Russia and Cuba Sign Telecommunications MOU

Cuba and Russia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on telecommunications, March 25, a further strengthening of bilateral relations between the two nations. The MOU involves cyber-security, technology education, and a reduction of roaming rates.

The telecommunications and technology agreement was signed by the Ministry of Communications of Cuba and Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media.

The MOU is intended to strengthen collaboration in the field of telecommunications.

The Cuban-Russian technology working group met in Havana. Also present at the signing ceremony were Cuban Communications Minister Jorge Luis Perdomo, Russia’s Ambassador to Cuba Andrei Guskov, and executives of many Russian hi-tech companies, Security Code LLC , RusITExport (RITE), Rostec, among others.

According to the TASS news agency, Russia made the suggestion that Cuba should run tests on data security of both Cuban citizens and government institutions with equipment manufactured by the company, Security Code LLC.

The working group will also take a look at reducing roaming rates between Cuba and Russia.

Agreements were also reached in the areas of technology education.

After the signing ceremony, Russia’s Communications Minister Minister Mamonov stated, “Russia highly values its true friends, allies and the countries, with which we have developed similar attitudes to world problems and information technology development trends. Cuba is one of such countries.”

The Communications Minister also noted during the negotiations that Cuba had stressed its desire to cooperate with Russia in the sphere of cyber-security and the development of ecommerce.

Mamonov also said of the meetings, “We agreed on some new projects that can be implemented in interaction with Russian communications operators in the context of developing the 3G network in Cuba.”

The MOU will further strengthen the Russia-Cuba relationship, build reliable data storage systems on the Island, secure data transmission and promote the use of Russian IT products in the Latin American region.