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Network Society
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People and Organizations Online (stage 2)
Of the approximately 12 million Cubans, 1.45 million internet users exist, of which the majority of the users are accessing the internet at the workplace, universities or library. Use of the internet at home is not very prevalent, only in 2008 was a ban on personal computers lifted but internet access at home remains restricted. The Internet Usage and Population Statistics chart shows that since 2000 internet usage has been growing, and in the past 4 years that growth has grown by almost 10%. The current percentage of the population that uses the internet is 11.5%
The economy of Cuba is mostly state-controlled with about 76% of the employment being public sector and 23% private sector. Given a state-controlled economy, expensive, regulated and censored access to the internet; B2B and B2C interaction is not prevalent. As of 2008 Cuba had 1,434 .cu domains registered which equates to 12.75 domains per 100,000 inhabitants and a global rank of 49. This includes .com.cu, .org.cu, .edu.cu, .inf.cu, .gov.cu and .net.cu.6 Along with the limited internet access and a state controlled economy, there are several restrictions and draw backs that make it difficult for online organizations. Cuban domains are limited to people and companies located in Cuba and are expensive, $350 for .com.cu and $600 for .cu domains for registration and renewal. In addition, all domains must conform to state requirements and may be revoked or other restrictions imposed if use of the domain endangers public order, morality or socialist legality. The government does however provide internet access to state, educational, government, pro party and administrative institutions.
Locally Relevant Content (stage 2)
Due to the fact access to the internet and resources are extremely censored and expensive the amount of locally relevant content to Cuban citizens is relatively low. However, as US-Cuban relations improve, the infrastructure improves through the new submarine fiber-optic cable linking Cuba and Venezuela and censored, filtered access is reevaluate by the state; the access to locally and globally relevant content could become easily accessible. In addition, with the national language of Cuba being Spanish and Spanish being identified as the third most prevalent language on the internet relevant content would be easily accessible.
ICTs in Everyday Life (Stage 2)
Until 2008 private citizens were prohibited from buying computers and are still restricted from accessing the Internet without special authorization. When access to the internet is granted or gained the access is subject to firewalls, content filters and depreciated infrastructure; for Cubans that cannot access the internet through educational or state operated facilities resources like internet cafes or public outlets are available to allow citizens to take advantage of limited email and the government-controlled intranet. For the citizens fortunate enough to afford home based internet in Cuba, the monthly rate is more than one year salary of the average Cuban citizen.
In general below are some of the statistics on the use of ICTs in Cuba7:
Telephones -mobile cellular:
331,700 users (2008)
Country comparison to the world: 167
Telephones - Fixed System:
10 per 100 inhabitants (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM = 169 (1998)
FM = 55, (1998)
Shortwave = 1 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
58 stations (1997)
Internet Country code:
Top Level domain = .cu
Internet hosts:
3,637 hosts (2009)
country comparison to the world: 138
Internet Users:
1.45 million
country comparison to the world: 77
ICTs in the Workplace (stage 2)
According to www.cia.gov, as of 2009 there were only 3,637 Cuban internet host online. The majority of these hosts are government or state owned where a small percentage of Cubans get to access the internet from the workplace. The government does provide internet access to state, government, party, and administrative institutions in support of workplace communications. Like all internet access in Cuba, the access is filtered and relies on depreciated infrastructure and is subject to the rules, regulations and filtering of the state.
Recommendations
For Cuba to move from a stage 2 networked society to a stage 3 or 4 there are several key changes that will need to happen.
First and foremost the ban on the use of the internet, ownership of personal computers and its strong content filtering policies would need to be reconsidered and allow and promote the free use of these technologies. Secondly, the country's communications infrastructure would need to be upgraded to provide not only local country intranet access but strong connectivity to the internet backbone off of the island. Once the infrastructure is in place and access is permitted, more and more locally relevant content will be found. Citizens will begin to take advantage of resources on the internet from shopping to education. Overnight a developing customer base and new demands would spring up and create new business opportunity for local Cuban businesses. In addition, as more and more Cubans become familiarized, comfortable and trained with the various communications technologies, the more ICT's will be found in everyday life as well as the workplace, overtime creating true networked society.
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