Questions raised by the takeover of SNET, Havana's community network

Last May, Cuba's Ministry of Communication (MINCOM) announced resolutions 98 and 99 limiting wireless transmission power and outdoor cables that made community networks like Havana's SNET, illegal. Since SNET was the world's largest community network that did not have Internet access, implementation of the resolutions was postponed for 60 days for negotiations between SNET administrators and MINCOM. The negotiations have ended with a decision to transfer SNET's services and content to ETECSA, Cuba's government-monopoly ISP, and to provide access through Cuba's nationwide chain of 611 Youth Computer Clubs (YCCs), as illustrated by the diagram shown here.

The new regulations authorize people to install WiFi equipment in their homes and businesses in order to access the YCCs, represented by the blue building, and public WiFi hotspots, represented by the sunny outdoor location. The diagram also shows cables running from the YCCs to larger buildings that may represent ETECSA data centers, wireless Internet points of presence and homes with DSL connectivity.

The government says SNET "will grow with the increased infrastructure” of the YCCs and ETECSA and claims that the intent of Resolutions 98 and 99 is to expand Internet access, but many in the SNET community fear losing access to and control of the assets they have created. You can see their point of view by searching Twitter for the hashtags #YoSoySnet and #FuerzaSnet. The protesters (and I) have many questions about the takeover, like:

• While some testing has begun, this conversion will take time and resources -- why not allow parallel operation of SNET during the cutover to ETECSA/YCC?
• How many homes are close enough to connect to current WiFi hotspots and YCCs?
• Given the current planned infrastructure expansion, how long will it take to re-connect all current SNET users?
• How many of the 611 YCCs have fiber links and what is the schedule for connecting the others?
• Are rooftop and other outside antennas legal (MINCOM FAQ 18)?
• Will wireless network installer be added to the list of self-employment occupations (MINCOM FAQ 19)?
• What provisions are being made to extend connectivity to community network members in smaller cities, outside of Havana?
• SNET offers many services in addition to gaming -- social networking (similar to Facebook), FTP (file transfer) for content sharing, live music streaming, software for download, and forums for developers and engineers, poetry, literature, comics, and sports. Will all of the current SNET services and content be supported?
• Was the ETECSA/YCC migration anticipated and planned for during the drafting of resolutions 98 and 99?
• Were SNET and YCC representatives consulted or involved in the drafting of resolutions 98 and 99?
• There has been some dissension among SNET administrators in the past -- was this agreement approved unanimously?
• In Spain, the UK, Argentina, and other nations, the decision was made to cooperate with and support community networks -- to treat them as cooperatively-owned Internet service providers. Did MINCOM consider that alternative and, if so, why was it rejected?
• Some SNET members have been detained and threatened for voicing opposition to the takeover of the network -- are those reports accurate?
• What will ETECSA/YCC charge for access to former SNET services?
• Did MINCOM do a cost/benefit analysis of the conversion?
• Will former SNET members be compensated in any way for their investment in equipment or time in creating intellectual capital in the form of content, software or communication infrastructure?

SNET was a Cuban success story -- a user-owned and operated cooperative that developed infrastructure, applications, and content. SNET and the other Cuban community networks may have connected as many homes as ETECSA's home DSL service, Nauta Hogar. Cuba's community networks also developed human capital -- experienced users and technicians who, in the long run, benefit both ETECSA and society.

Skeptics see this takeover as confiscation of community assets rather than an effort to better serve the public. Transparent answers to these and related questions could ease their concerns and I hope ETECSA and the JCCs are able to quickly deliver on their promises.

SNet: inicio o final?

This post was written by a friend who asked me to post it anonymously. (I am just a platform, like Facebook or 8chan :-).

El pasado 10 de agosto decenas de integrantes de SNet se reunieron en las afueras del Ministerio de Comunicaciones de Cuba para solicitar una vía legal que impida la desaparición de la red.

A finales de mayo, dos resoluciones ministeriales, las resoluciones No 98 y la 99 del Ministerio de las Comunicaciones, establecían un nuevo marco regulatorio del espacio radioeléctrico cubano, legalizaban las redes privadas, aunque los límites impuestos suponían la desaparición de SNet, la gran infraestructura habanera de acuerdo a la tipología empleada por sus administradores desde hace más de 10 años.

Sin embargo, la solución de las autoridades de comunicaciones y los reguladores fue la fusión con la infraestructura de los Joven Club de Computación, una organización adscrita a la Organización de los Jóvenes Comunistas, la rama juvenil del Partido Comunista de Cuba.

Con tal medida se disuelve la hasta ahora precaria autonomía de la red comunitaria habanera.

Muchos de los administradores quedaron conformes con las nuevas condiciones. Otros no. Estos últimos convocaron a otro encuentro frente a las instalaciones del Ministerio de Comunicaciones el pasado sábado 17 de agosto, la cual no se efectuó debido al despliegue en la zona y detenciones por parte de las autoridades policiales, de acuerdo a los propios activistas y medios alternativos de noticias.

El arreglo consiste, de acuerdo al sitio oficial Cubadebate, en una alianza técnica que permitirá trasferir todas las prestaciones de la red hacia estos centros estatales, utilizando la infraestructura propia de los Jóvenes Clubes y las de ETECSA.

De acuerdo a esta nota oficial:

Los integrantes de las redes privadas de La Habana entregaron más de 250 productos, entre juegos y servicios, desarrollados por ellos mismos a los Joven Club. El director general de Comunicaciones del Mincom asevera que los programadores podrán ser contratados como colaboradores y reconoce el talento de los jóvenes de las redes privadas. Joven Club puede contratar a estos muchachos como colaboradores o como trabajadores. Hay espacio para que puedan seguir desarrollándose y que el servicio continúe creciendo, así nos beneficiamos todos. Este proyecto es inclusivo, los juegos que hasta ahora se disfrutaban en un barrio de La Habana, por ejemplo, estarán a disposición de gamers de todo el país. Esta buena nueva despeja la mayor preocupación de las comunidades: quedarse desconectadas. Según Plá Feria, el MINCOM y los Joven Club robustecen su infraestructura para llegar a la mayor cantidad de lugares posibles. “Incluso, ya se emplean los equipos de quienes integran las redes privadas, gracias a su disposición de colaborar y extender sus prácticas aprovechando las potencialidades de “la computadora de la familia cubana.

El propio diario del Partido Comunista de Cuba, Granma, publica una nota sobre el asunto.

En estos momentos se realizan las pruebas de conexión y trabajos de acondicionamiento de la infraestructura tecnológica para la expansión de la wifi en algunas instalaciones de La Habana: Palacio Central de Computación, Cerro v Parque Manila, Playa IX, así como en el municipio de 10 de Octubre y en la urbanización de Alamar.

Las pruebas que se realizan en estos momentos son libres de costo, aunque en etapas siguientes las tarifas que se implementen serán más asequibles para las familias que se conecten a esta red, señaló Díaz Meriño.

Los servicios traspasados incluyen foros, las redes sociales, los juegos en línea, y otros. Ya ha comenzado en algunos “pilares” habaneros, como el del Cerro. Hasta el momento libres de costo; pero se anuncia que en un futuro se cobraran.

Con esta fusión los Jóvenes Clubes utilizaran la infraestructura desplegada de forma cooperativa por los administradores y usuarios de la red; los que a su vez tendrán que acceder a un mayor costo cuando se cobren los servicios.

Usuarios en la página de Cubadebate anotan estas preocupaciones entre los que están a favor y posen sus suspicacias (se ha respetado la ortografía original).

Maximino dijo:

Considero que el SNet independientemente que es una red privada a logrado muchas cosas hasta este momento que el estado no ha logrado, con pocos medios y de forma prácticamente gratuita, con gran cúmulo de servicios y una plataforma casi en la totalidad de la habana, en igual sentido lleva años posibilitando la diversión de los pequeños y mayores de la casa, me pregunto podrá los joven club integrar los usuarios q pretendan acceder a estos servicios, los costos del estado serán igual q los q impone etecsa q. Son casi imposible pagar? Esta red estará disponible para el 2030?

Daylin dijo:

Buenos días Maximino, lo que pretende Joven Club es integrar y aumentar los servicios para el disfrute de la familia. Los precios les aseguramos que seran módicos, por debajo del menor precio de las redes privadas. No es objetivo de Joven Club enriquecerse con estas acciones si no que haya una red segura, amplia y bajo las resoluciones. El precio sera colegiado entre Joven Club y las personas de las redes. Espero que se despejen sus dudas. Estamos para que los usuarios esten claros en todo lo que esta pasando.

mimismo dijo:

Hola, si los precios que se van a cobrar van a ser por debajo de los minimos que se cobran en las redes privadas, ¿Cuánto me cobrarán a mi que me conecto de gratis y siempre lo he hecho de gratis acá en Santa Clara?

Las redes comunitarias suelen constituirse y adaptarse de forma cooperativa y colaborativa a partir de la necesidad de los usuarios; algo que muchos no ven que suceda en los Jóvenes Club de Computación. Y no es tema de precios, se conoce que el acceso a la internet en Cuba es uno de los más onerosos en el mundo, aproximadamente 1 USD la hora de conexión en una zona WiFi. El tema que más suspicacias conlleva es la perdida de la autonomía de la red tal y como se ha desarrollado hasta hoy al ser fusionada con una organización estatal y política, con su propia agenda y prioridades. Incluso entre los estatutos actuales de la SNet está que no se permite hablar o debatir de política, religión, sexo o pornografía. Uno de los valores de estas redes cubanas es que no se hace hincapié en la posible rentabilidad financiera o promover una agenda política o religiosa.

Otros ven el futuro más optimista.

Shadow Walker Administrador de SNET (Street NETwork) CUBA - Perfil Oficial dijo:

Para gran parte de la comunidad de SNET a nivel nacional esta es una gran noticia aunque aun existe muchas dudas con respecto a los servicios. Dentro de estas y las mas importantes creo que ya debatidas por Doom y Julito personas muy queridas dentro de nuestro pequeño espacio digital es la de la conexion de usuarios los cuales viven muy distantes de los Joven Club, seria bueno que junto a estos sumen a todas las entidades que pertenecen al MINCOM para llegar a mas puntos de acceso dentro de la red nacional, ejemplos de estos, Joven Club ya incluidos, Etecsa, Correos de Cuba, Copextel, Radio Cuba, Radio Aficionados y demas entidades que cuenten en este momento con fibra óptica, también dentro de estos proyectos incluir he instruir a los gobiernos provinciales y municipales en cuanto a indicaciones para potenciar este tipo de conexion.

Pero tal y como la conocemos la SNet, como los dinosaurios, está condenada a desaparecer.

Cuba claims new regulations expand Internet access to homes and businesses, but here's the downside

The new regulations establish constraints on private network transmission power and cabling that, if enforced, would put Cuba's cooperatively-owned community networks out of business.

New Cuban regulations regarding private WiFi networks went into effect yesterday, and the New York Times and others proclaimed that "Cuba expands Internet access to private homes and businesses." Yes, Cubans can legally import and install WiFi routers in their homes, small cafes, B&Bs, etc., but these regulations will make little difference in Internet access.

For a start, very few homes and small businesses in Cuba have links to the Internet. Furthermore, my guess is that most people in homes that are connected to the Internet have already installed registered or unregistered WiFi routers. (Resolution No. 65/2003 dated June 5, 2003, states the procedure for registering a private data network).

If that is the case, what do these new regulations change?

They establish constraints on private network transmission power and cabling that, if enforced, would put Cuba's cooperatively-owned community networks, the largest of which is SNET in Havana, out of business. Even if they are not enforced today, they will hang like the sword of Damocles over their heads.

That's the bad news. The good news is that the Ministry of Communication has postponed enforcement for 60 days while they negotiate with SNET.

SNET will remain up during 60 days of negotiation (source).

Why would the Cuban government want to eliminate community networks? Do they see them as economic competitors to the government Internet service provider, ETECSA? Is ETECSA embarrassed by the fact that community networks connect so many people at so little cost? Do they fear clandestine, anti-government communication? I really don't know.

Guifi.net

If Cuba aspires to what the International Telecommunication Union refers to as fourth generation policy, which they characterize as "Integrated regulation – led by economic and social policy goals," they should regard the community networks as collaborators, not competitors. They should legitimitize SNET and the others, subsidize and work with them and provide them with Internet connectivity. SNET is the world's largest community network that is not connected to the Internet. Cuba should follow the lead set by Spain, where they have provided Internet connectivity to Guifi.net, the world's largest Internet-connected community network. Looking to the future, community networkers could play a valuable role in the installation of Cuba's 5G wireless infrastructure.

Cuba proudly proclaims (Trumpets) that they working toward the computerization of society. The outcome of these negotiations with SNET will shed light on the veracity of that claim.

Update 8/10/2019

The Cuban Ministry of Communications has refused to make an exception to their restrictions on wireless power and cabling and says SNET (and presumably other Cuban community networks) must shut down. Over one hundred people have gathered to protest the decision, allegedly without any call to do so.

This goes beyond the loss of a large community network -- it signifies Cuban government intransigence and belies the claim that they seek "computerization" of the society and a modern Internet.

I asked earlier, why they might want to eliminate rather than collaborate with community networks and suggested three possibilities:

1. They see community networks as economic competitors to ETECSA, the state-monopoly ISP.
2. They are embarrassed by the community networks' ability to connect so many people at so little cost.
3. They fear anti-government communication.

Since they control the Internet and have seen the example of countries like China which use a ubiquitous Internet as a tool of control, I lean toward answers 1 and 2.

Update 8/11/2019

Ernesto De Armas <@RealErnesto95>, tweeted this positive update on the negotiations with MINCOM:

Hola a todos. Por esta vía transmito las buenas nuevas respecto a SNET, hoy en la tarde el grupo de trabajo SNET-MINCOM llegaron a favorables acuerdos mediante los cuales se determinó que Snet va a pasar todos sus servicios a través de los JCC, los JCC a su vez estarán conectados por fibra óptica entre ellos y los servidores que contienen nuestros servicios se montarán en ETECSA.

También se autorizó a que los nodos se conecten a los JCC utilizando equipos de alta potencia que son los necesarios para poder hacer esto, entre estos equipos se incluyen los equipos de Ubikiti, Nanostation, etc de alta potencia, no pondrán trabas para estas conexiones hacia los JCC. También hay otra buena noticia, los servicios de SNET pronto estarán disponibles ¡Para todo el país!

También advirtió el grupo de trabajo respetar estos acuerdos y no realizar nada que pueda atentar contra los mismos, nada de manifestarse públicamente (que a mí entender no hace ya ninguna falta, ya hemos logrado lo que queríamos) ni hacer declaraciones ofensivas contra MINCOM. En mi opinión hemos ganado está batalla por la subsistencia de #Snet, ahora debemos cooperar entre todos para hacer de este proyecto algo mejor, incluso, a lo que teníamos anteriormente. Estoy sumamente contento, alegre y agradecido de que nuestras instituciones estatales no hayan hecho oídos sordos a nuestra causa. Hoy comienza una nueva era en la Informatización de la sociedad cubana

TheCubanJedi <@darthdancuba> asked "Podrán abrir algo de sNet a internet??" and Ernesto replied "No. De momento nada de internet a través de Snet como siempre ha sido."

This is unofficial, but if it is accurate, SNET will be more widely available and faster, but not yet on the Internet.

Update 8/12/2019

Sad to say, the August 10th update was accurate. Ernesto De Armas <@RealErnesto95> has learned that MINCOM has ruled against SNET and the restrictions on transmission power and cabling will be upheld.

Needless to say, this is disappointing to the users of Cuban community networks and to the general population since it is an indication that ETECSA is determined to remain a monopoly.

A demonstration protesting the decision will be held next Saturday. Here is the announcement:

Here is Ernesto's English translation:

As we have the conviction that Revolution is to change everything that needs to be changed, on Saturday, August 17th, from 9am in the park located in front of the MINCOM, behind the bus station terminal, we make a call to all persons filiated to Snet from all the provinces of the country.

SNET, a community created more than 15 years ago, is being affected by the resolutions 98 and 99, we fight and demand to have an autonomous SNET that keeps the social project that we have had during all these years and that reaches so many homes and Cuban families.

To everyone who has the feeling for Snet, which has been created by everyone, this is the time to fight against resolutions 98 and 99 that are attacking the correct functioning of our community, created with everyone's sacrifice and with more than a decade of existence and acceptance by thousands of Cubans.

This is the time to make MINCOM understand that true democracy is conceived and defined by the people and that we must be heard because we are the youth of this country, the new generation and as the future that we are we demand to be considered.

We urge and summon every teenager, young, adult or old person, without any difference who feels identified with our cause, either has enjoyed or not with our network and our services to support us from every place and every spot because WE ALL MATTER, WE ARE ALL SNET. On this depends the end of the beginning of a new dream, a new path that we want to follow, so we can accomplish our acknowledgment before the authorities and a happy ending to keep ourselves being what we are. Snet...

Cuba's new WiFi regulations -- a step forward, backward or sideways?

Cuba has legalized WiFi access to public Internet hotspots from nearby homes and small businesses, but SNET and other community networks remain illegal under the new regulations. Does this signify a significant policy change?

Soon after Cuba's state monopoly telecommunication company ETECSA began rolling out WiFi hotspots for Internet access, people began linking to them from homes and community street nets. These connections and importing the WiFi equipment they used were illegal, but generally tolerated as long as they remained apolitical and avoided pornography. Regulations passed last month legalized some of this activity in a bid to boost connectivity by allowing Internet access from homes and small private businesses like restaurants and vacation rentals that are located close enough to a hotspot to establish a WiFi connection.

The added convenience may generate more revenue for ETECSA and it will give the Ministry of Communication (MINCOM) some small fees and, more important, registration data on the local-area network operators. (If you license a connection, you have the power to rescind the license). It will also generate some additional network traffic, which may strain network capacity. There are two WiFi frequency bands -- 2.4 and 5 Ghz -- and a friend told me that currently only the 2.4 Ghz band is being used. The new regulations allow use of the 5 Ghz band as well, which will add capacity from homes and businesses to the hotspots, but backhaul capacity from the hotspots to the Internet may become more of a bottleneck and exacerbate quality of service problems.

So much for small networks, but what, if anything, will be the impact of these regulations and their enforcement be on larger, community networks, the largest of which is Havana's SNET? The new regulations bar cables that cross streets and radio transmitter power over 100 mW. SNET uses cables and higher-powered transmitters, so, if these regulations were enforced, they would put SNET and smaller community networks out of business.

However, community networks have been illegal and tolerated since their inception, so it may be that they will continue to be ignored. If that is the case, the new regulations don't really change the status quo, but what if these new regulations foreshadow a policy change? What if ETECSA were willing to collaborate with community networks following the example of Guifi.net in Spain?

SNET topology. Red dots are pillars;
others are second-level nodes (source).

If that were the case, ETECSA could take steps like providing high-speed wireless or fiber Internet connections at the locations of the central SNET backbone "pillars" and allowing cables and faster wireless links to and within second-level networks that serve up to 200 users. They could also cooperate with SNET administrators in purchasing supplies and equipment and network management and they could do the same for smaller community networks outside of Havana.

So, which is it -- a step backward with cracking down on SNET and other community networks, a slightly positive step adding locations from which one can access a WiFi hotspot, or a positive indication of a policy change and a step toward incorporating community networks into the recognized and supported Cuban Internet infrastructure?

We will know the answer after the new rules go into effect on July 29, but my guess is that it will be the middle choice, a slightly positive step. Cracking down on SNET would be disruptive -- eliminating jobs and depriving thousands of users of services they value and I don't think the government would want those problems. At the other extreme, full cooperation with community networks would mean ETECSA giving up control and the dilution of their bureaucratic and financial monopoly, which seems unlikely.

But, to end on a more upbeat note -- a friend tells me that he has heard that SNET community representatives are talking with the government. Could ETECSA and MINCOM have different views and, if so, who is in charge?

Update 6/15/2019

Two things. First, the friend I mentioned above commented on my speculation that MINCOM and ETECSA might have different views, saying "ETECSA and MINCOM are so tight together that is hard to say where one starts and the other one begins."

He also pointed out that the administrators of four of the SNET sub-nets posted a statement telling users to remain respectful and calm while they negotiate with MINCOM to protect the interest of SNET and other community networks. They have had one meeting in which they talked about spectrum and the statement refers to the "regulatory framework," suggesting that MINCOM is open to high-speed wireless links. They say the first meeting was productive and they will have future meetings.

This increases my confidence that SNET will survive under these new regulations and, if MINCOM allows high-speed links between the sub-nets, SNET performance will improve. It would be even better if the talks go beyond SNET's survival and move on to ways they can collaborate with ETECSA.

You can follow the negotiation progress on the SNET Facebook page.