Verizon Becomes First US Wireless ISP In Cuba

Following the reopening of the United States embassy in Cuba, Verizon has become the first U.S. Wireless ISP to expand into the country.

As a result of this expansion, Verizon's customers will be able to easily connect to mobile service while traveling inside of the largest Caribbean nation.

"Our customers are citizens of the world, and we want them to seamlessly enjoy a great Verizon experience wherever they travel," said Javier Farfan, vice president of cultural and segment marketing for Verizon. "By offering international services while traveling in Cuba, we are making it simple and easy for our customers to stay connected wherever and whenever they choose."

Although it would be helpful to be able to use their cell phone service in Cuba, users should think carefully before signing up. In order to use the service, users will need to purchase the "Pay-As-You-Go" international travel extension on their mobile plan. Then, while in Cuba, users will be charged at a rate of $2.99 per minute and $2.05 per megabyte of data. It might help users stay connected with friends or family while traveling in Cuba, but with such steep prices, even a short phone call or a relatively complex web page could be quite expensive to access.

Still, as the first U.S. wireless ISP to expand into Cuba, it isn't so surprising that Verizon is trying to charge a premium for this service, and prices will probably reduce as other competitors expand into Cuba.

Follow Michael Justin Allen Sexton @LordLao74. Follow us @tomshardware, on Facebook and on Google+.

Michael Justin Allen Sexton is a Contributing Writer for Tom's Hardware US. He covers hardware component news, specializing in CPUs and motherboards.
  • DrSparko
    That's the old logo...
    Reply
  • rawoysters
    $2.99 per minute and $2.05 per mgb of data. Same old Verizon, we're the heroes for doing this, but we're going to gouge the hell out of you for it.
    Reply
  • thor220
    That's the old logo...

    Doesn't matter which logo they use, the checkmark will always represent "overpriced and data caps" to me. The new logo just makes it smaller so people won't notice the fine print.
    Reply
  • trexxie
    I wonder if the Cuban Government will allow Verizon to rip off the poor Cubans or if they will enact real consumer protection regulations to better manage those crooks. Here in the US we already know their customers are used to just bend over and take it - and they love it.
    Reply
  • skarenox
    I wonder if the Cuban Government will allow Verizon to rip off the poor Cubans or if they will enact real consumer protection regulations to better manage those crooks. Here in the US we already know their customers are used to just bend over and take it - and they love it.

    That "Cuban Goverment" is the first one ripping off the poor cubans, it's been like that for decades, the don't give a fuck about the cuban people.
    Reply