Cuba is seemingly changing after decades of state repression (small steps, perhaps, but an encouraging start):
The Cuban president, Raúl Castro, today lifted restrictions on ownership of mobile phones.
Castro’s move was another indication that he is prepared to grant more freedom to the island’s residents.
The right to own mobile phones had been restricted to the employees of foreign firms or those holding key posts in the communist-run state.
Some Cubans had evaded the ban by asking foreigners to sign contracts in their names, but mobile phones remain relatively uncommon in Cuba compared with the rest of the world.
Other positive developments here.
Anthony’s comment demonstrates how dangerous it is to adopt one’s opinions on Cuba from US agency reports - the Cuban government has not been “lifting restrictions” on phones or computers (or toasters or TVs, as some US sources claim) but rather moving them into the realm of affordability - nor is this a change of policy, ‘post-Fidel’ - it reflects strong economic growth in Cuba in the last three years, and renewed attention to consumer goods - since the investment in a new power grid and some major power saving measures (2006-07) Cuba has now largely overcome its power problems, that made them price power-hungry appliances out of consumer reach.