AlTel advertises a $6.00/day + $2.90/minute rate for Cuba.

The new Obama changes in law made public on Apr. 13, 2009 would let U.S. telecom network providers set up, and Americans pay for, fiber-optic cable and satellite communications facilities linking the U.S. and Cuba. The U.S. government will also license those companies to provide cell-phone service in Cuba, and allow satellite-radio and satellite-TV service providers to do business in that country. Of course, introducing U.S. based or affiliated telecom services (cell phones) to Cuba assumes that its government allows these operators in.

If your cell phone is compatible with the common standards (TDMA and/or GSM) - either dual or digital - you can use it with no difficulty in Cuba. You only need to activate it at the rate of $3 US per day. You can also rent a cell phone there. These rates are subject to change and discounts are available through cruise lines.

If you do rent a cell phone there will be a $200.00US +/- deposit which will be refunded when you return the phone, as long as everything is in good working order. Get a receipt from the manager of the renting establishment. PrePaid Cellular is by far the easiest and safest.

New President Raul Castro's old government has authorized common Cuban citizens to obtain cellular telephones, a luxury previously reserved for those working for foreign firms or holding key posts in his communist-run dictator state. This is loosening up the cell phone market. Illegal Cell Phones have been in use for years. This technology will grow slowly with the general population on the island since

The Cuban government controls over 90 percent of the economy. The communist system ensures most Cubans free housing, education and a sort of basic -come-first-served health care and receive ration cards that cover basic food needs. This new 'freedom' with Cell Phones will be welcome. Since retirees in Cuba live on a $10US monthly pension and the average monthly state salary is less than $20US, the technology will spread with the locals slowly. Money wired to citizens on the island from abroad is the single greatest source of individual prosperity.