Only recently did Raul Castro ease restrictions on “luxury electrical goods”, allowing Cubans to own items such as mobile phones, computers, and microwaves.

Yet mobile phones will remain out of reach for most Cubans.  Phone contracts are costing Cubans more than six times the average state salary of $120, not including the cost of a phone or calling cards. Still, many Cuban citizens were lining up outside the door and down the entire block at Havana telephone centers to get their hands on mobile phones.

The world has watched as developing countries rapidly embrace technology to further the democratic process, from protests through SMS in Zimbabwe to using Facebook to Organize Burma Protests. 

So, will Cuba be the next country to utilize mobile technology to create democratic reform?  We think so.  Although the cost of mobile phones may weaken the short-term affects of Cuba’s move towards democracy, it shouldn’t be long before we start seeing and hearing from many more Cuban citizens on the Net who are ready for reform.