Government Of Cuba May Financially Benefit From U.S. Effort To Bypass ETECSA Broadband Cellular Network. Less Urgency To Spend Funds

The Biden-Harris Administration (2021- ) is evaluating the viability of providing alternative opportunities for the 11.3 million citizens residing within the 800-mile archipelago to access the Internet absent connectivity through Republic of Cuba government-operated Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba S.A. (ETECSA). 

The Republic of Cuba has a nationwide 3G broadband cellular network and an expanding 4G broadband cellular network.   

In 2013, Internet access in the Republic of Cuba began to expand with expensive cyber-salons.  In 2014, “Nauta Wi-Fi Service” was introduced.  In 2015, ETECA begin to install no-cost Wi-Fi Hot Spots throughout the country.  In 2016, “Nauta Hogar Service” was introduced to provide residence-access to Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) network.  In 2018, a 2G and 3G broadband network (with Internet access) was accessible throughout the Republic of Cuba.  In 2019, a 4G broadband network was introduced.  In 2019, Cubacel (a brand owned by ETECSA) introduced a Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) Card “Cubacel Tur” for non-Republic of Cuba nationals, focused upon tourists.  

Republic of Cuba nationals may access applications including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and WhatsApp among others.  Republic of Cuba nationals have created accessible commercial applications including Uber-like Bajanda, La Nave, and Sube; and A La Mesa for restaurants among an increasing number of applications developed by Republic of Cuba nationals residing in the Republic of Cuba.

If the Biden-Harris Administration uses balloons, satellites, vessel-based, or roof-based (atop the United States Embassy in Havana) platforms to deliver access to Virtual Private Networks (VPN’s) or other connectivity products including a second broadband network/Internet access point for Republic of Cuba nationals, the Diaz-Canel-Valdes Mesa Administration (2019- ) may complain publicly; may consider such activity as another hostile act, nearing or meeting the threshold of an act of war; may seek condemnation at the New York, New York-based United Nations (UN)…

Given that whatever the Biden-Harris Administration decides to do would enhance the usefulness (accessibility) of the Republic of Cuba’s 3G broadband network, 4G broadband network, and yet-to-be implemented 5G broadband network, the government of the Republic of Cuba might not be too unappreciative if the Biden-Harris Administration spends United States taxpayer funds to provide additional broadband network capacity to citizens, visitors, and tourists, at no financial cost to the government of the Republic of Cuba, so ETECSA may lessen its capital outlays.  A zero-sum effort is not always what it may seem to be…