Impact on the Entire Cuban Population...
Widespread Discontent Reported
Monopoly Telecom Company Imposes Data Usage Limits
There is growing discontent in Cuba as mobile data rates, including those for cell phones, have risen sharply. At some universities, this has even led to students refusing to attend classes.
On June 5 (local time), Yonhap News reported, citing Cuban media outlets such as Cubadebate and 14ymedio, that ETECSA, Cuba's state-owned and monopoly telecommunications company, recently decided to limit the usage cap for subsidized mobile data plans.
According to the reports, the usage cap for subsidized mobile data plans, previously available for 360 pesos (CUP, approximately 1,400 KRW at the unofficial exchange rate), will be adjusted to 6GB per month. In addition, the rate for extra data has been set at 3,360 pesos (about 13,000 KRW) for 3GB.
14ymedio noted that this amount exceeds the monthly pension of 2,100 pesos (about 8,140 KRW) for retirees in Cuba, and is equivalent to nearly half of the average worker's monthly wage of 6,506 pesos (about 25,000 KRW).
ETECSA maintains that these changes to the data plans and the increase in data rates are unavoidable in order to improve service quality and upgrade infrastructure.
On the same day, Lydia Esder Hidalgo Rodriguez, Vice President of ETECSA, explained to the state-run media Granma that "the average data consumption per user in Cuba has increased significantly from 3.2GB in 2021 to the present," adding that "during this period, there have been approximately 745,000 cases of traffic disruptions due to breakdowns and equipment damage, and there was also an incident in which over 900 meters of cable were stolen."
This measure is expected to affect virtually the entire Cuban population. Since the average monthly data usage per person in Cuba is around 10GB, purchasing additional data will be unavoidable for those wishing to use online services as before.
In Cuba, where frequent power outages occur due to fuel shortages and aging infrastructure, mobile messengers such as WhatsApp and social networking services (SNS) are important tools for sharing information. It is also common in educational settings to distribute materials or educational videos to students via WhatsApp.
As a result, widespread dissatisfaction with the rate increases has been reported throughout the country.
Hundreds of critical comments have been posted on related articles on Cubadebate, and social media is filled with posts criticizing ETECSA. In particular, at the prestigious University of Havana, students have even resolved to boycott classes, reflecting the intensity of student opposition.
In response, ETECSA has tried to defuse the situation by expanding discounts for university students. However, foreign media report that "a sense of tension remains on campus."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
