After two days of silence, discomfort, and disconnection, the Telecommunications Company of Cuba (ETECSA) announced this Sunday that only half of the more than 60,000 landline connections affected in the province of Pinar del Río have been restored, as customer outrage continues to grow.
In a brief note published on its Facebook account, ETECSA announced that after two days of complex technical work by employees from Pinar del Río and Havana, 30,000 service lines have been restored.
"Our specialists continue to work until complete recovery," he added
The state telecommunications monopoly did not provide clear explanations regarding the delays nor any details on when a definitive solution is expected.
Since last Friday, landline services in Pinar del Río have been virtually out of service due to a failure in the telephone exchange, which was installed in 2000 and has high levels of technological obsolescence, as acknowledged by the company itself.
"Better to earn than to serve."
The citizens' reaction was swift. In the comments on ETECSA's official posts, users expressed an open and direct rejection of their poor service, citing abusive rates and institutional impunity.
"My phone is going in and out, it's intermittent. So no resetting," wrote a freelancer.
A resident of Havana criticized sharply: "ETECSA implemented new rates, and in the end, we have to accept them, but the phone service is really bad. To demand and impose, you need to provide better service. And it doesn't seem like it."
"With the dollars, I suppose they'll fix things," joked a family father, referring to the recent partial dollarization of various telecommunications services imposed by the company.
"It should be a source of shame for them," stated a veterinarian.
Some internet users were even more blunt.
"ETECSA Cuba only serves to scam. Zero top-ups from abroad. Rot in hell," wrote an emigrant.
"Congratulations on your poor service and bad work. You should be ashamed to be putting out such things," commented another user.
A monopoly without competition or answers
The lack of transparency and the absence of real alternatives are aspects that intensify social discontent. As another internet user stated, Cubans are not ETECSA customers by choice, but because there is no other option.
Complaints about prolonged outages are not exclusive to Pinar del Río. In Havana, there are customers who have been waiting for over a year for the repair of their telephone lines.
ETECSA is facing a structural crisis that runs much deeper than a mere technical failure.
Amid the so-called "tarifazo," which has raised prices in the midst of a struggling economy, their response seems out of touch, both in content and form.
Its communication policy, based on brief notes without specific dates or detailed technical explanations, contrasts sharply with the urgency and frustration of millions of Cubans who rely on its services.
More criticism, less patience
While the company speaks of "technical coordination" and "complex efforts," the public demands clear answers, real solutions, and a less triumphant attitude in the face of an evident crisis.
So far, ETECSA still has not provided an estimated timeline for the complete restoration of service in Pinar del Río.
What has certainly become clear is that their credibility continues to plummet, as their failures are repeated… and their clients have nowhere else to turn.
Frequently Asked Questions about the ETECSA Crisis in Pinar del Río
How many landline connections have been restored by ETECSA in Pinar del Río?
Only half of the more than 60,000 affected lines have been restored so far. ETECSA reported that they have been working for two days to restore the service, but they have not yet provided an estimated date for full restoration.
Why was there a disruption in telephone service in Pinar del Río?
The interruption was caused by a failure in the telephone exchange, which was installed in 2000 and is suffering from high levels of technological obsolescence. Failures in its control cards have been identified as the main cause of the interruption.
How have users reacted to the situation of ETECSA in Pinar del Río?
Users have expressed strong discontent and criticism towards ETECSA on social media. The complaints focus on the lack of transparency, poor service, and abusive rates. Many believe that ETECSA does not provide quality alternatives and that the company operates without competition, which worsens social unrest.
What justifications has ETECSA provided regarding the issues with its services?
ETECSA has mentioned technological obsolescence and the lack of investment as causes of the problems. Furthermore, it has justified the need to dollarize some services to enhance its infrastructure. However, these explanations have not convinced many users, who see the issues as a result of ineffective management and a lack of transparency.
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