The Executive President of the Telecommunications Company of Cuba (ETECSA), Tania Velázquez Rodríguez, acknowledged this Saturday on national television that the company did not adequately inform or provide timely notice about the restrictions imposed on mobile top-ups in Cuban pesos, which has led to an outpouring of criticism on social media and a growing sense of citizen discontent.
“We lacked tools, we lacked more effective mechanisms to address all this information”, admitted the official during a special appearance broadcast on Cuban television, Radio Rebelde, and digital platforms, referring to the new commercial scheme that limits national top-ups to 360 Cuban pesos (CUP) per month and prioritizes packages in dollars.
The directive acknowledged that, although it had previously been discussed that ETECSA would implement new commercial policies during 2025, referring to December 2024, when the Cuban government had already announced a rise in Internet access prices as part of the so-called "Telecommunications Services Restructuring Plan," the population was not adequately prepared for the changes that came into effect on May 30. “If this is a widespread opinion, we simply lacked communication”, they stated.
He added that, after holding meetings with students and professionals, one of the most frequent concerns was precisely the lack of prior information that would allow for an understanding of what was to come.
However, the president of ETECSA also justified the decision not to announce the restrictions in advance, citing technical reasons and a “risk assessment” related to the potential collapse of digital platforms due to a surge in recharge operations, which would have worsened the company’s already precarious technological situation. Nevertheless, she acknowledged that the public “deserved better informational preparation.”
“The reason why it could not be announced has a technical backing, it has a technical basis. It was not possible to provide a measure in advance that would generate anxiety, that would lead to a series of actions that could impact our system. A risk assessment was made to consider what could happen if many people engaged in certain operations (...). Of course, people would intensively top up their balances, and that, of course, would indicate that with the influx, it could affect the functioning of some platforms," he explained.
Even so, Velázquez acknowledged that ETECSA must reflect on its communication policy and improve its informational channels to prevent decisions like this from being implemented without the prior knowledge or understanding of the people.
The measure, which effectively marginalizes Cubans who do not receive remittances and favors payments in foreign currencies, has been described by many as a “rate hike”. The new plans in dollars offer 4 GB for 10 USD or 16 GB for 35 USD, while domestic packages, for example, cost 3 GB at 3,360 CUP, a figure that exceeds the minimum monthly wage.
ETECSA's decision has sparked a wave of outrage among Cuban users, who believe that these measures exacerbate economic inequality and limit access to an essential service. Cubans have voiced their frustration on social media, comparing the situation to a form of exclusion akin to the scarcity of basic products.
Additionally, the measure has been described by many as a legalized scam and a direct assault on the Cuban people.
Frequently Asked Questions about ETECSA's Price Increase and Its Implications in Cuba
Why has ETECSA limited the top-ups in Cuban pesos to 360 CUP per month?
The measure to limit phone top-ups to 360 CUP per month is part of a strategy to prevent the collapse of digital platforms and to control the flow of foreign currency income, according to ETECSA. The company argues that an increased volume of top-ups could overload the system, impacting the already precarious technological infrastructure.
What impact does this change have on the Cuban population?
The limitation on top-ups in Cuban pesos and the promotion of packages in dollars exacerbates economic inequality in Cuba. This measure excludes those who do not receive remittances or have access to foreign currency, forcing them to opt for packages in dollars that are inaccessible to most, as salaries in CUP do not cover these costs.
How does ETECSA justify the focus on data plans in dollars?
ETECSA argues that the dollar plans aim to attract income from an external market that wishes to communicate with their relatives in Cuba. The company defends that this strategy is necessary to sustain the infrastructure and ensure technological development, although these measures deepen the dollarization of basic services.
How has the Cuban population and government reacted to these measures?
The population has reacted with outrage and rejection to ETECSA's rate hike, expressing their discontent on social media. Even sectors aligned with the government, such as the University Student Federation, have criticized the measure for restricting access to education and information. The government, for its part, claims that opinions are being taken into account, although it continues to defend the necessity of these measures for the country's development.
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