The Cuban telecommunications company announced on Tuesday the first fixed rate for internet browsing of private workers on the island. The new ADSL internet service, managed by the state telecommunications monopoly Etecsa, is intended exclusively for self-employed workers with a computer programmer’s license. (ON C).
On its website, Etecsa assures that the measure will strengthen the “Cuban IT applications and services industry” and aims to improve the “performance and functioning” of private workers.
According to the legal definition, the computer equipment programmer is the one who “develops, sells, implements, implements and provides technical support for computer programs, applications and services through contracts with individuals or legal entities”. Most of those who have that license on the island are dedicated to programming software, create applications and install programs.
The connection speed will depend on the technical conditions required by the companies
The number of people who will be able to access the service is difficult to know because the PEC license, which began to be issued with the economic reforms promoted by Raúl Castro in the last decade, stopped being delivered in 2017, when the Government launched a process to regulate and order independent activity.
It was not until February of this year that the reopening of the delivery of PEC licenses was announced, but so far and according to the testimonies collected by 14ymedio, the new issuance of permits is paralyzed until the new list of private occupations comes into operation.
The flat rate service for programmers will allow access to the Internet connection through the technology of the asymmetric digital subscription line (ADSL). “This offer includes the installation and service of contracted data through the use of digital links that permanently interconnect their computer network with other networks, in accordance with the defined quality specifications,” explains Etecsa in its statement.
The connection speed will depend on the technical conditions requested by the companies, the service has no time restrictions and includes the option to activate international mail.
Prices vary depending on the required internet speed: 512/128 Kbps, at 1,250 pesos per month, up to the maximum offered, which is 6,144 / 1,024 Kbps at a cost of 24,125 pesos, the latter equivalent to USD 1,000 per month service.
Regarding the employment of Nauta Hogar, this method is postpaid and the self-employed person must have a Nauta account. If you don’t have one, “one is activated for free and you can reload on any of the set routes.”
Etecsa clarifies that Nauta Hogar will have a connection speed of 2,048 / 1,024 Kbps, and the activation will cost 250 pesos. The monthly price will depend on the contracted service: 240 hours for 2,000 pesos (8.30 CUP / hour) or 480 hours for 3,000 pesos (7.20 CUP / hour). The additional hourly rate for the two offers will cost 12.50 pesos.
Criticisms of the services announced by Etecsa were not long in coming. Most of the comments on the official site Cubadebate regrets the high flat rate prices and the obligation to have a PEC license to apply for it.
“The offer is appreciated, the price has been much exceeded considering the international costs for a higher speed service”, comments an Internet user named Pedro. An opinion shared by reader Raly: “Why doesn’t Etecsa make special offers for teachers and students who need so much in these days of connectivity? Why don’t they sell us phones in the currency they pay us with?”.
“How much should a programmer have for any of these offers to be profitable?” Sixto, another commentator, asks. “These offers could be profitable for a group of three to five programmers, associated as SMEs. But small companies have not only been approved. These small companies are the key to innovation,” he adds.
“The offer is appreciated, the price far exceeding taking into account the international costs for a higher speed service”
Self-employed persons interested in Etecsa offers should make the request by e-mail to [email protected]. The documents to be sent are: photocopies of the authorization card to carry out the work on behalf of the PEC and the identity card, a signed application specifying the connectivity package to be employed and, “if the interested party is not the owner the telephone line where the service will be installed, must send a written authorization from its owner. “Once the application is approved, they will inform the customer which office to address to sign the contract.
Access to a flat rate has been one of the most repeated requests from customers of the state monopoly in recent years. The #BajenLosPreciosDeInternet campaign peaked in mid-2019. In its first edition, in just 24 hours, the label became fashionable subject within the Island.
Etecsa responded by defining the campaign’s promoters as “mercenaries” and blamed the US embargo on high service prices.
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