Cuba Extends Preferential Cell Phone Rates

Cuba Extends Preferential Cell Phone Rates

The Telecommunications Company of Cuba (ETECSA) announced on Tuesday
the preferential activation rates of cellular phones now in place will
continue until May 31 in order to reach the end of the year with one
million users.

According to the current rate, with paying 40 Cuban convertible pesos,
cuc, (US $43.20) for activating a new line, the user has then
available 20cuc ($21.60) for calling and messaging.

The balance of 20 cuc could be use to make international and national
calls, as well as local for a period of 60 days, added the message of
the corporation.

The measure, originally taken in April, is part of the company's goal
to have in five years 2.4 million mobile phone users.

Vice President of Mobile Services of ETECSA Maximo Lafuente recently
said the island is making a big investment to ensure the expansion of
this network.

This year ETECSA will make the investments needed to finish 2010 with
a million users, Lafuente said shortly after revealing that the
company invested more than $150 million in seven years on this
program.

The executive also announced reductions of 42 and 75 percent from this
month on in the national and international calling rates.

This rate policy has positively augmented the number of mobile users
from 43,000 in 2003 to the current 838,370.

Through an arrangement between ETECSA and the Latin American News
Agency Prensa Latina, the Cuban phone company will soon be able to
offer a news service for mobile users interested in getting news
stories in their cell phones.

Source: PL

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