ETECSA to Launch Internet Today on Mobile Phones

Cuba’s telecommunication company ETECSA has announced that internet data services will be available on all mobile phones as of December 6.  However, many people found they were able to access the internet yesterday evening via their cellular phones.

The new service benefits from the recently completed 3G network and is a further step in improvements to the mobile telephone infrastructure following the launch of the internet home access in 2017 and the creation of public wifi zones started in 2013.  Cuba will have opened up more than 1200 Wi-Fi hotspots by the end of this year. However, internet access remains limited due to infrastructural reasons, difficulties created by the U.S. embargo, and by the high cost of telephone and data connection services.

ETECSA is selling data for mobile access at prices ranging from seven CUCs for 600 megabytes to 30 CUCs for four GIGs with bonuses of 300 megabytes for access to Cuban internet websites.  The prices are reasonable for those living outside of Cuba but still remain expensive for Cuban citizens with average monthly salaries.

This advance in internet access and services to mobile phones is line with the government agenda that all Cubans will have access to the internet by 2020.