The Cuban telecommunications monopoly, ETECSA, announced on Thursday that the ongoing power crisis in the country is exacerbating interruptions in telecommunications services. However, it did not provide a timeline for service restoration or offer any discounts or compensations for the inconveniences faced by users.
In an informational post shared on Facebook, ETECSA highlighted that due to the current energy crisis and issues with generators at technological sites, an increase in disruptions to various telecommunications services is being observed. These services will only be restored as power becomes available.
The resolution of these issues is contingent upon an electrical grid that has been teetering on the edge of failure for months. On Wednesday, the Electric Union reported an available generation capacity of merely 1,000 MW against a demand of 3,200 MW, with a maximum anticipated shortfall of 2,130 MW during peak hours.
ETECSA's Infrastructure in Peril
ETECSA's infrastructure is particularly susceptible to these power cuts. The company has admitted that approximately 47.5% of mobile base stations and 56.5% of telecommunications cabinets go offline during blackouts. Their network cannot sustain itself for more than 24 hours without electricity.
Out of roughly 2,520 base stations across the nation, only about half have some form of power backup, and around 450 are experiencing mechanical failures or fuel shortages in their generators.
Severe Consequences for Remote Areas
The situation has led to severe consequences, particularly for remote areas like the Isla de la Juventud, which lost mobile services on September 8 due to damage to its two main connections to the national network. The gradual restoration of services only began on September 13, after more than five days of nearly complete disruption.
User Backlash and Calls for Solutions
The reaction from users on Facebook was one of outrage. One user commented, "It's been ages since the power goes out, the coverage disappears instantly. They go hand in hand." Another remarked, "So, there won't be a connection because the power situation isn't going to improve."
Several comments pointed out the contradiction between the declining service quality and rising tariffs. "Is this why prices were raised last year?" asked a user, referring to the "price hike" in May 2025, when ETECSA restricted Cuban peso recharges to 360 CUP monthly and increased data package prices—a move the company acknowledged would impact nearly half its customers.
Others demanded concrete solutions: "Then extend internet services, data packages, etc., because the power issue won't be resolved immediately," urged another commenter. One more summed up the general sentiment: "Invest the thousands of dollars from international recharges into renewable energy sources to prevent these problems."
Understanding ETECSA's Power Struggle
What is causing the telecommunications disruptions in Cuba?
The disruptions are primarily due to the ongoing power crisis in Cuba, which affects the operation of ETECSA's infrastructure, leading to increased interruptions in telecommunications services.
How does ETECSA plan to address these service interruptions?
ETECSA has stated that services will be restored as power becomes available, but it has not provided a specific timeline for when full service will be reestablished.
What has been the public reaction to ETECSA's announcement?
The public reaction has been one of frustration and anger, with many users expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of connection and the rising costs of telecommunications services.