VOA慢速英语 With US Tie, Cubans Have Better Access to Internet

AS IT IS 2015-09-05 With US Tie, Cubans Have Better Access to Internet

The United States and Cuba officially re-established diplomatic relations two months ago. The re-establishment of ties had led to better access of the Internet across Cuba.

Until recently, it has been difficult for Cubans to connect online with the rest of the world. Reports say only five percent of the population has full use of the Internet. But now, the Cuban government has approved sales of pre-paid cards for use of the Internet. Users need to buy them before they go online.

Roberto Gonzalez of Cuba is a wireless¹ Internet user. He is happy about the government’s approval. He says “It’s a possibility that has been given to the people, to connect to the world and communicate with their friends. I think this is a positive development."

The Cuban government owns the telecommunications company ETECSA. The company sells a limited number of the pre-paid cards each day. Cubans can buy 30 minutes of Internet time for about two dollars.

Galeano Park is one of 35 wireless centers set up across Cuba. The pre-paid cards can be used for any cell phone, computer laptop or tablet. But there are restrictions². Internet users can only make video calls using a government-approved application called the IMU” app.

Joe Arriola is a former city manager of Miami, Florida. He is happy with the developments in Cuba. “It is time to open the doors and communicate,” he says. “It's time to see how the two countries benefit. And I think that the two countries have opportunities to benefit."

The Cuban government says that Internet service is only provided by satellite because of U.S. restrictions on Cuba. But many people hope that the re-establishment of relations will enable technology companies to build stronger communications links. Selling pre-paid cards is the first step in this new process. The process might soon include more communication towers, fiber³ optic cable and sales of Apple iPhones.

Words in this Story

access – n. a way of being able to use or get something; use of something

benefit – n. a good or helpful result or effect

tower – n. a tall structure

fiber optic(s) – n. thin threads of glass or plastic to carry large amounts of information in the form of light signals

1 wireless   

adj.无线的；n.无线电

参考例句：

• There are a lot of wireless links in a radio.收音机里有许多无线电线路。
• Wireless messages tell us that the ship was sinking.无线电报告知我们那艘船正在下沉。

2 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

3 fiber   

n.纤维，纤维质

参考例句：

• The basic structural unit of yarn is the fiber.纤维是纱的基本结构单元。
• The material must be free of fiber clumps.这种材料必须无纤维块。