Cubans line up in front of the internet café on Obispo street in Old Havana
Besides the dual currency system in Cuba, there's a dual internet system too.
INTRANET
This is the "internet" for Cubans and they can only use it for sending and receiving text messages.
All other internet facilities such as search engines ( Google , Yahoo) or foreign websites are
blocked with filters and firewalls.
The intranet is accessible in the public internet cafés, subsidiaries of the state owned
Cuban Post Office ( Correos de Cuba).
INTERNET
Cuba counts 240,000 internet users ( source: CIA Factsbook)
Private citizens are prohibited from accessing the internet without a special authorization.
This authorization is only granted for professional, educational or business use.
Some Cubans buy illegal passwords on the blackmarket to get access to the internet.
Foreigners may access the internet in the tourist hotels. The internet in Cuba is a dial up service
slow and expensive ( 6-7 US $ a hour) because the communication goes through satelite and the
bandwith is limited.
The faster cable transmission is blocked by the US due to the embargo against Cuba.
INTERNET CAFES IN HAVANA
- The Cyber café in the Capitolio, Central Havana , side entrance (lefthand side) has 10-12
computers available. The identity of the users is checked.
- All major tourist hotels in Havana have internet access for their clients. (hotel Havana Libre, hotel Nacional, hotel Inglaterra, hotel Parque Central)
Normally at a cost of
6-8 US $ for one hour.
- Citmatel
address: O'Reilly and Tacon street
Old Havana
- Etecsa
International Press Center
23th and O street
Vedado Havana
BRAVE BLOGGERS IN HAVANA CUBA
The Cuban Government holds a firm grip on the internet access, but brave bloggers like
YOANI SANCHEZ dare to post critics about the life in Havana on her blog named
Generacion Y
( http://www.desdecuba.com/generaciony )
With limited (illegal) and expensive access (6 US $ /Hr) she has to be inventive and prepares
her columns about the daily life in Havana on a flash memory stick.
In the age of communication and technology there are no limits on the distribution of opinions she says.
Havana's famous blogger YOANI SANCHEZ
