Ericsson and ETECSA strengthen partnership for mobile connectivity in Cuba – Cuba
Jamaica pushes hard for telemedicine adoption – Jamaica
Liberty Global partners with Netflix to integrate content in 30+ countries – Regional
Lava Jato: Brazil showing that ‘law is respected’ – Regional
China, India now the world’s largest internet markets – Regional

Ericsson and ETECSA strengthen partnership for mobile connectivity in Cuba – Cuba
Press release
By Ericsson
September 20, 2016
In response to Cuba’s voice and data traffic growth and increasing demand for advanced mobile services, ETECSA has extended its strategic partnership with Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) to improve, and will continue joint efforts to enhance, customers’ mobile connectivity experience.
Today, Cuba’s mobile coverage is available to approximately 85% of the population via 2G technology, while in the provincial capitals, tourism centers, and areas of economic interest 3G technology is used. In general, the country has approximately 33% mobile penetration and ETECSA plans to offer new value-added mobile services.
ETECSA highlights that meeting its customers’ expectations and delivering high-quality services are priorities, and that it is important to work constantly to make improvements in these areas. Having Ericsson as a partner helps the operator to expand and improve its mobile services offering to its subscribers.
Tania Velázquez, CMO of ETECSA says: “At ETECSA, we value innovation and the skills to provide excellence in service; we have made huge efforts in delivering an unbeatable customer experience in mobile services. Together with Ericsson, we will be able to provide our customers with superior services and performance.”
“Ericsson has supported ETECSA since the beginning, and has had a key role in most of the company’s startups. This agreement confirms our commitment to further contribute to the success of ETECSA in this challenging market environment. It also represents a significant recognition of Ericsson’s technological leadership and our ability to sustain ETECSA in its future successful business growth,” remarked Clayton Cruz, Vice-president Ericsson Latin America and Caribbean.
ETECSA and Ericsson have enjoyed a long-term partnership since 1994, based on a common commitment to enhancing the telecom experience for Cuban customers.

Jamaica pushes hard for telemedicine adoption – Jamaica
The Jamaican government has asked the heads of the country’s main teaching hospital, the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), to take steps towards establishing a telemedicine platform.
Health minister Christopher Tufton presented his request to James Moss Solomon, the hospital’s chair, and Dr. Carl Bruce, acting medical chief of staff, who will travel to Panama to view the technology in action, reported the Jamaica Information Services (JIS).
Bruce pointed out that the idea is to use larger institutions, such as the UHWI, Cornwall Regional Hospital, and Kingston Public Hospital, to use their capacity and expertise in order to administer patient care remotely to those hospitals that lack resources.
Tufton, who recently announced plans to regularize telemedicine in local hospitals, said he envisions having the infrastructure installed in smaller healthcare facilities so that patients are not required to travel long distances for certain procedures, the Jamaica Gleaner reported.
“Telemedicine is very big internationally. Imaging can be administered in America, the results read in India and transmitted back. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t have that here in Jamaica,” JIS quoted him as saying.
While Jamaica is taking its first steps towards telemedicine, Brazil has 122 telemedicine units across the country’s teaching hospitals.

Liberty Global partners with Netflix to integrate content in 30+ countries – Regional
Press release
By Liberty Global
September 16, 2016
Liberty Global, the world’s largest international cable TV and broadband company, today revealed a multi-year partnership with Netflix Inc. which will lead to Netflix’s content being made available to Liberty Global video customers across more than 30 countries around the world.
The launch of the Netflix service on Liberty Global’s advanced digital television platforms will bring critically acclaimed original Netflix series and wide range of movies and kids’ programming to Liberty Global’s video subscribers across Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.
The partnership follows the successful UK launch of Netflix on Virgin Media in 2013. It is the latest example of Liberty Global’s commitment to its customers to bring them the very best in entertainment, all conveniently available on their TV, tablet or mobile phone. Liberty Global’s digital TV platforms, like Horizon, bring together the world of broadcast, on demand and online content in a fully integrated and multi-device user experience.
The agreement with Netflix complements Liberty Global’s investment in content through acquisitions, partnerships and original commissions alongside the $2.5 billion spent each year on licensed content for its video platforms.
Mike Fries, CEO of Liberty Global, said, “We are committed to bringing the best content to our customers, and are thrilled to expand our partnership with Netflix. This deal will provide even more freedom to our subscribers – allowing them to access a goldmine of amazing TV and films at the click of a button, fully integrated into their usual TV viewing set-up.” Reed Hastings, Netflix CEO, said, “This partnership builds on our strong relationship with Virgin Media in the UK, allowing millions of our mutual customers around the world to easily access the broadest range of TV shows and movies without having to search for that other remote control. Combining the Netflix app – and all the great content it provides – into the familiar, easy-to-use cable box makes both more appealing.”
The Netherlands will be the first new Liberty Global territory to launch Netflix on the Horizon box as part of this partnership. The rollout will advance to other countries as technological upgrades across all of Liberty Global’s operations continue through 2017.
When the Netflix app launches on Liberty Global’s advanced digital platforms, existing Netflix members will be able to log-in and easily search and browse through Netflix’s line-up on the main TV screen, eliminating the need to have a separate device and to switch between TV inputs and remote controls. New customers to Netflix can simply sign up via the app right on the TV and begin to immediately enjoy this easy and convenient user experience.
The launch of the new Netflix app expands Liberty Global’s deep and rich collection of On Demand entertainment, with up to 6,000 hours of movies, TV series and documentaries ready to watch via services such as MyPrime and Play enhanced through popular innovations like catch-up and Replay TV which provide immediate access to the best shows from the most popular broadcast and cable channels.
About Liberty Global
Liberty Global is the world’s largest international TV and broadband company, with operations in more than 30 countries across Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. Liberty Global invests in the infrastructure that empowers its customers to make the most of the digital revolution. Liberty Global’s scale and commitment to innovation enables it to develop market-leading products delivered through next-generation networks that connect its 29 million customers who subscribe to over 59 million television, broadband internet and telephony services. Liberty Global also serves 11 million mobile subscribers and offer WiFi service across seven million access points.
Liberty Global’s businesses are comprised of two stocks: the Liberty Global Group (NASDAQ: LBTYA, LBTYB and LBTYK) for its European operations, and the LiLAC Group (NASDAQ: LILA and LILAK, OTC Link: LILAB), which consists of its operations in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Lava Jato: Brazil showing that ‘law is respected’ – Regional
The vast Lava Jato corruption probe, blamed for tipping Brazil into a spiraling economic and political crisis, could be a blessing in disguise, the CEO of energy company Voltalia do Brasil told BNamericas in an interview.
“Maybe the foundation in Brazil wasn’t healthy,” Robert Klein said on the sidelines of the BNamericas LatAm Leaders Forum in Miami.
“I don’t know many countries in the world where ministers go to jail. I think Brazil is showing the world that it is democratic, that there is justice, that the law is respected. It provides a good example for kids that they can trust their justice system.”
Voltalia is developing a 1.2GW wind power project in Brazil’s northeastern state of Rio Grande do Norte. When complete, the Serra Branca complex will be one of the world’s biggest wind farm clusters, and the largest in Latin America.
Klein rejected the idea that companies needed corruption to be successful in Brazil.
“Doing things by the book, as we do, is all you need in the renewable sector in Brazil,” he said. “Maybe it’s because renewables are so well regulated with [watchdog] Aneel and [development bank] BNDES. I’m very proud to say that we can work honestly and have been successful honestly.”
In addition to Brazil, Voltalia is seeking new opportunities in Mexico following the acquisition of Martifer Solar, Klein said.


China, India now the world’s largest internet markets – Regional
India has overtaken the United States to become the world’s second largest Internet market, with 333 million users, trailing China’s 721 million. But a new report released today by the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development also confirms that just six nations – including China and India – together account for 55% of the total global population stilloffline, because of the sheer size of their populations.
While Internet access is approaching saturation in richer nations, connectivity is still not advancing fast enough to help bridge development gaps in areas like education and health care for those in poorer parts of the world, according to the 2016 edition of The State of Broadband report.
Globally, an estimated 3.9 billion people are not using the Internet. But the Commission’s new report estimates that, between them, China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria account for 55% of all unconnected people, while 20 countries – including the US – account for a full 75% of those not using the Internet. These findings suggest that targeted efforts in just a few key markets could help enormously in redressing the gaping ‘digital divide’ between those who are online and those still offline.
For full text see: http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2016/35.aspx

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