[liberationtech] Cuba: 5% Internet penetration

[Myself]

 Under the new measures announced by the Obama administration in December
2014, Cuban exiles can buy and send to the island satellite Internet
equipment, Wi-Fi routers, repeaters and pay for this service for their
relatives in Cuba. American companies such as HughesNet provide Internet
service with plans starting at $40 a month for a 5 megabits plan. Cuba is
in the coverage area, already some Cubans illegally connect to the internet
this way. This wouldn't require any infrastructure costs from the Cuban
government, in fact, small neighborhood service providers via Wi-Fi could
be legalized and the government could collect taxes from them in a similar
way they are taxing "cuentapropistas" (small business owners) now.

In a matter of months most neighborhoods in Cuba could be connected. Cuban
exiles have the economic means and desire to communicate with their
families over the Internet. The only thing standing in the way are Cuban
custom's regulations and the Cuban government's willingness to allow
Internet access in a massive scale. The Cuban government should stop
blaming the embargo for the lack of Internet access and start moving
forward, it's time to put some pressure on them too.

More info (Spanish):
 Exiliados cubanos podrían costear acceso a Internet:
http://www.cubanet.org/tecnologia-2/exiliados-cubanos-podrian-costear-acceso-a-internet/

regards,
Rafael
www.lasingularidad.com
PGP <http://pgp.mit.edu:11371/pks/lookup?op=get&search=0xA5BA76902CB232E3>

On Thu, Dec 18, 2014 at 4:17 PM, Myself <falcocom25 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hold your horses, the Cuban government's restrictions haven't changed a
> bit. This new deal has so far been one sided and overhyped. Satellite,
> Wi-Fi equipment is still banned at cuban customs and just last week a Cuban
> was sentenced to three years for providing satellite service. Raids on the
> barrio offline Wi-Fi networks have been rampant this year.
> It's too early to tell if the new measures will mean more openness or more
> wariness on the cuban side. Proceed with caution and without jeopardizing
> american citizens in the process.
>
>
> http://www.cubanet.org/noticias/desmantela-etecsa-red-clandestina-de-wi-fi-en-vibora-park/
>
>
> http://www.miscelaneasdecuba.net/web/Article/Index/548e5be53a682e084cff2ad0#.VJNBmXuWmQc
>
> regards,
> Rafael
> www.lasingularidad.com
>
> PGP <http://pgp.mit.edu:11371/pks/lookup?op=get&search=0xA5BA76902CB232E3>
>
> On Wed, Dec 17, 2014 at 2:55 PM, Yosem Companys <companys at stanford.edu>
> wrote:
>>
>> From: Claro Noda <noda at complexperiments.net>
>>
>> Initiating new efforts to increase Cubans’ access to communications
>> and their ability to communicate freely-
>>
>> Cuba has an internet penetration of about five percent—one of the
>> lowest rates in the world.  The cost of telecommunications in Cuba is
>> exorbitantly high, while the services offered are extremely limited.
>>
>> The commercial export of certain items that will contribute to the
>> ability of the Cuban people to communicate with people in the United
>> States and the rest of the world will be authorized.  This will
>> include the commercial sale of certain consumer communications
>> devices, related software, applications, hardware, and services, and
>> items for the establishment and update of communications-related
>> systems.
>>
>> Telecommunications providers will be allowed to establish the
>> necessary mechanisms, including infrastructure, in Cuba to provide
>> commercial telecommunications and internet services, which will
>> improve telecommunications between the United States and Cuba.
>>
>>
>> http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2014/12/17/white-house-fact-sheet-on-cuba-whats-changing/
>>
>> this might be relevant to the list.
>>
>> regards,
>> Claro.
>> --
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>
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