Verizon to Offer (Very Expensive) Roaming in Cuba

Verizon announced Thursday it will now offer customers roaming service in Cuba, making it the first US carrier to do so.

Relations between the United States and Cuba are gradually improving, it’s going to be a long process but things are improving, the United States reopened its embassy in Cuba last month after a few decades and that signalled a strong commitment from both parties to take this newfound friendship forward. Data use is billed at $2.05 per megabyte and standard global text messaging rates will apply.

At present, Americans who visit Cuba can access cellular service on the island only after they purchase a pay-as-you-go cell phone from state telephone firm Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba SA (ETECSA), of if they have a cellphone account in a third country.

In July, JetBlue began direct charter flights between New York City and the Cuban capital.

MasterCard, Netflix, and Airbnb have also launched services in Cuba.

Stay connected with one of Verizon’s sanctioned World Devices: Apple iPhone 5c, 5s, 6, 6 Plus, 6s, or 6s Plus; Samsung Galaxy S5, S6, or S6 Edge; or the Motorola Droid Maxx.

As ties between the two countries continue to normalize, it only seems a matter of time before more companies set up shop in this untapped market. With the embargo now lifted, carriers now have a big opportunity to offer new services to Cuba. Supporters say the move will be good for Cubans.

For 53 years, there has been no economic relationship with Cuba primarily due to the fact the island nation is a Communist country.

Tech companies are expected to make inroads in Cuba under the new policies. “On the other hand, the US’s 65-year-old embargo has left the country with deteriorating and unreliable infrastructure”.