HAVANA (Reuters) - Hundreds of Cubans lined up at state-owned telephone offices on Monday as the new government under President Raul Castro began selling cellular phone service to the general public for the first time.
Thousands were expected to take advantage of theopportunity in the coming days, even though opening the serviceand buying the cheapest mobile phone was priced at theequivalent of more than nine months of state wages.
"It is a very good measure, but what we earn does notcorrespond with the price," said 33-year-old Gustavo, whonevertheless waited with around 100 others at an office inHavana's colonial district to buy the service.
Raul Castro has moved quickly to ease restrictions in thecommunist country since succeeding his ailing older brotherFidel Castro as president in February.
Cubans are now allowed to buy DVD players, computers andother electronic goods, and stay at tourist hotels previouslyreserved only for foreigners.
Cuba has the lowest rate of cellular telephone use in LatinAmerica and the service was restricted until now to foreignersor government officials and employees.
Customers will pay for their calls with prepaid cardsbought in hard currency, and can receive and make internationalcalls.
Cuban telecommunications monopoly ETECSA, a joint venturewith Telecom Italia, announced last month it would beginselling the service.
(Additional reporting by Rosa Tana Valdez and NelsonAcosta; Editing by Kieran Murray)
