In its crusade to prevent Cubans from accessing the internet through alternative means and to maintain the monopoly held by the state-owned ETECSA (Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba S.A.) over communications on the island, the Cuban regime recently thwarted, through the General Customs of the Republic, an attempt to introduce 20 Starlink satellite devices at José Martí International Airport in Havana.
The information was revealed by Wiliam Pérez González, the first deputy chief of the General Customs of the Republic, who announced on his official account on X that the devices arrived on a flight from the United States and that their importation violated "the regulations and norms in effect in the country."
"Cuba's Customs Agency obstructed the illegal entry of 20 Starlink satellite devices on a flight from the U.S. into Havana airport, violating the regulations and standards in effect in the country. The established measures were enforced," wrote the official.
Although no details were provided about those responsible for the attempt or the intended destination of the equipment, the authorities made it clear that the established penalties for this type of violation were enforced.
Starlink, a satellite internet service developed by the American company SpaceX, allows its users to connect from remote areas without relying on traditional terrestrial infrastructure.
In the Cuban case, its potential represents a way to bypass the connection solely controlled by ETECSA, which has elicited the regime's rejection, as it maintains strict restrictions on free and uncensored access to the internet.
The Cuban regime warned on Wednesday about the illegal use of internet antennas, repeaters, and even the feared Starlink, that satellite heresy from Elon Musk that threatens ETECSA's monopoly on the island.
The official daily Granma published an article stating that the importation of these devices—many of which are sold on the platform Revolico—are "violations" that "threaten the quality and sovereignty of the radio spectrum" and "have legal repercussions as outlined in the Penal Code."
"The use of antennas and signal repeaters that have been illegally imported and marketed to improve coverage in a restricted area negatively impacts the quality of communication services, causing approximately 6% of cells nationwide to be interfered with," the regime states.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Attempted Entry of Starlink Equipment in Cuba
Why did Cuban customs prohibit the entry of Starlink equipment?
The Cuban customs authorities prohibited the entry of Starlink equipment because they violate the current regulations in the country, which maintain strict control over telecommunications to protect the state monopoly of ETECSA.
What is Starlink and why is it considered a threat to the Cuban regime?
Starlink is a satellite internet service developed by SpaceX that allows users to connect to the internet from remote areas without relying on terrestrial infrastructure. In Cuba, it is seen as a threat because it provides an alternative to ETECSA's exclusive control of the internet, the state provider.
What are the penalties for attempting to bring Starlink equipment into Cuba?
The penalties for attempting to introduce Starlink equipment into Cuba include confiscation of the devices and possible legal actions, as this is considered a violation of telecommunications regulations and the current Penal Code.
How does the use of Starlink affect the quality of ETECSA's services?
The Cuban regime argues that the use of Starlink and other unapproved devices interferes with the signal of radio bases, affecting the quality of phone and mobile network services in the country, although this stance also responds to interests of political and economic control.
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