Google offers Cubans free computer and Internet use

Google opened Cuba's first-ever free, high speed Internet connection at a new technology centre in west Havana. 

Stocked with 20 Chromebooks, the technology centre is housed in the studio of Alexis 'K'cho' Leyva, known for his plastic art and sculpture. 

The centre also contains 100 Google Cardboard virtual reality visors and two cameras capable of transmitting video from a YouTube channel. 

Open five days a week, through midnight, the centre can house up to 40 people at a time but Cuban Dayron Manresa said he hopes availability will spread throughout the country of over 11 million. 

"I wish this experience weren't just here but throughout the country so that it's not just two or three people enjoying it but that someday, we can wake up and have it as a common occurrence, that it would be normal to connect, search and find out about things as it is in other country." 

While there are already about 60 public WiFi areas in the country, they are not stocked with the latest technology and the Internet speed at Google's centre is substantially faster. 

Google and K'cho envision the centre will expand educational opportunities on the island. 

Yailin Fuentes said accessibility was particularly important for children and young people. 

"Well, I think this is very good for all the young people. You can see all the enthusiasm here. And it's good for children too because, in this way, they increase their knowledge. It's the best thing that has happened and we need it to continue increasing," she said. 

K'cho, who is also a National Assembly deputy, said the US embargo posed unique challenges in bringing the technology to the island. 

"It has been complicated because they (Google) have lots of traps. This country has been able to develop despite these traps. They (Google) thought the traps didn't exist and the traps are real. They're traps because, well, in the rest of the world, you pick up a telephone, you get on a computer, and there are dozens of supports, of applications, of things with which Google moves the world but here in Cuba they can't be used; it's impossible because of the blockade (embargo). For them to be here, many of these things had to be unblocked so they would be viable to use in this space. It's the first step," he said. 

K'cho hopes the centre can be used to increase communication between US and Cuban universities and scientists. 

Last month, during his historic visit to Havana, US President Barack Obama told ABC News that Google would set up more WiFi and broadband access on the island. — Reuters