Cuba legalizes the importation and use of wireless equipment for private networks and the Internet.

Cuba will legalize the import of equipment for private networks and Wi-Fi with internet access. This is supported by two resolutions from the Ministry of Communications (MINCOM) published this Wednesday in the Official Gazette of Cuba.

According to the report of cubadebateStarting July 29, private Wi-Fi networks with Internet access will be legal in Cuba.

The Ministry of Communications has established resolutions 98 and 99 for the legalization of wireless or wired interconnected communities, as well as for the remote connection of individuals to the network of the Cuban Telecommunications Company ETECSA.

These resolutions establish a license to operate private external data networks for individuals in Cuba, who may use them in the 2400 MHz to 2483.5 MHz frequency band and the 5725 MHz to 5850 MHz band.

These are the new Wi-Fi devices that the Cuban government allows to be imported.

According to the new regulations, Cubans with personal networks at home do not require an operating license, provided they use these networks for non-commercial purposes and do not exceed 100 milliwatts (mW, equivalent to 200-300 meters) of effective power.

However, according to the legislation, each legal entity or self-employed worker will have to pay between 800 and 8 pesos for the use of the radio spectrum with equipment imported to Cuba for this purpose, as well as 000 pesos for each external antenna.

According to Resolution 98: "legal entities authorized to market telecommunications equipment and auxiliary devices in the country must obtain a permit" valued at 8 pesos "in the corresponding currency" to access "the frequency bands from 000 MHz to 2400 MHz, 2483.5 MHz to 5150 MHz, 5350 MHz to 5470 MHz and 5725 MHz to 5725 MHz."

This license will be valid for four years. The equipment requires prior approval from the General Directorate of Communications before entering Cuba. If it does not have the Approval Certificate, the equipment will undergo testing at the General Directorate of Communications, and the costs of this process must be borne "in full by the applicant."

Self-employed workers who import their equipment directly to Cuba must pay 1 pesos for "temporary licenses issued for a period of no more than one month" for the use of the radio spectrum.

Those holding permanent licenses must pay 800 pesos "plus two thousand pesos for each antenna." Should they wish to modify their license, they will have to pay an additional 100 pesos and another 2000 pesos for each new antenna outside, according to the regulations.

The new resolutions, for their part, enable a license for wired and wireless networks when the antenna is located in outdoor areas. This connection can be established around the core of the network, and a building or block can be connected, provided it does not interfere with public roads and does not exceed the regulated limit of 100 mW (200-300 m).

The legislation of the Cuban Ministry of Communications supports the establishment of a network operator license, which has a value of ten Cuban pesos (CUP), and a validity of two years.

Similarly, the use of a wireless antenna in outdoor areas requires another authorization costing ten pesos, valid for five years.

The application process for this license will result in the issuance of the license to the owner of the property. Self-employed workers will need prior authorization from the landlord or owner of the property.

The license can be obtained through an online form available on the Cuban Ministry of Communications website (www.mincom.gob.cu) or in the Territorial Directorates of the Technical Budget Unit for Radio Spectrum Control.

It is worth clarifying that Cubans who import antennas or other materials for personal use are not required to pay for the radio spectrum license. However, they do require technical authorization for the equipment. If they do not have it, the authorities will confiscate the equipment.

To import wireless data connection equipment for personal use, a request for technical authorization for the equipment must be submitted through the MINCOM Web Portal, by email, or to the Territorial Directorates of the Technical Budget Unit for Radio Spectrum Control.

The equipment must comply with the regulations established by the Cuban Ministry of Communications. Upon entry into Cuba, it will be held at Customs for inspection. If it complies with regulations, it will be returned to its owner. If a prior authorization request has been submitted, upon entry of the equipment into the country, it will only be verified that it is the same equipment as declared.

The resolutions do not include "equipment and devices that are part of terminal equipment, such as laptops, palmtops, Personal Digital Assistants known in English by its acronym PDA, cell phone terminals, DVDs, printers and other similar devices."».

These new MINCOM regulations cover the sale of equipment approved for use on private data networks in the island's retail store network.

The Cuban Ministry of Communications is thus limiting the entry into the island of any equipment that could be used on Wi-Fi networks not included in the 2400 MHz to 2483.5 MHz and 5725 MHz to 5850 MHz bands and that exceeds 100 milliwatts (mW), equivalent to 200-300 meters.