Why does the phone calls from USA to Cuba are so expensive?

Question

The cost of phone calls USA-Cuba is about $1 / minute. To the rest of countries which are more than ten times more far away the cost is one fourth that price.

Please, don't answer simply it is the embargo.

Answer 1

1) there is an embargo.

2) fidel is raping people calling relatives, fidel's way of getting even for their escape.

3) the telco equipment in cuba is pre-computer and very inefficient.

Answer 2

I know you didn't ask, but www.cloncom.com has a great deal on USA/Cuba phone calls, where it's closer to 50 cents per minute.  Still expensive, but the best deal I've found!   We use cloncom.com every time we call Cuba and they're efficient and we've never had any problems with billing or anything.

Answer 3

It is a combination of things. For starters, U.S. companies are not allowed to do much of anything in Cuba, particularly setting up phone lines or switchboards. So they rely on the dated Cuban technology, and are able to charge a premium because of scarce technological and infrastructure availability, combined with a lack of competition.