Cuba authorizes sending text messages to US phones
More than two million Cubans live abroad, and with most in the United States, friends and families in Cuba have long been frustrated by the lack of a direct messaging service. Find out the latest news about Cuba’s text messages below.
Cuban telecommunications monopoly Etecsa Friday authorized Cubans to send text messages to the United States, lifting a restriction that has long frustrated the population.
“From December 8, 2017, you will be able to send text messages from any mobile phone internationally to any mobile phone in the United States,“
the firm said on its website.
It also stressed that the $0.60 charge for sending messages to the US is “similar to other international destinations.”
Web-based phone and messaging services are generally not an option in a country where internet access is highly restricted. Cuba text messages
Some 4.4 million Cubans used mobile internet services in 2020, while the number of cell phone users rose to 6.6 million, according to officials from the Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba S.A. (ETECSA) ETECSA, Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba S.A is a government-owned full telecommunications service provider for the island of Cuba.
How to Text A Cuban Cell Phone?
Texting a Cuban cell phone can be done in a few ways, though it can be costly due to high international fees. Here are the steps you can take to ensure successful communication:
1. Use a Standard International Text Message
- Format: Dial Cuba’s country code (53) followed by the Cuban mobile number.
- Example: If the number is 123456789, you would text +53 123456789.
- Cost: This option typically incurs international SMS charges, so check rates with your provider.
2. Use Messaging Apps
- WhatsApp or Telegram: These apps work if the recipient has internet access, which can be limited in Cuba but is becoming more common.
- Data Charges: Texting via these apps requires internet data rather than cellular SMS, which can save on costs.
3. Email to SMS Services
- Some providers allow you to send a text to a Cuban cell phone by emailing the message, though availability depends on the carrier.
- Service Providers: Cubacel, Cuba’s main mobile carrier, may offer options via an email-to-text gateway, but check with your provider for compatibility.
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