ETECSA and SES Sign Deal to Bring Internet Connectivity to Cuba

This just in.  The internet and Cuba:  It would appear there is no need, after all,  for an Internet Task Force which the U.S. government was promising.   SES, a global satellite company has just announced the following on their website.

ETECSA, Cuba’s national telecommunications company, has just signed a deal with SES for satellite services to bring internet connectivity to the Island.  It appears that the Cuban government promise to bring the internet to all Cubans is well ahead the target date of 2020.

The following is from today’s press release:

“A new system based on satellites’ reliable connectivity will ensure the Cuban national telecommunications operator can diversify connectivity on the main island of Cuba.

Cubans and visitors to Cuba will have additional access to reliable and uninterrupted connectivity throughout the main island of Cuba as ETECSA, Cuba’s national telecommunications operator, signed a deal with SES Networks for satellite services, SES announced today.

SES Networks will augment ETECSA’s existing terrestrial infrastructure with its high-performance fibre-like medium earth orbit (MEO) capacity and improve connectivity for end-customers of the Cuban operator.

“By working with SES Networks, we are ensuring that our customers across the main island will have a new way to access high-performing Internet at all times through this innovative satellite system. Our collaboration with SES Networks highlights ETECSA’s mission of providing telecommunications services that meet the current and future needs of Cuban citizens and our customers, as well as contributing to the country’s socio-economic growth,” said Ing. Mayra Arevich Marín, executive president of ETECSA.

“The opportunity to work with organisations such as ETECSA that are consistently looking for ways to bring more reliable connectivity to their people is incredibly rewarding,” said Steve Collar, CEO of SES Networks. “Our unique network capabilities and suite of managed services allows ETECSA to guarantee their customers access to the best satellite internet technology available.”

ETECSA provides public telecommunications services throughout the territory of the Republic of Cuba.