Cuba lifts mobile restrictions

Cuba on Friday announced it is to allow all Cubans to own and use mobile phones for the first time, as part of recently-selected leader Raul Castro's initiative to lift restrictions on consumer electronics, according to press reports.
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"Priority will be given to the municipalities with the lowest phone density and to areas with more than 300 inhabitants that are still lacking a telephone service," said a report in Cuba's Granma.

Phones will be offered on prepaid contracts in convertible Cuban pesos (CUCs) – essentially a tourist currency - which, according to Reuters are worth 24 times more than the Cuban pesos in which ordinary wages are paid.

A report by the Associated Press said that although Cuba's Communist government provides people with free housing, healthcare and education, and food ration cards, the average monthly salary is just below $20.

Still, state telecom operator ETECSA Friday said the lifted restrictions will pave the way for an investment programme which will be used to extend telecommunications services across the country, which are already available in ordinary pesos.

"It was an obvious measure. There will have to be more like it to get rid of the thousand and one obstacles that make life bitter in Cuba," said 23 year-old university student Jofre Valdes, in the Reuters report.

Until now, mobile services have been restricted to foreigners, and government officials and employees.

However, some Cubans already have handsets registered under names of foreigners or their companies.

Since succeeding his ailing older brother Fidel in February, Raul Castro has pledged to lift restrictions on the lives of ordinary Cubans.

Indeed, from next month, ownership of computers and DVD players will also be permitted.

totaltele.com