Cuba looking to liberate 700MHz band to improve 4G services

The partial transition from analog to digital television in Cuba is advancing, which will allow the 700MHz band to be liberated to expand 4G networks, according to the communications ministry

The decision includes shifting broadcasts of two television channels (Educativo and Educativo 2) to digital systems, while three other channels (Cubavisión, Tele Rebelde and Multivisión) will continue to be broadcast using traditional analog systems, according to local daily Granma.

The ministry is also looking at deploying cable TV infrastructure on the island.

State-owned telco Etecsa launched 4G services in 2019. A year later, Cuba had 450 2G, 1,600 3G and 650 4G base stations.

However, the deployment schedule for Nauta Hogar internet via 4G has been delayed due to financial limitations as a result of the intensified US trade embargo against the nation, the state-run newspaper reported.  

The US Department of Justice also recently recommended that regulator FCC reject an application by subsea cable system operator Arcos-1 to add a US-Cuba link. 

US authorities claim that because Etecsa would be the owner and controller of the new cable-landing system, it would boost the country's espionage capabilities. 

“As long as the Government of Cuba poses a counterintelligence threat to the United States, and partners with others who do the same, the risks to our critical infrastructure are simply too great,” Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division said in a release at end-November.