The country has announced its plans to expand access to the worldwide web. It is going to add Wi-Fi capacity to multiple state-run Internet centers. In addition, Cuba will more than halve the cost users pay for an hour online.

It became known that 35 government computer centers in the country would have Wi-Fi starting in July, with the price dropping to $2 from $4.50 per hour now. Despite the fact that $2 still remains unaffordable for most citizens, this move represents a significant improvement in access for many people.

It should be noted that home Internet is still illegal for most of the population, while online access at offices is limited and censored. The only Wi-Fi networks have been at tourist hotels, but the access was sold at hourly prices equal to 25% of the average monthly salary for locals.

Of course, 35 new Wi-Fi points would be insignificant, but hopefully it’s just a first step. Industry experts say that Cuba’s lack of connectivity is explained by its fear that the worldwide web may catalyze social unrest. In response, the Cuban government blames the US embargo and promised to expand access for its citizens. Thus, the state communications monopoly recently experimented with a temporary price cut to $2, while the artist Kcho launched a free and open, government-sanctioned Wi-Fi connection in Havana.

Surprisingly enough, many Cubans, especially young people in Havana, are as technologically adept as their peers in other countries, despite severe limits on technology. For instance, the latest iPhone is a surprisingly common sight in the capital. Cuba also has numerous privately run mobile-phone stores where smartphone owners can get apps installed directly from computers instead of the Internet.