China's Qianfan Emerges as Cuba's Satellite Internet Option, Eyeing 30-Nation Expansion
Updated
Updated · CircleID · Aug 17
China's Qianfan Emerges as Cuba's Satellite Internet Option, Eyeing 30-Nation Expansion
1 articles · Updated · CircleID · Aug 17
Summary
Qianfan has emerged as the most likely low-Earth-orbit internet provider for Cuba, with its local-partner model fitting Havana's preference for state-controlled telecom access.
Around 30 nations are negotiating with or have commitments from Qianfan, and Brazil is so far its only Latin American agreement—making any Cuba deal strategically important for China.
Starlink still cannot be legally sold in Cuba despite working there; estimates put illegal terminals at roughly 800, underscoring demand for satellite broadband beyond the state network.
China's broader edge comes from deep telecom ties through Huawei, ZTE and TP-Link, plus wider infrastructure investment that is increasingly displacing Russia as Cuba's main external backer.