Etecsa launches new international offer with triple balance, but users warn: "No one will top up"

Etecsa launched a new international recharge promotion from June 23 to 29 2025 which offers triple balance and unlimited data at night. 

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The offer, aimed at Cubans who receive top-ups from abroad, promises to triple the top-up amount (between 500 and 1250 CUP) and grant unlimited internet access from 12:00 am to 7:00 am for 30 days.

According to official informationThe balance received is credited to the user's primary account and will be valid for up to 330 days plus an additional 180. However, the data bonus can only be used during the established nighttime window and does not affect the validity of other bonuses or data, minutes, or SMS plans the customer may have active.

Cubans give their opinion on Etecsa's new offer

Although Etecsa highlights the offer as an attractive opportunity for its customers, Cuban reactions on social media have been overwhelmingly critical. “$20 is at least 6000 pesos, no one is going to top up,” said FG, referring to the real cost of sending remittances to Cuba. Others, like DG, emphasize that the informal exchange rate far exceeds what is reflected in the promotion: “They should add 7500 pesos as the balance. Not even quintuple the amount will make the difference.”

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Users insist that promotions, if they don't reflect the real Cuban exchange rate, will continue to encourage practices like credit scalping. "They're authorizing credit scalping... don't go and make another little program later to denounce it," JGP joked in a widely shared comment.

For their part, Cubans with relatives abroad say that despite the offer, it's more profitable to receive cash and buy credit on the black market. "Those with family abroad still ask for the $20, and it's better for them to buy credit here," they wrote on Etecsa's official website.

Although Etecsa's international promotion seeks to encourage the flow of foreign currency and maintain the use of its services, the gap between the official and real value of the CUP continues to be a barrier to these promotions having a greater impact. The widespread perception is that, without a real adjustment in the cost-benefit ratio, international top-ups will continue to become increasingly less attractive to Cubans.

 

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19 comments
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19 comments on "Etecsa launches new international offer with triple balance, but users warn: 'No one will top up'"

  1. Until when are these inconsistencies going to continue? If you recharge from abroad the dollar is worth 25 million, if you do it here the dollar is worth 300 and something. That is having double standards, in fact, it is in no way accessible to the working people who do not deserve to beg anyone to be able to communicate, that's what they work for. But well, the salary issue is the other horror movie for Cubans with a duration of 65 years, value the dollar at 123 as the supposedly legal government put it, because in the end they manipulate the value of the dollar at will. Oh, if the worker does it because of the need he has to acquire products and others, he is a criminal and a currency trafficker. Stop it now, the people deserve to live with dignity from their work. But this is impossible. Stand up and think. With each measure they only achieve discontent among the people and a mass exodus of young people. How I see it, Cuba will be in a few years a giant nursing home.

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  2. How is it possible that for 20 dollars or euros they give you 500 pesos in credit if ETECSA, which has more control than the Ministry of Finance and Prices and the bank, internally values ​​the dollar at 336 pesos? Extra plan for 10 dollars or 3360.00 pesos. I really don't understand. What price do they put on the dollar? Oh, I know, the one that comes from the testicles and ovaries of ETECSA officials.

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  3. OH ETECSA, ETECSA. THEY RELOADED MY CARD AROUND 1 PM AND ETECSA STILL HAVEN'T PUT MY BALANCE ON IT. ARE THEY INTENDING TO KEEP IT TOO? I NEEDED IT URGENTLY AND THAT'S WHY THEY RELOADED ME AND NOW THE LADIES, VERY EXPERT IN THE ART OF LYING, SAY THAT THE SERVER IS IN THE US 😂😂😂😂 WHAT CYNICISM!!! 😳😡IF THEY DON'T PUT MY RELOAD TODAY, TOMORROW YOU'LL SEE THE LITTLE SURPRISE 🔥🔥🔥👌

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    • This is tremendous abuse they have with the people, what a lack of respect. They didn't think that there are people who don't have anyone to recharge them from abroad. They didn't think about the poor. This only happens in beautiful Cuba.

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  4. I don't understand if the official rate of the country is 110 cup for 1 USD, because ETECSA still maintains the rate of 1 USD for 25 cup When that no longer exists, isn't that a violation? It's more likely they'll send you the 20 USD than they'll top you up...

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  5. the promotion of multiplying it by 112.80, not that they steal 90 and some pesos from us, even when the official dollar in Cadeca is 112.80, why do they value it at 25, readjustment, do not steal more, I am willing to leave the cell phone so that ETECSA goes bankrupt, the changes are a s……. so analyze why at 25 the fools who recharge me, send me money, they cannot stop anyone down ETECSA

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  6. I have forbidden my family from recharging my account. It would be better if they sent me that money and I used it to feed us with the hunger that exists.

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  7. I NEED TO KNOW IF WHAT WAS DISSEMINATED IN ETECSA OFFICIAL GAZETTE IS TRUE.
    ^ THAT WAS PENALTY WITH YEARS IN PRISON * IF THEY PASSED THE RECEIVED RECHARGE BALANCE TO ANOTHER PERSON * > please clarify this !!!

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  8. Why does ETECSA still set the dollar value for top-ups at 25 pesos, as it did when the convertible peso existed? It's necessary for them to consider paying the price set by the Cuban central bank. It seems everyone in Cuba can set their own prices as they see fit. Best regards.

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