During this Wednesday's Roundtable, as ETECSA officials attempted to justify the newly imposed restrictions on prepaid customers, host Randy Alonso relied on a familiar tactic of the regime: citing foreign voices to support unpopular measures. In this instance, he read an extensive comment from Irán Cabrera, who identified himself as a professor at the University of Guadalajara in Mexico and a former student of the University of Havana.
Cabrera claimed that not all Mexican students have mobile data, and access to the Internet at universities is provided through Wi-Fi networks, accessed with individual codes. "There's no complete freedom," he stated, explaining that each student must register their devices, such as phones, PCs, or tablets, with the IT center. According to him, this also imposes limits: "Not everyone has internet, and it's not due to ignorance; they just don't have it. I often criticize, but it's a necessary situation; having a little is better than having none, and it's temporary," he expressed.
Cabrera defended the idea that those using the Internet for commercial purposes should "pay more," as he himself, being a professor, relies on the Internet for consultations but must fund his connection with his own earnings. He also found the Internet prices in Cuba "strangely low" and suggested strengthening connections in workplaces and universities, without succumbing to "the paranoia of secrecy that leads to panic about accessing who-knows-where and doing who-knows-what."
In his view, if there are concerns, access to certain websites could be restricted without denying connectivity altogether. Additionally, he called for bolstering the use of Cuban ICTs so that they can help showcase local businesses, connect service and production sectors, and reduce reliance on external platforms. In his words: "Let people showcase their companies or virtual businesses, but with Cuban ICTs."
The comment was presented on national television as a reasonable perspective and an international viewpoint supporting the government's restrictive policies. However, for many Cubans, using an isolated testimony to downplay popular discontent only reinforces the perception that authorities either ignore or mock the everyday realities.
These claims come amidst social unrest following ETECSA's price hikes, which have affected all sectors of Cuban civil society, further intensifying their struggles. Simultaneously, ETECSA promotes the use of ToDus as a national alternative, while the UCI promises Wi-Fi improvements "in the medium term" after multiple student complaints about connection issues.
Amid this context, Cuban Vice Prime Minister Eduardo Martínez Díaz claimed that the average monthly mobile data consumption on the island surpasses that of Latin America and the Caribbean, reaching 10 gigabytes per user. "The average monthly consumption reached 10 GB. It's really an elevated average consumption. In our region, it's below 10. In Latin America and the Caribbean, it's about 7. Only the United States and Chile have higher consumption than us," stated Martínez Díaz.
The vice minister noted that the measures "had been studied, and it was modeled that around 50% of our population had consumption in the order of 6 gigabytes per month, which is the amount that can be purchased at more affordable prices, even lower than before."
Cuban Internet Access vs. Mexican Universities: Key Questions
What are the main differences in internet access between Cuban and Mexican universities?
In Cuban universities, internet access is often restricted and costly, while in Mexican universities, students access the internet through Wi-Fi with individual codes, but not all students have mobile data.
How does ETECSA justify the new internet restrictions in Cuba?
ETECSA justifies the new internet restrictions by citing studies that suggest the measures will help manage data consumption and ensure more equitable access, claiming they are necessary given current economic conditions.
What is the average monthly data consumption in Cuba compared to other regions?
The average monthly data consumption in Cuba is 10 gigabytes per user, which is higher than the average in Latin America and the Caribbean, where it is approximately 7 gigabytes.