The new measure from the Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba S.A (ETECSA) limits the top-up in national currency to 360 CUP every 30 days.
With that balance, you could only purchase, at best, a 6 GB package, which represents a severe restriction for daily internet use in Cuba.
To better understand it, this is what 6 GB allows in terms of approximate browsing:
- WhatsApp (text only): over 6,000 hours of chat.
- Basic internet navigation: about 120 hours.
- Social media (moderate use): approximately 60 hours.
- YouTube in standard quality (480p): only 12 hours.
- Video calls or online classes: between 8 and 10 hours.
- TikTok, Reels or Instagram videos: only 8 hours.
- Streaming music (Spotify/YouTube Music): about 150 hours.
But be very careful! If you use applications that update in the background, or if you enable HD quality on platforms like YouTube or Netflix, your package will be depleted in just a few hours.
This means that, with what ETECSA now allows in national currency, an average Cuban cannot maintain a stable connection, let alone engage in work, educational, or digital entertainment activities without access to foreign currency.
In a country where the minimum wage hovers around 2,100 CUP, this policy is not only exclusive, it is technically unsustainable.
However, our version for Cuba, which ensures free access to information, has all photos compressed to optimize data usage.
Additionally, it is 80% lighter in data and consumption than other websites.
The restrictive measures of ETECSA
According to the Institutional Communication Department of the state-owned company, prepaid service customers will only be able to top up their main balance up to a maximum of 360 CUP within a 30-day period.
Although users will still be able to use their available balance to purchase plans or make transfers, this new restriction marks a substantial change in the operation of the mobile service in national currency.
This measure responds, according to ETECSA, to the need to "develop and sustain the telecommunications service network in our country," as previously indicated by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz during the parliamentary sessions last December.
While the use of CUP is restricted, ETECSA is promoting new Extra DATA Plans in US dollars, which are now available through international cards and the MiTransfer Wallet.
These plans can be purchased at authorized commercial offices and offer:
- 4 GB for 10 USD.
- 8 GB + 75 MIN + 80 SMS for 20 USD.
- 16 GB for 35 USD.
All these "offers" include an additional 300 MB for domestic browsing, a component that remains unchanged.
New Extra DATA Plans in CUP have also been made available, accessible through Transfermóvil, Online Services, MiTransfer Wallet, and the commercial network.
These packages would be as follows:
- 3 GB for 3,360 CUP.
- 7 GB for 6,720 CUP.
- 15 GB for 11,760 CUP.
Each of these plans also includes 300 MB for domestic browsing. However, the prices in Cuban pesos are excessively high, reaching figures that far exceed the minimum wage in the country, which is around 3,000 CUP.
Frequently Asked Questions about ETECSA's New Measures in Cuba
What new restrictions has ETECSA implemented for top-ups in CUP?
ETECSA has limited recharges in Cuban pesos (CUP) to a maximum of 360 CUP every 30 days. This measure means that users can only purchase a basic package of 6 GB, which severely restricts internet access in a country where the minimum wage is approximately 3,000 CUP. The restrictions aim to "sustain the telecommunications service network," although they have generated widespread rejection for being deemed exclusionary and economically unsustainable.
How does the dollarization of ETECSA services affect Cubans?
The dollarization of ETECSA services primarily affects Cubans who do not have access to foreign currency. The new data plans priced in dollars offer options such as 4 GB for 10 USD, making internet access a privilege for those who receive remittances from abroad. This measure deepens economic inequality and limits connectivity for a large part of the population, consolidating a monetary duality in an essential service.
What are the new prices for data plans in CUP offered by ETECSA?
ETECSA has set high prices for data plans in Cuban pesos (CUP), which are: 3 GB for 3,360 CUP, 7 GB for 6,720 CUP, and 15 GB for 11,760 CUP. These prices are unaffordable for most Cubans, whose average monthly income is around 3,000 CUP. The rates are considered excessive and have faced criticism for being unsustainable for the population that does not have access to hard currency.
What justifications has ETECSA provided for these new measures?
ETECSA justifies the new measures as necessary to sustain and develop the country's telecommunications network. However, this justification has been perceived as a mockery by many users, who believe that the quality of service has not improved despite the high rates and ongoing restrictions. The company also mentions the need to "enhance new sources of income," which has been met with skepticism and widespread criticism.
How has the Cuban population reacted to the new measures from ETECSA?
The Cuban population has reacted with indignation and rejection to the new measures from ETECSA. Many users have expressed their frustration on social media, labeling the measures as "armed robbery" and a way to increase economic inequality. The exclusion of those without access to foreign currencies and the lack of improvements in service quality have been critical points in the public's reactions.
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