CNBC: Cuba to roll out mobile internet for the first time
* Cuba’s state telecoms firm is to roll out a 3G cell phone service for the first time on Thursday.
* The cost of data seen as prohibitive to locals who average take home pay of $30 a month.
Cuba has announced that 3G internet access for cell phone users across the country will become available from Thursday.
The Caribbean island nation, which exists under communist rule, opened state-run internet cafes in 2013 and citizens have only had access to home internet and public Wi-Fi hotspots since 2017. In that same year, Google servers in Cuba went live, making the internet giant the first foreign internet company to host content in the country.
Announcing the deal on television on Tuesday night, executives from Cuba’s state telecom monopoly ETECSA said they will offer packages of data ranging from 600 MB for 7 convertible Cuban pesos ($7) to 4 GB for 30 Cuban pesos ($30).
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WNU Editor: The only reason why Cuba is now offering mobile internet for the first time is that ETECSA, Cuba's state run telecommunications monopoly, has the right "cage-builder" (China) to offer this very expensive (that is also broad band limited) service to its citizens. For more background information on Cuba's relationship with China in developing its internet, go here .... Is Cuba Building the Next Great “Cyber Wall” with China? (Foundation For Human rights In China). As for the future on the internet in Cuba .... this internet service will still be a hit. Kids and families will team up together to buy a phone and a plan, and share it among themselves. So instead of being responsible for spending $30/month, they may pay $3 but share the phone with 9 other families/friends/etc.. The problem for the Cuban government is that within 6 months to a year demands for a better service and cheaper rates will become an issue. On a side note .... the Cuban government is putting a new squeeze on the country's struggling entrepreneur class .... Cuba set to tighten screws on private sector (France 24).
More News On Cuba Offering 3G Internet Access For Cell Phone Users For The First Time
Cuba offers 3G mobile internet access to citizens -- BBC
Cuba to begin full internet access for mobile phones -- AP
Cuba is launching full internet access on mobile phones -- ABC News Online
A milestone: For first time, Cubans will have internet access on their cell phones -- NBC
Cuba Extends Internet To Mobile Phones, Promising New Access -- NPR
Cuba to finally give citizens internet access on their phones as government launches 3G service -- The Independent
Cuba to roll out mobile internet services amid concerns over cost -- Al Jazeera
