Latest news with #dataPlans
CNA
7 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Cuba partially rolls back internet rate hike as anger grows
HAVANA :Cuba said it would begin to offer additional mobile internet data plans at a sharply reduced price for students after an initial rate hike prompted outrage across an island already reeling from soaring inflation and shortages of basic goods. State-run telecommunications firm ETECSA last week capped subsidized data plans - offered at a steeply discounted rate of 360 pesos (just under $1 on the informal market exchange) - at 6 gigabytes, less than a third of the global average monthly usage per smartphone of 21.6 gigabytes, according to Swedish telecoms company Ericsson. After that, newly announced prices for an additional three gigabytes soar to 3,360 pesos ($9), over half the average monthly wage of 5,839 pesos ($16). Many plans are offered only in dollars - a currency out of reach for many Cubans - in a bid to tap the funds of relatives who have migrated abroad and wish to communicate with their families. The rate hike struck a nerve with many Cubans - for whom the new data packages are inaccessible - prompting ETECSA on Monday evening to offer students an additional 6 gigabytes, for a total of 12, at the same discounted rate of 360 pesos ($1), easing tensions - but leaving many still in the lurch. Andrea Curbelo, a 20-year-old art history student at the University of Havana said the additional discounted data package for students was appreciated but said all Cubans should be treated equal. "All Cubans should have the same opportunity as we students to communicate with their families ... they should restructure the measure so that everyone has the same rights." The continuing rift over the price of data plans in Cuba comes as the nation's communist-run government scrambles to raise funds amid the worst economic crisis to hit the island since Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution. The government says the rate hikes are necessary to update ailing telecommunications infrastructure in a country with some of the slowest internet connection speeds in the world, according to an online service that measures bandwidth. Danila Maria Hernandez, a 19-year-old Havana resident, said the government had struck a nerve raising prices amid the ongoing economic crisis.
Reuters
7 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Cuba partially rolls back internet rate hike as anger grows
HAVANA, June 3 (Reuters) - Cuba said it would begin to offer additional mobile internet data plans at a sharply reduced price for students after an initial rate hike prompted outrage across an island already reeling from soaring inflation and shortages of basic goods. State-run telecommunications firm ETECSA last week capped subsidized data plans - offered at a steeply discounted rate of 360 pesos (just under $1 on the informal market exchange) - at 6 gigabytes, less than a third of the global average monthly usage per smartphone of 21.6 gigabytes, according to Swedish telecoms company Ericsson. After that, newly announced prices for an additional three gigabytes soar to 3,360 pesos ($9), over half the average monthly wage of 5,839 pesos ($16). Many plans are offered only in dollars - a currency out of reach for many Cubans - in a bid to tap the funds of relatives who have migrated abroad and wish to communicate with their families. The rate hike struck a nerve with many Cubans - for whom the new data packages are inaccessible - prompting ETECSA on Monday evening to offer students an additional 6 gigabytes, for a total of 12, at the same discounted rate of 360 pesos ($1), easing tensions - but leaving many still in the lurch. Andrea Curbelo, a 20-year-old art history student at the University of Havana said the additional discounted data package for students was appreciated but said all Cubans should be treated equal. "All Cubans should have the same opportunity as we students to communicate with their families ... they should restructure the measure so that everyone has the same rights." The continuing rift over the price of data plans in Cuba comes as the nation's communist-run government scrambles to raise funds amid the worst economic crisis to hit the island since Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution. The government says the rate hikes are necessary to update ailing telecommunications infrastructure in a country with some of the slowest internet connection speeds in the world, according to an online service that measures bandwidth. Danila Maria Hernandez, a 19-year-old Havana resident, said the government had struck a nerve raising prices amid the ongoing economic crisis. "All we have left to distract ourselves is social media, a little internet, to get our minds off our problems," she said. "It's just not right."
CNET
30-05-2025
- Business
- CNET
Gear Up For Summer Travel With 22% Off Nomad's eSIMs Using CNET's Exclusive Code
Many of us are now preparing our summer travel plans. And if those plans are international, staying connected is essential. Data plans can add up pretty quickly, especially if the trip lasts for more than a few days. Luckily, an eSIM can help you stay online and in touch with loved ones back home. And Nomad is here to help you save the big bucks. Using our exclusive code, SUMMERCNET, you can score 22% off Nomad eSIM plans. This code may only be used once per person, and the plan must be activated within 60 days of purchase. The deal is valid until August 31 but is limited to the first 100 users -- so we expect the deal will be over long before then. Keep in mind, this code does not apply to add-on data, day plans, sale plans, or plans under $5. Nomad eSIM has a wide variety of plans available, including local, regional and global eSIMs. The provider is valid in over 200 countries and regions, so you're covered, no matter where you go. Local eSIMs are for one country. (If you're planning on taking a trip just to Bermuda, you can use the local option and choose Bermuda.) From there, you'll be given more options on the amount of GBs and the number of days. If you're traveling to multiple countries, you may benefit from a regional or global plan. The global plan includes up to 112 countries. The number of countries you'd like to include, the number of days and the amount of GBs must be selected. The regional plan is similar but more continent/area-based. For example, if you're taking a European trip, you might choose the Europe regional plan because it includes 35 countries in Europe. Then, of course, you'll choose the specifics. For more travel bargains, take a look at the best luggage deals to upgrade your bags before your next trip. Why this deal matters You'll need to act fast if you want to take advantage of this deal; it's only valid for the first 100 users. Even though the code technically doesn't expire until August 31, we suspect this deal will be over before then. Keep in mind, the code does not apply to add-on data, day plans, sale plans, or plans under $5.
