The recent move by Cuba's state-run telecom company, ETECSA, to cap mobile recharges in Cuban pesos (CUP) at 360 monthly and introduce mobile data plans exclusively in U.S. dollars (USD) has sparked widespread outrage among Cuban citizens. Social media has been flooded with complaints from users who feel excluded by this policy, as many lack access to foreign currency.
A young woman likened the mobile data rationing to the scarcity of bread in local stores, stating, "Even if you want more, you're stuck with one a month. And this time there's no other place to get bread. Because ETECSA is the only option." A Cuban living in Houston humorously commented, "Mobile data by ration card."
The anger is palpable among Cubans abroad as well. A Cuban in Spain expressed his dissatisfaction, saying that ETECSA "hits hard, without anesthesia, without warning, and much worse than expected." Another compared ETECSA's management to that of U.S. companies: "In a world where companies compete to offer the cheapest unlimited plan, ETECSA emerges with a max of 6.5 GB monthly..."
This sense of betrayal resonates with those who have tried to support their families in Cuba through recharges and remittances. The measure is seen as another step towards the dollarization of the Cuban economy, where essential services like Internet access are becoming privileges for those who receive remittances or have access to dollars.
Growing Economic Divide
"The only thing they're doing is further dividing Cuban society," remarked a resident of Havana. "The new wealthy are those with family abroad or the few with access to USD." Beyond economic exclusion, users also criticize ETECSA for a lack of transparency and poor management.
An electronics technician recalled unfulfilled government promises and pointed out that despite substantial recharges from abroad, there has been no significant improvement in the country's telecommunications infrastructure. "When they were collecting millions of dollars from overseas recharges, they didn't invest in anything. No upgrades in mobile or landline services, nothing," he stated.
Official Justifications and Public Skepticism
ETECSA's official reason for these new restrictions is the need to "sustain and develop the network." However, many consider this explanation a mockery, given the persistent service deficiencies, data outages, and exorbitant prices over the years.
"They need to improve the antenna service, which is terrible, and invest in renewable energy antennas so that at least there's Internet service when there's no power," demanded a Havana resident.
From now on, while Cuban peso (CUP) recharges are capped, the primary data plans must be purchased in U.S. dollars (USD) via international cards or the MiTransfer Wallet. Many have labeled the measure a legalized swindle and a direct assault on the Cuban populace.
Comparisons with Previous Policies
"This is just like selling cars in dollars to invest in public transport and MLC stores for CUP stores, and in the end, nothing," commented another Havana resident. "It's disrespectful to limit my spending, but on top of that, what used to cost me 500 CUP now costs over 6000. What the hell is wrong with these people?" questioned a young woman.
"Every day they outdo themselves in making our lives miserable," expressed a flutist, echoing the widespread feeling of frustration.
Many predict another failure for the government by undermining ETECSA's service in national currency. "What you lack are ideas. (...) But you need to use intelligence to create attractive services in USD without affecting the service to the people who only receive national currency," suggested a user.
"As usual, they miscalculate. With this, they'll only bring in less money. Because don't think that now the 'Miami mafia' will rush to recharge lines in Cuba just because you say so. You'll see, they'll mess it up again," assured a freelancer.
Access to Internet Becoming a Luxury
The Cuban telecommunications company has dealt a new blow to citizens' pockets with measures that severely limit Internet access in national currency and deepen the dollarization of mobile services on the island. Capping recharges at 360 Cuban pesos in a 30-day period represents a drastic and unprecedented limit. With that amount, one can barely purchase a 6 GB package.
Those needing more data must pay in U.S. dollars (USD) or through digital platforms that operate under a parallel market logic, where the real value of each dollar is almost the same as on the street.
While CUP usage is restricted, ETECSA promotes new Extra DATA Plans in USD, now available via 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 national browsing, a component that remains unchanged.
Despite this partial dollarization of mobile service, ETECSA assures that some plans can still be purchased in national currency up to a limit of 360 CUP. New Extra DATA Plans in CUP are also available through Transfermóvil, Online Services, MiTransfer Wallet, and the commercial network. These packages are 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 national browsing. However, prices in Cuban pesos are excessively high, reaching figures that far exceed the minimum wage in the country, which is around 3,000 CUP. Accessing basic levels of mobile Internet requires up to four times the monthly minimum wage, making it an unattainable service for much of the population, especially for those who do not receive remittances or have access to hard currency.
ETECSA also informed that these plans can now be used on any mobile network (2G, 3G, and 4G), which they claim represents a technical improvement. Meanwhile, voice plans, SMS, and the toDus Messaging Bag keep their prices in CUP and remain available through traditional channels.
Meanwhile, the USD plans, promoted as "extra," are sold through the MiTransfer Wallet or international cards:
- 4 GB for 10 USD
- 8 GB + 75 minutes + 80 SMS for 20 USD
- 16 GB for 35 USD
A Cuban family without external help, without remittances or access to foreign currency, is relegated to the minimum possible connectivity or directly out of the system. ETECSA is not only restricting Internet access but also the right to information, digital work, education, and connection to the outside world in a country where more and more people depend on the Internet to survive, study, work independently, or simply stay connected.
Instead of democratizing access to connectivity, ETECSA—with government backing—has turned the network into a luxury product in the digital age.
Implications of ETECSA's Dollarization Measures
Why are Cubans upset with ETECSA's new measures?
Cubans are frustrated because the new measures limit mobile data recharges in Cuban pesos and require USD for data plans, excluding many who lack access to foreign currency.
What alternatives do Cubans have for mobile data plans?
Cubans can still purchase some data plans in Cuban pesos, but they are limited and expensive. The primary options now require USD, accessible via international cards or digital wallets.
How do the new ETECSA plans compare to other countries?
Compared to other countries, ETECSA's data plans are limited and costly. While other nations offer competitive unlimited data plans, ETECSA provides capped plans at higher costs.