On Friday, President Communist Dictator Raul Castro said that he would begin allowing ordinary Cubans to use cellphones.
This is the first official announcement of the lifting of a major restriction in Cuba.
Cellphone use in Cuba is a luxury usually reserved for only those who are communist or work for the government. Up until now, Cubans have only been able to get cellphones by having foreigners sign the contracts in their names. And those that even had cellphones, were in the very small minority.
Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba S.A., (ETECSA), Cuba's telecommunications monopoly announced they would allow the general public to use the cellphone by agreeing to sign prepaid contracts using Cuban Pesos.
The Cuban government currently controls over 90% of the economy in which the average monthly salary is about 408 Cuban Pesos, a little bit less than $20.
Yes, $20 a month!!!
But, of course, a program in convertible Pesos will probably ensure that most Cubans will not be able to afford the cellphone service.
Baby steps at least. Though it's doubtful Cuba will get out of it's poverty anytime soon. Instead of giving your people cellphones, why don't you try feeding them instead????
[Image via WENN.]
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