The limited sale and lack of clear information about the availability of SIM cards caused citizen complaints at an ETECSA office, in a context of prolonged service shortages.
MADRID, Spain.- A limited sale of SIM cards in an ETECSA office in the Vista Alegre neighborhood, in Santiago de Cuba, led to citizen complaints this Tuesday, after the product was sold out in a few minutes, despite having announced greater availability.
The situation occurred in a context of prolonged shortage of SIM cards in official points of sale, which has forced numerous users to turn to the informal market to access a service considered essential. According to information released by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, the state company had resumed the limited marketing of these cards in several offices in the province the day before.
The official price was set at 1,000 Cuban pesos, while, outside formal channels, the cards can reach prices of up to 10,000 pesos. This difference, marked by scarcity and high demand, has generated repeated complaints among the population.
In the specific case of the Vista Alegre office, clients were initially informed that 100 SIM cards were available. However, when just over forty people had advanced in line, a worker reported that supplies had run out. The announcement caused dissatisfaction among those who had been waiting since early hours to access the service.
Several people demanded explanations and expressed their disagreement with the information offered, stating that they would not move from the place until they received a clear answer.
Images spread on social networks show groups of citizens gathered in front of the office, amidst verbal complaints. The fact revives questions about the management and transparency in the distribution of basic telecommunications services in the country, as well as the lack of accurate information for users.
The shortage of SIM cards in commercial offices is not an isolated problem in Santiago de Cuba. A report from CubaNet published in early December indicated that the crisis with the lack of these cards throughout the island is not new and has worsened over time, leaving millions of users without access to new or replacement lines for long periods.
The report includes testimonies from some people who resort to purchases from abroad or to offers in foreign currency available through international distributors, a resource that is not available to the majority of residents who depend on income in Cuban pesos.
This difficulty in accessing SIM cards adds to other frequent user complaints, such as interruptions in services, limitations in the activation of lines and the perception that the company is not responding effectively to demand. The contrast between official prices and those of the informal market deepens the discomfort, especially when connectivity has become a growing necessity for daily life, information and family communication.
