President Raul Castro has announced that Cubans are now allowed unrestricted access to mobile phones for the first time, in the latest reform.  Granma, the official newspaper of the communist party, state telecom monopoly ETECSA said it would offer mobile services to the public in the next few days. 

A small number of  Cubans already own mobile phones, but they have had to acquire them via a third party, often foreigners.

Cuba has the lowest cell phone usage in Latin America.. Like all other countries Cubans will now be able to subscribe for cell phone service. However, they will have to pay for the service in foreign currency making the service available to the wealthier Cubans or those with relatives and friends living abroad..

Reforms ETECSA says the revenues will be used to fund telecommunications development in Cuba.

Two weeks ago, a ban on a wide range of consumer electrical appliances was lifted, after Raul Castro said in his inaugural speech as president that he would act to ease some of the restrictions on Cubans’ daily lives.

Tight restrictions remain in place on internet access in homes and on foreign travel.

Raul, 76, was selected as president in February, after the retirement of his ailing older brother, Fidel..