Cuba USA
EFE reports that ETECSA plans to offer home Internet connectivity in the fourth quarter of 2014. They also hinted that some mobile connectivity may be offered at that time.
The connections will use DSL, not dial up, according to Jorge Legrá, Director of Strategic Programs ETECSA.
There was no mention of the costs of the home service or the places it would be available. It is clear that Cuba's poor domestic Internet infrastructure is hampering wider usage.
Legrá also discussed the new Nauta access centers, saying that ETECSA sold about 11,000 accounts in the first 15 days they were offered. He acknowledged that prices were high and would be adjusted over time.
Legrá also gave a glimpse of the surveillance in the centers -- users must present identity documents to get online and a session can be suspended for "any violation of the standards of ethical behavior that promotes the Cuban state."
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Update 7/11/2013
The New York Times has an article on the new access centers -- anecdotes and opinion as to what they foretell.
- Year End Interview Of The President Of Etecsa
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- Verizon Roaming In Cuba -- Much Ado About Not Much
While Verizon customers may be able to make $2.99 per minute 2G calls, it seems their $2.05 per megabyte data service will be limited to few locations. President Obama is continuing to use executive powers to nibble away at the embargo. Some US companies...
- Interviews Of Etecsa Officials
Juventud Rebelde published a summary of what seems to have been a three hour online question and answer session between their readers (at least the ones with Internet access :-) and ETECSA officials. They talked about ETECSA's data center, which has...
- Etecsa Officials Provide Some Details And Make Some Promises
Etecsa officials held a press conference in which they made the point that the 118 new Internet access rooms are just the start of improved Internet service. They promised lower prices, more access rooms, WiFi in access rooms, mobile connectivity, etc.,...
- New Public Access Will Open June 4
The undersea cable link between Cuba and Jamaica came online in mid May and that connection may now be bearing fruit. Etecsa will open 118 new public access centers on June 4. It is noteworthy that the access centers are dispersed throughout the island....
Cuba USA
Home connectivity is coming 4Q 2014 and there are 11,000 Nauta accounts
The connections will use DSL, not dial up, according to Jorge Legrá, Director of Strategic Programs ETECSA.
There was no mention of the costs of the home service or the places it would be available. It is clear that Cuba's poor domestic Internet infrastructure is hampering wider usage.
Legrá also discussed the new Nauta access centers, saying that ETECSA sold about 11,000 accounts in the first 15 days they were offered. He acknowledged that prices were high and would be adjusted over time.
Legrá also gave a glimpse of the surveillance in the centers -- users must present identity documents to get online and a session can be suspended for "any violation of the standards of ethical behavior that promotes the Cuban state."
-----
Update 7/11/2013
The New York Times has an article on the new access centers -- anecdotes and opinion as to what they foretell.
- Year End Interview Of The President Of Etecsa
"The people want to be connected." ETECSA president, ingeniera Mayra Arevich Marín Maya Arevich Marín has been president of ETECSA for four years. The following are a few points from a recent year-end interview. Internet access was improved through...
- Verizon Roaming In Cuba -- Much Ado About Not Much
While Verizon customers may be able to make $2.99 per minute 2G calls, it seems their $2.05 per megabyte data service will be limited to few locations. President Obama is continuing to use executive powers to nibble away at the embargo. Some US companies...
- Interviews Of Etecsa Officials
Juventud Rebelde published a summary of what seems to have been a three hour online question and answer session between their readers (at least the ones with Internet access :-) and ETECSA officials. They talked about ETECSA's data center, which has...
- Etecsa Officials Provide Some Details And Make Some Promises
Etecsa officials held a press conference in which they made the point that the 118 new Internet access rooms are just the start of improved Internet service. They promised lower prices, more access rooms, WiFi in access rooms, mobile connectivity, etc.,...
- New Public Access Will Open June 4
The undersea cable link between Cuba and Jamaica came online in mid May and that connection may now be bearing fruit. Etecsa will open 118 new public access centers on June 4. It is noteworthy that the access centers are dispersed throughout the island....