Cuba is still hell-bent on a censored Internet

Cuba is still hell-bent on a censored Internet
Posted By TelecomTV One , 05 November 2009
Tags: Cuba telecom TeleCuba

Cuba may be headed toward more open engagement with the United States,
but uncertainty about a cable linking the two countries and hard-fisted
site blocks are reminders that little happens as planned ninety miles
south of Key West, Florida. Kirk Laughlin reports.

A 40-year-old embargo imposed on Cuba by the US is showing signs of
softening, but the implications on telecom policy remain hard to predict
even with the prospect of significant economic benefits for Cuban
citizens. The Obama administration recently moved to ease travel
restrictions to the island nation (note: US citizens are still "barred"
from visiting, but the law is routinely broken), and it also began
permitting US telecom firms to provide services into the country.
On the heels of the announcement, Florida-based TeleCuba – which has
been devising plans to build a 110-mile submarine cable into the country
for the last ten years – came out publicly with its intentions to
establish connectivity by Q2 2011. There's just one problem – the Cuba
Government has not officially granted its blessing. (Officials from
TeleCuba did not respond to repeated requests to comment on this story.)

There are undoubtedly other US providers and investors seeking to cash
in on what is seen as a golden opportunity to inject broadband-driven
commerce into a country that ranks as among the lowest in Internet
penetration in the Western Hemisphere.
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Cuba has taken steps to liberalize telecom, and increased competition
among mobile providers will spread usage. Affordability remains a
significant hurdle, however, as the typical Cuban makes about $25 US a
month.
Meanwhile, for those lucky folks who have Internet connectivity in Cuba
(via satellite), there are ever-present reminders that the government is
keeping a watchful eye on where they are visiting. Earlier this week,
visitors to a site called "Revolico" where re-routed to the search
engine at Google.com. The site has emerged as a popular destination to
buy and sell goods and services, acting as a virtual classified
advertising section for Cuban citizens.
Both US politicians and citizens have become increasingly vocal in their
opposition of the "idiotic" barriers preventing free engagement.
Numerous cities in the United States – including New Orleans, Key West
and Miami – have begun exploring best ways to prepare for regular,
commercial air travel between the two countries. Finally, recent polls
have shown that the majority of Americans support the elimination of the
trade embargo.
Still, the current government is definitely not winning any awards for
congeniality. According to The Heritage Institute's economic freedom
rankings, Cuba places only ahead of Zimbabwe and North Korea in terms of
ease of doing business.

TelecomTV | News | Cuba is still hell-bent on a censored Internet (5
November 2009)
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