Cuba to launch its first home broadband Internet service

Cuba has announced plans to launch its first broadband Internet service in Havana, bringing connectivity to a nation with very few Internet options. The service will be launched in a pair of neighborhoods in Havana, and will, among other things, let companies like cafes and restaurants set up service for their customers. When the broadband service will rollout hasn't been stated, but it marks yet another milestone for Cuba.

The broadband Internet announcement was made by ETECSA, Cuba's state telecommunications company. The telecom's director Odalys Rodriguez del Toro announced that residents in Old Havana will be given the option of subscribing to the service, which will be operated in conjunction with Huawei.

Cuba got its first Internet connection in 2015, with that expanding into several public hotspots that, comparatively speaking, were pricey for residents. Availability and prices have already started turning in residents' favor, and this broadband service underscores that.

The state telecom plans to launch an additional 30 public hotspots this year, which presently cost about $2 an hour. The upcoming broadband service's pricing has not been revealed at this time, nor has ETECSA's plans to expand it beyond the two initial neighborhoods.

SOURCE: Associated Press