Cuba finally allows access to mobile phones - Cubans line up for first cellphones

Cuba has seen some major changes recently. With Fidel Castro’s brother, Raul Castro, taking the helm of the island nation, policy reforms are rolling through the country. One of the more tech-worthy reforms is the loosening of cellphone restrictions. Mobile phones in Cuba have previously been restricted to government officials and foreigners, forcing many Cubans to use mobile phones illegally. The new reform allows Cubans to buy and maintain a cellphone contract under their own name, rather than resorting to registering the phone under a foreigner’s name.

Lines formed outside of  Cubacel mobile phone stores in anticipation of owning their first mobile phone, or registering illegally used cellphones.

Unfortunately, most Cubans don’t make enough money to be able to afford any cellphones. Mobile phone subscriptions, available through ETECSA (a Cuban joint venture with Telcom Italia), are many times more expensive than the average Cuban’s monthly salary. Cellphones themselves are slightly cheaper, but still prohibitively expensive to many Cubans.

Still, thousands of Cubans are expected to take advantage of the de-restricted cellphone market. And, the new reforms represents Cuba’s entry onto the mobile stage. Way to go, Castro. Now, there’s just that matter of paying your people enough to take advantage of Cuba’s reforms.

[Via: Reuters]