ETESCA Defends Its Actions: "We Haven't Limited Plans, Only Domestic Top-Ups"

The recent implementation of new commercial measures by the Cuban Telecommunications Company (ETECSA) has sparked a wave of criticism and frustration among the Cuban populace. Many accuse the government-run entity of restricting access to mobile services priced in Cuban pesos (CUP), although the company maintains that only "domestic top-ups" are being limited.

During an interview for the news program Buenos Días, ETECSA's Commercial Vice President, Lidia Esther Hidalgo Rodríguez, clarified, "We are only limiting domestic top-ups, but international recharges remain unaffected. Balance transfers are also available, allowing users to maintain balance once they reach the 360 CUP top-up limit."

Hidalgo Rodríguez emphasized that packages for call minutes and SMS are still accessible and can be purchased via the Transfermóvil app under the 'purchase of plans and packages' option. "These plans are not limited and have retained their previous prices to ensure the public can stay connected," she stated.

According to the vice president, ETECSA continues to allow up to three daily balance transfers with no limit on the amount, alongside unlimited international top-ups, which she describes as "a common practice among the Cuban population."

ETECSA distinguishes between national balance and that from international recharges, prioritizing Internet navigation services available in dollars. The aim is for the regime to receive dollars directly into ETECSA's accounts, facilitating unrestricted transfers of these funds among family and friends. "This is habitual behavior in our population," reiterated Hidalgo Rodríguez.

Despite these clarifications, the new measures have done little to quell the dissatisfaction of millions of Cubans. On social media, users criticize the measures as "abusive," alleging that the government favors the black market and prevents citizens from using their CUP salaries for essential communication services.

"No matter how they try to sugarcoat the measure, it's abusive," commented one individual. Another added, "If you limit domestic top-ups to 360 pesos, how am I supposed to purchase more packages? If I can't add balance to my phone, you're restricting the service."

A third user summarized, "Sure, there are other ways to get balance, but at exorbitant prices, from people receiving international top-ups."

This weekend, Cuban lawyer Manuel Viera highlighted that mobile balance is now being sold on social media as a commodity. "International balance is already sold online. The 360 pesos balance for a modest 1,000 CUP. And they still try to justify this to the people... To exercise your right to information and communication through a supposedly public company, we must admit extortion and theft once again," he argued.

On Friday, Hidalgo Rodríguez confirmed during the Mesa Redonda program that half of ETECSA's users will be affected by the new package of measures. Nonetheless, she insisted that the decision was based on a "study" of Cuban consumption patterns. "More than 50% of our population approximately consumes the value related to the offers we're providing, which are becoming more affordable and offering more data," she claimed, referring to the supposed benefits of the measure.

The dollarization of ETECSA's services impacts Cubans without access to foreign currency. New data plans priced in dollars turn Internet access into a privilege for those receiving remittances from abroad.