CUBA, FREEDOM BLOCKED

The situation in many countries about the repression made in Internet, it’s stronger in the Central American country of Cuba. The country is in a constant government control over this way that allows the communication between all the citizens of the world, which is why that after the approval of the permission to access to Internet in 2009 but with restrictions, proved to be one of the major steps taken by this country, but it is also quite insignificant for many people. Cuban authorities approved the use of Internet law for all the citizens. This move involves a change in the government policy, which until this year had limited social network to use it, giving access only to institutions, companies, and a small group of just over 100,000 people, including intellectuals and scientists. 

For the previous weeks before this measure taken on September 14, 2009, had already authorized the Cubans' access to Internet cafes in hotels, where they could connect to the Internet using computers, using WI-FI system. However, it was a measure that could be changed from time to time. It's the end of the state of monopoly on information. 

The minister decided to "authorize the Post Office of Cuba as a provider of Internet Access Services to the Public, which should be paid to individuals in the country through their areas of Internet," exact words. Post offices installed computers to “allow” surf the net to any Cuban. Until now there was a similar structure but only gave access to an internal network, an intranet with sites selected by the government. 

It seemed in the first step is not used all post offices, as explained to BBC employees of the Ministry of Information. "We will select one city" and to the extent necessary, it can expand. This measure removed the ban but the government continues with its proposed "social use" of the Internet, to extend that there is no possibility of accessing Internet from home. This is because the country does not have enough bandwidth. According to Cuban authorities, the United States have prevented Internet companies trading with Cuba increased access to the network, in addition, all communications are more expensive as they are made via satellite because Washington does not allow the submarine cable work. 

In short this could all change. U.S. President Barack Obama, authorized telecommunications companies to negotiate with Havana the following year and it could be completed the installation of a telephone cable between Cuba and Venezuela. These new technological possibilities could reduce prices of service at this time are extremely high. A one-hour card costs $ 7 at a hotel and full access from home is worth $ 150 a month. 

In the case of the network, there are tens of thousands of illegal accounts, workers negotiated directly between suppliers and customers. They cost about $ 50 per month and provide full service, equal to that received by legal subscribers. In that moment nobody could know how many people have access to the network but could exceed one million. Anyway, the Cuban government maintains filters to prevent entry into the pages most radical anti-Castro exile, while allowing access to the world press, including the largest newspaper in the Miami Cuban-American.