Verizon announced Thursday it will now offer customers roaming service in Cuba, making it the first U.S. carrier to do so.
According to a company press release, beginning next week those traveling to the area can opt-in to a Pay-As-You-Go International Travel option that will offer voice calls for $2.99 per minute and data for $2.05 per megabyte. Standard international messaging rates will apply.
“Our customers are citizens of the world, and we want them to seamlessly enjoy a great Verizon experience wherever they travel,” said Verizon vice president of cultural and segment marketing Javier Farfan. “By offering international services while traveling in Cuba, we are making it simple and easy for our customers to stay connected wherever and whenever they choose.”
The move follows fiercely competitive summer between carriers seeking to expand their international offerings.
Verizon is the first U.S. carrier to offer roaming to Cuba, but prepaid carriers Cricket (AT&T), Boost (Sprint) and MetroPCS (T-Mobile) all seized on cooling relations between the United States and Cuba. Earlier in the summer the trio of no-contract carriers began offering plans that allowed calls to Cuba.
