.

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Surtab has manufactured the first tablet in Haiti, in WI-FI and 3G models. Surtab CEO, Maarten Boute, says the device is being offered at a price within the means of Haitian professionals and students.

Prime Minister Lamothe held a demonstration of Surtab, which will make users inclusive in the worldwide use of Internet apps. The WI-FI tablet will sell for $100 retail and 3G at $200.

Surtab wants to capture other Caribbean markets like Jamaica and the Turk and Caicos Islands.

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Prime Minister Lamothe got a sneak peek at Google's new self-driving vehicle during his visit to the company. Google plans to roll out a fleet of self-automated (SA) vehicles as soon as drive-testing is completed. With hundreds of thousands of miles driven, no malfunctions have occurred.

Tesla and Nissan also have plans to release SA vehicles. Tesla wants to design an auto that will perform 90% of driving tasks; Nissan wants to offer affordable SA vehicles to consumers by 2020.

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If the Haitian government could have his way, he would ban the use of new technologies such as Skype and MagicJack in Haiti. These new technologies represent a problem for them as the government had big plan to collect fee on long distance phone calls.

The Director of the National Council of Telecommunications (Conatel), came out to say it that the impact of internet calls with devices such as magicJack, Skype in Haiti is not positive for the government.

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A gig welcome to Haiti into the future. haiti-technology-welcome-to-the-future

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Biometrics is a science identifying individuals by physical and behavioral markers. It provides verification of personal identity through several recognition factors, including fingerprints, facial, and voice recognition.

Biometrics can also identify characteristics like typing rhythm, one's walk, and scent recognition.

Biometrics is used to screen persons seeking entry into a country. This screening protects personal information in case of loss or theft. Entertainment parks use biometrics to insure the same person is using a ride ticket every day.

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National Council of Telecommunications gave a reckoning of taxes paid and forthcoming to National Fund for Education (FNE).

Telecommunication companies, Comcel, Digicel, and Natcom rendered a total of $58 million USD. Still to be paid are $5 million USD from them all. Central Bank also gave an accounting of $78.4 million USD in transfer fees.

Monies are to be used by FNE for a public education system. Before being released, Parliament must ratify a bill dictating disbursement of monies for the project.

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Here is a picture of the Logo for the Vietnamese telecommunications company, Viettel after purchasing Haiti TELECO.

Since TELECO was replaced by Natcom Telephone Company, things do not look the same any more and the demands and the stress imposed on the workers are no longer the same.

Many employees of the new Natcom Telephone Company have been complaining about lack of respect and support accorded to them

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