More than 60,000 customers in Cuba's Pinar del Río province have been left without fixed-line phone service due to a malfunction at a key telephone exchange operated by the controversial state-run telecommunications monopoly, Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba (ETECSA). Nearly a day after the disruption began, the company acknowledged the issue in an initial social media post.
"We inform our fixed-line customers in Pinar del Río that due to a fault at the telephone exchange, approximately 60,000 services are affected. Our specialists are working to restore service. We apologize for the inconvenience caused," the statement read.
Despite ongoing efforts, the issue persists, according to a subsequent update released at 3:00 p.m. on Friday. The statement suggested some insights into the cause: "The fixed-line disruption in #PinarDelRío continues. The telephone exchange, installed in 2000, is experiencing failures in its control cards due to its technological obsolescence." Technicians are reportedly on-site attempting repairs.
The beleaguered state company, currently facing criticism over recent service price hikes, has not provided an estimated time for the restoration of services. ETECSA, now under intense scrutiny, has yet to offer further updates.
Criticism of the company has been widespread in the comment sections of its announcements, with many questioning its reliability during what is described as its most unpopular period. One user mockingly dubbed it the "company of disconnections," while another remarked that they are not "ETECSA customers" by choice but due to lack of alternatives.
Technical issues are nothing new for ETECSA, and several comments highlight the company's chronic inability to address them effectively. A resident from the Capdevila area in Boyeros, Havana, lamented that the lines in her area have been in disrepair for over a year, illustrating an ongoing infrastructure and service crisis that seems to be worsening.
The widespread service interruption aligns with ETECSA's recent narrative advocating for the dollarization of its services as a means to improve them.
Key Questions About ETECSA's Service Disruption
What caused the phone service disruption in Pinar del Río?
The disruption was caused by a failure in the telephone exchange, which is experiencing issues due to technological obsolescence, particularly in its control cards.
How many customers are affected by the ETECSA outage?
Over 60,000 fixed-line customers in Pinar del Río are affected by the service outage.
Has ETECSA provided a timeline for restoring service?
As of the latest update, ETECSA has not provided a timeline for when the phone services will be restored.