A young Cuban has sparked a wave of comments after posting a viral video in which she harshly criticizes the new pricing scheme of ETECSA. Her outburst, filled with frustration and sarcasm, reflects the sentiments of millions of Cubans who feel suffocated by the recent rate reform of the state telecommunications monopoly.
“What is this new charge ETECSA just implemented here in Cuba? Look, I’m going to have a heart attack; I could die from this blackout at any moment,” the young woman (@anita.cubanita64) begins, visibly upset. “A data package to connect costs more than a basic salary for anyone here in Cuba. How long will this go on?”
Throughout the video, the Cuban woman denounces that the new plans, both in national currency and in dollars, are absolutely unaffordable: “4 GB for 10 dollars. Where am I supposed to get 10 dollars from if I don't earn 10 dollars in a month and I am a teacher?”, she claimed. She also complained about the cheapest national package: “3 GB for 3,360 pesos, more than what I earn… that doesn’t get you anywhere”.
His desperation increases as he describes the new rates: “7 GB for 6,720 Cuban pesos, you watch two videos on Facebook and it's gone. 15 GB for 11,760 pesos... that's like four months of work.”
With painful irony, he compares the situation to that of a forgotten country: “Right now, we are, I don’t know… in Madagascar. We are animals. I’m not going to understand this right now.”
In her complaint, the young woman also criticizes the reliance on remittances from abroad: “Those without family in the United States have no right to connect to the internet,” she stated. “Where am I supposed to get 10 dollars if I don't even earn 10 dollars a month and I'm a teacher?,” she insisted, referring to the cost of the basic 4 GB package. Her grievance encapsulates the widespread sentiment among thousands of Cubans who view these rates as a direct exclusion of those who do not receive remittances or have access to foreign currency.
I don't know how long this will last. I don't know where we're going to end up, the young woman concludes.
From exile, figures like Giraldo Piloto, along with artists such as La Diosa and La Dura, have launched attacks against the new rates imposed by ETECSA, which they consider an abuse and an insult to the people. They have denounced the digital exclusion this represents for those living on the island without access to foreign currency or external support, and many have called for a complete boycott of top-ups from abroad.
Anita's outrage has struck a chord with the public. The video, which has garnered thousands of interactions, is one of the most viral reactions since the announcement from ETECSA on May 30, which imposed a limit of 360 CUP per month on national recharges, while promoting dollar packages that can only be paid for from abroad or with access to foreign currencies.
Prices in national currency also seem exorbitant for the average salary on the island: up to 11,760 CUP for 15 GB. The state-owned company claims that these measures are necessary to "support the network," but many see it as another step toward digital exclusion.
"They want to silence them, they want them not to report," commented a user. Others claim it is a mechanism of control: "They do this so that you cannot show the reality being lived in Cuba." Among the comments on the video, some criticize the "priority" given to the internet, but most support Anita and agree that it is a government strategy to restrict information and capture foreign currency from exile
Frequently asked questions about ETECSA's price hike in Cuba
Why has the new rate hike from ETECSA generated so much discontent?
The ETECSA price hike has caused discontent because the new rates are unaffordable for most Cubans, who watch as access to the Internet becomes a luxury reserved for those with access to foreign currency or who receive remittances from abroad. Prices in Cuban pesos (CUP) greatly exceed the average salary, severely limiting connectivity and, therefore, access to information and communication.
What are the new ETECSA data plans in dollars?
The new data plans from ETECSA in dollars offer 4 GB for 10 USD, 8 GB with 75 minutes and 80 SMS for 20 USD, and 16 GB for 35 USD. These plans are primarily aimed at those who have access to foreign currency or can pay using international cards or the MiTransfer Wallet. This dollarization of the service excludes those who rely solely on a salary in Cuban pesos.
What measures are Cubans taking in response to ETECSA's rate hike?
In response to the tariff increase, some Cubans have chosen to reject remittances from abroad as a form of protest. Exile figures have promoted a "total halt" of remittances as a pressure tactic against the regime, arguing that access to the Internet has become a privilege rather than a right. There is also the emergence of an informal market that sells credit at inflated prices due to restrictions.
What justifications has ETECSA provided for the increase in rates?
ETECSA justifies the increase in rates as necessary to sustain and develop the telecommunications network in Cuba. The company assures that these measures are essential to guarantee the quality of services and cybersecurity. However, many criticize that this argument is an excuse to perpetuate an exclusive system that only benefits those who have access to foreign currency.
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