Raul Castro: Cubans can have cell phones

It's hard to declare Raul Castro's announcement that he's granting ordinary Cubans the ability to own cell phones a major step in the cause of freedom there--not many Cubans can afford the latest Nokia handset--but it's a baby step and one that will be welcomed in the impoverished nation.

The Communist-ruled island has a mobile network constructed for foreigners and the nation's elite. But it's hard to believe that there are cell towers in small villages. Isolated towns in America don't always have mobile phone coverage--the critical mass to support cell service just isn't there.

As for mobile phones, I imagine the cost of them puts them out of reach for most Cubans. Phones are cheap or free here because of two year contracts. Pre-paid service will be the answer in the short term--look for a lot of second hand devices making their way to Raul Castro's Cuba.

And if you're a tourist in Cuba traveling with your cell phone--keep a close eye on it. Now that they can be activated there, there's more of a motivation for the handsets to be stolen.

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