OFAC Cuba Sanctions FAQ – Part VII – Telecommunications

50. What types of telecommunications and internet-based services are authorized under
general license?

OFAC has issued an expanded general license which, subject to appropriate conditions, generally
authorizes transactions that establish mechanisms to provide commercial telecommunications
services in Cuba or linking third countries and Cuba. OFAC has also updated the general licenses
authorizing telecommunications-related transactions, including payment related to the provision
of telecommunications involving Cuba or provided to Cuban individuals. Pursuant to this
provision, U.S. persons may, for example, purchase calling cards for people to use in Cuba and/or
may pay the bills of such people directly to a telecommunications operator located in Cuba, such
as ETECSA. These steps to facilitate improved access to telecommunications services for
Cubans and increased international connections are intended to increase the ability of the Cuban
people to communicate freely and to better provide for efficient and adequate telecommunications
services between the United States and Cuba. For a complete description of what this general
license authorizes and the restrictions that apply, please see 31 CFR § 515.542.

Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction may provide additional services incident to internet-based
communications and related to certain authorized exportations and reexportations of
communications items. The range of such services has been expanded to coincide with changes
to Commerce Department regulations, and such services can now be provided for a fee to certain
end users. For example, transactions incident to providing fee-based internet communications
services such as e-mail or other messaging platforms, social networking, VOIP, web-hosting, or
domain-name registration are now authorized in most circumstances. Services related to many
kinds of software (including applications) used on personal computers, cell phones, and other
personal communications devices are also authorized, along with other services related to the use
of such devices. Finally, services such as cloud storage, software design, business consulting,
and the provision of IT management and support related to use of hardware and software
exported or reexported to Cuba pursuant to the Commerce Department’s Consumer
Communications Device authorization is permitted. For a complete description of what this
general license authorizes and the restrictions that apply, please see 31 CFR § 515.578.

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