An undersea internet cable deployed in 2023 between Martinique and Cuba

HAVANA, 7 Dec. Cuba will be connected in 2023 to an undersea cable deployed by the French group Orange from Martinique,facilitating the island’s access to broadband, the Cuban national telecommunications company (Etecsa) announced on Wednesday.

The agreement between the two companies, signed on Wednesday, “will allow Etecsa to increase and diversify (its) international capacities in the face of the growing demand for internet connection and broadband services”, the Cuban company said in a statement. press release published on the internet.

“This is a submarine cable system deployed by Orange, through its subsidiary Orange Marine, which will connect the island of Martinique (French overseas territory, in the West Indies), with the province of Cienfuegos (center) and whose capacity will allow Etecsa to consolidate its international expansion”, it is added.

“The physical structure of the cable will be ready in 2023”, providing Cuba “with a new route for international services” and “geographically diversifying the current connectivity”.

Last week, an evaluation committee of the United States had given an unfavorable opinion to the request of two companies of this country to deploy a submarine cable between the United States and Cuba.

The Committee had justified its refusal on national security grounds, a decision criticized by Havana.

Mobile internet has been accessible in Cuba since 2018, allowing citizens to express themselves more freely. However, during periods of social tension or demonstrations, the authorities reduce or suspend internet access.