Sunday, April 12, 2009

Obama Authorizes U.S. Telecom Opening with Cuba

President Barack Obama's new policy towards Cuba includes several telecom provisions. Specifically, the President has directed the Secretaries of State, Treasury, and Commerce to:

  • Authorize U.S. telecommunications network providers to enter into agreements to establish fiber-optic cable and satellite telecommunications facilities linking the United States and Cuba.


  • License U.S. telecommunications service providers to enter into roaming service agreements with Cuba's telecommunications service providers.


  • License U.S. satellite radio and satellite television service providers to engage in transactions necessary to provide services to customers in Cuba.


  • License persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction to activate and pay U.S. and third-country service providers for telecommunications, satellite radio and satellite television services provided to individuals in Cuba.


  • Authorize the donation of certain consumer telecommunication devices without a license.
http://www.whitehouse.gov