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A fire that damaged the telecommunications network in Guanabo has left residents of Boca Ciega, central Guanabo, Peñas Altas, and El Comino without fixed-line phone service and access to mobile data internet.
The state-owned company ETECSA reported a breakdown and assured that its technicians are working to restore the service as quickly as possible. "We apologize for the inconvenience caused," they stated in the announcement.

The telecommunications outage affects hundreds of citizens who rely on these services for communication, work, and access to information. So far, the authorities have not specified the extent of the damage or the estimated time for a complete restoration of the connection.
The incident adds to a series of recurring failures in Cuba's telecommunications infrastructure, where complaints about internet outages, slow browsing speeds, and issues with phone services are common.
A few days ago, a large fire at the intersection of Rafael Ferro and Máximo Gómez streets in the municipality of Pinar del Río caused significant damage to the fixed telecommunications service network.
This incident caused partial interruptions in seven multi-pair copper cable outfits and damaged a wooden pole, affecting users from several streets and the Hermanos Saiz University.
At the end of February, the electrical crisis in Cuba caused a collapse in telecommunications, which ETECSA had no choice but to acknowledge, due to the fact that they lack energy backup in many of their radio bases.
The company recommended that the public configure their devices to connect only to the 2G network, in order to maintain basic communications and the use of the Transfermóvil payment platform.
In mid-January, numerous users across various locations on the island reported issues with mobile data service. ETECSA confirmed that these issues were due to a technical failure that was being assessed and addressed by their team of specialists.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Fire in Guanabo and its Consequences on Telecommunications
How has the fire in Guanabo affected telecommunications services?
The fire in Guanabo has left residents of Boca Ciega, the center of Guanabo, Peñas Altas, and El Comino without fixed-line telephone service and access to mobile data internet. This incident exacerbates the instability in telecommunications in Cuba, where outages and failures are common.
What is ETECSA doing to resolve the telecommunications issues following the fire?
ETECSA has informed that their technicians are working to restore the service as quickly as possible. However, they have not specified the full extent of the damages or the estimated time for complete restoration of the connection, which is causing uncertainty among those affected.
Why are cuts and failures in telecommunications frequent in Cuba?
The telecommunications infrastructure in Cuba is fragile and suffers from a lack of maintenance and modernization. Incidents like the fire in Guanabo and other recent events, such as technical failures and blackouts, highlight systematic issues in the management of the country's telecommunications system, overseen by the state monopoly ETECSA.
What other locations have experienced similar outages recently?
Recently, areas such as Pinar del Río also experienced massive interruptions in their telecommunications services due to fires and other incidents. Additionally, the passage of hurricanes and widespread blackouts have left much of the island without access to communication services, highlighting the shortcomings of the current system.
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