Early thoughts on ICT/tech in Cuba, in light of the US’ plans to normalise relations with that country.

The announcement this week that the United States of America (US) will restore full diplomatic relations with Cuba was much welcomed in many quarters worldwide. Moreover, many would agree, this announcement was long in coming, as it would bring to an end strained diplomatic ties and economic sanctions between the two countries that have lasted well over 50 years.

Notwithstanding its frosty relationship with the US, Cuba has been a good friend to many a Caribbean country – we have benefitted from access to their doctors and education system, to name a few. However, the US’ new posture is likely to result in a floodgate of opportunities for Cuba, even in its ICT/tech space, thus accelerating its growth and development.

Cuba is the largest and one of the most populous Caribbean islands, with over 11 million inhabitants, which is about double that of all of the English-speaking Caribbean combined. Investors are likely to benefit from economies of scale that can be realised, but due to the country’s restricted status to date, there is marked underdevelopment in many sectors, including telecoms and ICT. For example as at 2013, and according to the International Telecommunications Union, the penetration levels for

  • fixed-line telephony was 10.98 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
  • mobile/cellular service was 17.71 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
  • fixed broadband Internet was 0.05 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants, and
  • Internet use was 0.05 users per 100 inhabitants.

The currently low penetration levels for telecoms service in Cuba essentially points to a range of “greenfield” opportunities. There is likely to be considerable scope not only for infrastructure build out, but also in relation to service take up from a population of over 11 million. Further, in tandem with the anticipated focus on the retail/domestic market, there will also be a need for improve Cuba’s international connectivity. Currently, Cuba has only one submarine cable, the ALBA-1, which runs between Cuba and Venezuela, with a spur connecting Jamaica. However, with its proximity to the US, its common language with Latin America, along with the fact that there are a number of existing cable systems to which it can easily be connected, it is likely that Cuba will soon have multiple submarine cable connectivity, which in turn will usher in another wave of opportunities.
Innovation and development

Although Cuba’s telecoms infrastructure is decidedly limited, many international agencies have recognised the quality of its education, and the innovation that has been occurring across many sectors and disciplines. In other parts of the Caribbean, for example, we have the reverse: good infrastructure, but somehow we really have not been able to harness the potential of ICT, and appear not to have a clear strategy through which to address this.

In summary, Cuba’s changing diplomatic status is likely to result in some exciting times, in which it will experience unrivalled growth and development. However, the success of those predictions will depend to a considerable extent on the policies and posture that Cuba itself adopts going forward. Having said this, there have been signals for some time that it has been positioning itself for that eventuality and regaining its position on the global stage.

 

Image credit: Franck Vervial (flickr)

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