Free Internet in Cuba: Dream or Real Possibility?
By Vicente Morin Aguado
HAVANA TIMES – Free internet, beyond the censorship of Cuba’s sole telecommunications provider, the state-run ETECSA, is a fair aspiration for Cubans. This desire, longstanding and unfulfilled, has recently reemerged under the hope inspired by Starlink, the company led by billionaire Elon Musk. However, after researching the matter, this option remains impossible under the totalitarian dictatorship that governs the country.
What does free Internet in Cuba entail?
It refers to a direct connection between a user’s phone —whether a Samsung, Motorola, Xiaomi, iPhone, or other brands— and an internet provider. Since there is no company other than the state-run ETECSA, the idea is for phones to connect directly to a satellite network without any intermediary devices between the satellite (the emitter) and the phone (the receiver-emitter).
Starlink has achieved notable success. According to the website The Insight Partners, by May 2024, Musk’s company had 2.7 million subscribers in 75 countries, including Ukraine, where it has been instrumental in supporting Ukrainian fighters during the war. I have also looked into the satellite network’s use in Spain, Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina, as well as heard experiences from YouTubers using Starlink.
What Does This Mean for Cuba?
The satellite connection service in question —and this is crucial— is not direct between ordinary phones and satellites. Intermediary devices are required. According to the website WIRED, the process involves:
“When a user wants to browse the internet, the request travels from their antenna to the satellite. The satellite sends the request to a ground station, which converts it into a format compatible with internet infrastructure to connect with a web server. The data package then travels back to the user. This entire process takes fractions of a second.”
WIRED further notes:
“When users subscribe to Starlink, they receive a kit that includes an antenna, a Wi-Fi router, and connection cables.”
A review of prices across countries confirms the need for these intermediary devices as a decisive factor in achieving free internet via Starlink.
Why Emphasize These Necessary Devices?
Because the current Cuban regime will not allow citizens to possess the required antennas and Wi-Fi routers under any circumstances. The government has a history of detecting, confiscating, issuing fines, and even imprisoning individuals for possessing devices deemed illegal under Cuban law.
Resolution No. 132 of the Cuban Ministry of Communications, dated June 25, 2019, and supported by Agreement 8151 of the Council of Ministers (May 22, 2017), regulates the authorization to import, own, and operate telecommunications-related devices and equipment within national territory.
To understand the repressive nature of the Cuban state regarding its monopoly on telecommunications, consider that individuals have received up to 15 years in prison for posting videos on social media deemed harmful to the country’s image.
As in the past, the regime will not allow the entry or possession of Starlink’s required devices. There should be no doubt about the state’s capacity to control this issue, even via imprisonment.
Are There Other Options for Free Internet?
Since Elon Musk’s network is not viable as currently configured, one might consider creating a parallel telecommunications company to ETECSA. This would require a free signal compatible with standard cellular bands, allowing for direct access without intermediaries.
However, creating such a company and operating it off Cuba’s coast would be extremely challenging. Telecommunication signals are directional, requiring repeaters placed just a few miles apart, supported by a permanent network of transmitters and receivers.
If a foreign government —likely the United States— decided to establish such a company, it would face political consequences for invading Cuba’s electromagnetic space without the local government’s consent.
Additionally, Cuba could interfere with the signal from this hypothetical company. Even minimal interference at the same frequency could render the system unusable.
Conclusion
It is disheartening for me to play the role of devil’s advocate or party pooper. However, it would be worse to cheer on false hopes for freedom-loving Cubans. If, someday soon, a real option for direct, state-free internet access becomes available, it will be wholeheartedly welcomed.
For now, intellectual honesty compels recognizing the practical barriers rooted in Cuba’s totalitarian system. I call on well-meaning politicians advocating for free internet for the Cuban people to consider the practicalities and realities of this struggle.
During my first visit to Cuba in 2006, VCRs were illegal in Cuba. The only internet on the island was available in luxury hotels and only Cuban employees of the hotel were allowed inside. Fast forward to today. La dueña of my favorite casa particular in Havana has internet in her home. Of course, it’s 2G speed but it’s better than nothing. My point is that “free internet” is coming to Cuba. It is just slow in coming.
Guantanamo Bay is the real solution…. but the USA is being timid as Cuba sinks further in the mud of authoritarian rule without desperately needed basic resources for its people.
Internet is expensive in most parts of the world some have limited free Internet in certain places and for customers to use in certain stores and food places in Canada and the U S many cell phone and Internet companies take advantage of low income people. I think Internet is important for business and hospitals but is too expensive for everyone to have in my opinion