(KPL/Prensa Latina) ETECSA Executive President Tania Velázquez said on Friday that the activation of the Arimao submarine cable made it possible to expand connection capacities and diversify Internet access sources in Cuba.

The executive from Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba S.A. (ETECSA) pointed out that since the cable was activated, successive expansions have been done, achieving a global connection of 380 gigas, which triples the connection capacity recorded in 2021.

Internet traffic in Cuba has increased considerably, especially through mobile devices, but she warned that despite this growth, it is necessary to continue to invest in other infrastructures such as radio bases and platforms to ensure a quality connection to the world, she added.

The consumption pattern in Cuba has changed in recent years, especially due to the new players in the economy, and in this regard, she highlighted the search for information and entertainment, which is why the search for solutions to make this connection effective is a priority.

Despite having eight million active mobile lines, 95 percent of which can access the Internet, quality problems persist, often associated with power outages, according to Cubadebate.

Experts estimate that 80 percent of the submarine cable’s capacity is consumed, but investments in the network have not grown at the same rate as traffic.

The Arimao cable is an effective project, with good service performance and we have the links configured well, it is a design that works with stability, but the pace of investment internally has not been at that same level, she said.

Velázquez added that 76 percent of the terminals in Cuba support 4G and 90 percent of the equipment is smart.

Regarding Internet use, social networks such as Facebook and Instagram are the most visited, while YouTube and WhatsApp maintain high use among the population, and access to gaming sites and online stores has increased.

On the other hand, electronic commerce has also increased, with Transfermóvil as a prominent platform, registering more than five million users and a growth of 30 percent in 2024.

Referring to network problems and energy challenges, the executive said that the company has a very clear projection by 2030, but the pace of investments does not accompany them.

The projections point to bringing fiber to homes, but we do not have the necessary financial resources to respond to these needs, which include not only the investment to grow, but also the support and maintenance of the network elements, she explained.

In addition, 50 percent of the radio bases do not have sufficient energy backup, and 10 percent have hardware failures without replacement due to lack of resources.

Investments for maintenance and expansion have decreased since 2022, affecting both the mobile network and Nauta Hogar services.

Velázquez pointed out that “the population will continue to enjoy its services in national currency, but we will look for solutions to be able to monetize them and sustain ourselves.”

KPL