Sprint signs roaming telecom deal with Cuba

NEW DELHI: United States (US) telecom giant Sprint said that it has signed a direct roaming agreement with Telecommunications Company of Cuba (ETECSA).

With this, US company said it is the first U.S. wireless carrier to sign a direct agreement with ETECSA.

“We want to make sure any Sprint customer traveling to Cuba can use their phone the same way as they do in the United States,” said Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure.

Claure made the announcement at a signing ceremony in Havana as part of the U.S.-Cuba Business Council (USCBC) delegation to Cuba.

"As the only U.S. carrier with a direct roaming agreement and a direct long-distance interconnection agreement with Cuban provider ETECSA, Sprint is leading the way for U.S.-Cuba telecommunications," a statement said.

More than 3 million people from around the world are expected to visit Cuba this year. Within 10 years, that number is projected to grow to more than 5 million.

The USCBC, an advocacy organization housed at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is a formal commitment by the American business community to build a strong and strategic commercial relationship between Cuba and the United States.

Earlier this year, Sprint launched Sprint Global Roaming and in August launched Sprint Open World, an industry-leading plan for connectivity in Canada, Mexico and most other countries across Latin America.

"The agreement signed today with ETECSA makes it much more convenient for Sprint customers who plan to work, study or visit family in Cuba. Offer details and timing of availability will be announced soon.Sprint signs roaming telecom deal with Cuba," the company said.