ETECSA Reports Widespread Telecommunications Disruptions in Western Cuba
Havana, Cuba – mobile data, base stations, adn fixed telephone services across several provinces in western Cuba experienced meaningful disruptions on Wednesday following a widespread electrical outage.State telecommunications company ETECSA confirmed teh impact, reporting varying levels of unavailability in Mayabeque, Havana, Artemisa, and Pinar del Río.
According to an ETECSA report issued at 11:00 AM local time, the provinces are experiencing the following service impacts:
* Mayabeque: 38% impact on mobile services, 25% impact on fixed telephony.
* Havana: 58% impact on mobile data, 18% impact on fixed telephony.
* Artemisa: 20% impact on mobile data,35% impact on fixed telephony.
* pinar del Río: 46% impact on mobile data, 55% impact on fixed telephony.
ETECSA cautioned that these figures are subject to change as electricity is restored. the disruptions are a direct result of power outages that began earlier in the day due to a failure in the national electrical system, causing voltage drops that took numerous base stations offline. These stations require a stable power supply to function.
Users throughout the affected regions have reported difficulties connecting to mobile internet, interruptions during national calls, and issues sending text messages. in some municipalities, mobile data is either intermittent or operating at significantly reduced speeds. Fixed telephone lines are also experiencing failures,particularly in areas where the power outage has been prolonged,hindering communication for businesses,workplaces,and residents.
ETECSA stated that service availability will improve as power is restored to each territory. While some systems are operating on temporary backup power, these resources are insufficient to handle full traffic volume.
The disruptions occur against a backdrop of ongoing energy instability in Cuba,marked by frequent generating unit failures,fuel shortages,and regional disconnections. The recent failure of the Felton thermoelectric plant, combined with other limitations within the national energy system (SEN), has contributed to interruptions in various public services. Telecommunications infrastructure is particularly vulnerable during extended power outages or when backup systems fail, especially in densely populated areas.
ETECSA has committed to providing updates as service availability improves and returns to normal levels.
