I believe you meant ETECSA, which uses part of the X.25 network

Posted By: terryf <fabbrisd@aol.com>
Date: 8/30/2001 23:58

In Response To: I've been told (and gotten Email) from the Cuba phone company "ETECA" and now offers (Tsm)

The X.25 ISP network in Cuba is setup for the joint venture businesses in Cuba, and is also the ISP network hotel guests can use for internet access at select hotel that have business centers (the Nationale has the best ambinace).

The X.25 ISP connects up thru Canada (rather than intl Sprint).

The national phone company ITECSA, uses the X.25 network, and started selling $15/5hr internet cards (to tourists only) about 3 months ago.

The service does work well in Havana (I tried a demo), but I am uncertain of local access in Santiago. Ask when you pick up the card (they have a booth at the airport, or check at a major hotel in Havana). Worst worst case, I think intra-city LD tel to the Havana dial-up is real cheap in pesos after 8PM

My Mexican joint venture company (in telcom and internet DSL equiptment) uses a monthly service INTESCA dial-up link (avg 32-36kps in Miramar). Right now monthly busines dial-up is more expensive than the card.

My internet cafe concept is proposed thru as a jv with CITMATEL, which operates the government owned backbone ISP in Cuba.

For more info on phone and internet in Cuba (fairly up-to-date), see link below for a July board discussion on seattlecuba

http://www.seattlecuba.org/faq/Phone.htm