Now, cell phones

Another “prohibition” bites the dust: Cuban citizens will now be allowed to have cell phones.

Actually, a great many Cubans already have cell phones. The catch has been that cell phone accounts for individuals have been offered to foreigners only. As a result, many Cubans get a foreigner to open a contract for them; the Cuban pays to open the account and then pays the ongoing charges for airtime to keep the account active.

Today’s decision, then, legalizes what was already a widespread reality. But it’s a positive step and we can expect it will lead to more Cubans subscribing to the service.

Here is the Sun-Sentinel’s coverage, and the announcement in Granma.