Etecsa Promotes 'Digital Transformation' in Granma Amid Blackouts, High Rates, and Poor Connectivity

The state-run and sole telecommunications company of Cuba, Etecsa, has called upon businesses and entrepreneurs in Granma to participate in the digital fair titled "Boosting Transformation with Etecsa." This initiative comes at a time when the company’s network becomes inoperative during power outages, its rates are surging, and its connectivity remains among the worst.

Carlos Rafael Riera Guerra, head of the Commercial Department of Etecsa's Territorial Division in Granma, announced the event scheduled for August 11 and 12 at La Casa de la Fiesta in Bayamo. He described it as an opportunity to showcase technological solutions and to foster collaborations with economic players.

"The fair will serve as a platform to create strategic partnerships with economic actors, aiming to accelerate digital transformation in Granma and to enhance cooperation in joint projects," stated the official during an interview with Radio Bayamo on Saturday.

Riera further noted that the initiative is intended to "raise awareness among the population about the benefits of Cuba’s digital ecosystem" and to highlight the role of technology in driving innovation, enhancing quality of life, and increasing economic participation in the digital era.

Challenges of Connectivity Amid Crisis

The official rhetoric starkly contrasts with the daily struggles faced by Granma residents trying to maintain communication during extended blackouts.

In July, official television channel Canal Caribe broadcast a report on the installation of solar panels at the Niquero telephone center, portraying it as a solution for uninterrupted communications.

However, locals from the province challenged this narrative in comments on the official video. "Lies, I’m from Granma, nothing works when the power is out," wrote one resident, while another from Guisa claimed, "There’s never any electricity here."

Etecsa itself admitted in June that its backup batteries are incapable of sustaining the network for more than 24 hours without power from the public grid.

During outages, about 47.5% of mobile base stations and 56.5% of cabinets become non-operational, according to company reports.

Economic Strain and Customer Discontent

This situation unfolds amid an electrical crisis that has led to repeated total collapses of Cuba’s National Electroenergetic System throughout the year.

Infrastructure issues are compounded by public backlash against the state telecom monopoly's pricing policies.

As of May 30, 2025, the company restricted top-ups in Cuban pesos to a maximum of 360 CUP per month and introduced dollar pricing for internet packages, offering 4 GB for $10 USD, 8 GB for $20 USD, and 16 GB for $35 USD.

Prime Minister Manuel Marrero acknowledged that in the first 46 days following the price hike, Etecsa collected over $24.8 million USD, approximately $540,000 USD daily, without any significant improvement in service quality.

Cuban connectivity remains among the most inadequate globally. Fixed broadband download speeds were around 3.48 Mbps at the end of 2025 and dropped below 2 Mbps in several provinces by April this year.

The pattern of presenting partial advancements as solutions to structural issues has been previously criticized. Amid the tariff increase, the official newspaper Granma published an article reminding of the Penal Code's punitive framework against government criticism on social media, referencing offenses like "Enemy Propaganda," "Defamation," and "Contempt."

While Etecsa organizes the fair to promote "digital transformation" in Granma, comedian Ulises Toirac recently released an open letter demanding that the company reinvest the profits from the price hike to improve services or allow Starlink to enter Cuba.