"Who gets paid in dollars here?" asks a Cuban woman in Matanzas in a video that has gone viral following the new measures imposed by ETECSA. With a mix of sarcasm and frustration, the young woman summarizes what thousands feel on the island: an increasingly limited access to the internet and an economic burden that is impossible to bear with salaries in Cuban pesos.
In his outburst, he questions why the only option available is to buy a monthly package of 6 GB for 360 CUP, while everything else must be paid for in dollars. "It has to last you a month... tell me about it," he complains, while labeling the measure as another direct blow to the pockets of Cubans.
"What does ETECSA want from us? To empty our pockets?" she asks, while explaining that now you can only purchase a monthly package for 360 CUP, equivalent to 6 GB. "I'm left stunned and clueless," she sums up, caught between resignation and irony.
The reaction of this user, identified as @briana_matancera on TikTok, is part of a growing chorus of citizen complaints that has erupted following the rate hike announced by ETECSA on May 30. The new provisions limit national recharges to a maximum of 360 CUP per month, while larger packages can only be purchased through payments in dollars, euros, or MLC, generally from abroad.
"The internet has become a privilege."
The comments on the video reflect the sentiments of thousands of Cubans. Some question why there are more protests online than about the lack of food or blackouts, while others warn that ETECSA's aim is to limit access to social media to prevent reports on the crisis in the island. "What they want is for you not to have easy access so you don't publish the reality of Cuba," wrote one user. "This is not a coincidence; it's control," added another.
Many agree that the imposed fees represent a “covert dollarization” of the service, which forces those who do not receive remittances or do not have family abroad to rely on the informal market to purchase digital credit. In some buying and selling groups, 360 CUP in credit is already being offered for up to 1,000 CUP.
Indignation is spreading to all sectors
Discontent has even reached organizations aligned with the government, such as the University Student Federation (FEU) and the Hermanos Saíz Association (AHS), which have issued statements denouncing that the new pricing policy hinders the academic, professional, and cultural development of young people. The broadcaster Laritza Camacho also harshly criticized the price hike, stating that "if you don't show me efficiency, how can you demand sacrifice from me?".
The Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, and the president of ETECSA, Tania Velázquez Rodríguez, have attempted to calm tensions by promising "adjustments" for certain sectors such as students, including an offer of 12 GB for 720 CUP and free access to educational sites. These measures do not eliminate the main restriction: the cap of 360 CUP per month on national recharges.
Between disconnection and inequality
The new scheme has been widely rejected due to its impact on the connectivity of the most vulnerable sectors. “Those who don't have family in the United States have no right to access the internet,” denounced another Cuban in a viral video that also gained popularity, reflecting the sentiment that an increasing number of rights depend on access to foreign currency.
Economist Pedro Monreal described the situation as “a case of monumental incompetence” after it was revealed that ETECSA lost more than 60% of its income in foreign currency due to alleged fraud with international top-ups, with no one held accountable.
For many, connectivity is no longer a right but a privilege: yet another barrier adding to the growing inequality on an island where everything—from transportation to gas or coffee—depends increasingly on having access to the dollar.
Frequently Asked Questions about the ETECSA Rate Increase in Cuba
Why has ETECSA raised the rates for Internet access in Cuba?
ETECSA justifies the increase in rates as a measure to "sustain and develop the network" and to boost new sources of income. However, many citizens and analysts criticize this measure, viewing it as a way to exclude those who do not have access to foreign currency and to deepen economic inequality in the country.
How do the new ETECSA rates affect Cubans who do not receive remittances?
The new ETECSA rates limit national top-ups to 360 Cuban pesos (CUP), making it difficult for those who do not receive remittances to access the Internet. These citizens are forced to purchase larger data packages in US dollars, which is unaffordable for most, thereby increasing the digital divide on the island.
What alternatives do Cubans have to access the Internet after ETECSA's price hike?
Cubans without access to foreign currency must turn to the informal market to acquire digital balance. In this market, a balance of 360 CUP is sold at significantly higher prices, reflecting inequality and the need to seek illegal or disadvantageous alternatives to stay connected.
What has been the reaction of the population and organizations to the increase in ETECSA's rates?
The measure has generated a wave of outrage and criticism both in Cuba and abroad. Organizations such as the University Student Federation (FEU) have denounced that the price hike restricts the right to information and communication. Furthermore, ordinary citizens and public figures have expressed their disapproval on social media and official media.
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