Mobile Providers Seek Increased Access to Cuba

Mobile Providers Seek Increased Access to Cuba
International August 31st, 2010
BroadbandBreakfast.com Staff, BroadbandBreakfast.com

WASHINGTON, August 31, 2010 – Nokia, AT&T and Verizon are petitioning
the White House to loosen telecommunications export bans to Cuba,
Bloomberg and other news outlets are reporting.

The Obama Administration eased some of the regulations in April 2009 and
has spoken of increased engagement.

Nokia would like to sell handsets to the island, while AT&T and Verizon
would like more freedom in connecting calls and setting up service.

The Federal Communications Commission allows calls to be connected to
Cuba but only if they pay Cuba a fee of no more than 19 cents a call
while the Cuban government requires a fee of 84 cents a call.

Finland-based Nokia produces its North American handsets in Miami and is
limited by the U.S. embargo.

Cuba has a relatively low penetration level even after ruler Raul Castro
lifted the ban in 2008.

http://broadbandbreakfast.com/2010/08/mobile-providers-seek-increased-access-to-cuba/