[ti:Cubans Look Forward to Using Internet] [ar:Jonathan Evans] [al:As It Is] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]Cuba is one of a few countries whose people still have very limited use of the Internet. [00:06.72]But some Internet users there have developed their own computer networks [00:12.17]to communicate, share documents and even play games. [00:17.13]Many young people in Cuba use their mobile devices [00:22.00]at government-operated community centers [00:24.92]to get free Internet connections. [00:27.45]This young man, named Kevin, likes the free connectivity. [00:32.43]He says that "Even though the community center connection [00:37.04]doesn't have the highest speed, it is free. [00:39.67]You can get on the Internet, most of the time." [00:42.54]Only a limited number of Cuban citizens have private Internet connections. [00:48.72]Such connections are costly in Cuba. [00:52.46]Foreigners can use the Internet at hotels, but the service is often pricey. [00:58.43]The Cuban government's promises of greater connectivity remain unfulfilled. [01:04.51]But private citizens do own computers. [01:08.05]And some of them are forming local networks to experiment, [01:12.63]connect and communicate with others. [01:15.53]Marlon is a young computer user. [01:18.46]He says that, "By creating a local network, [01:23.46]we created servers with games where people share with each other, [01:28.03]they exchange ideas, debate all kinds of subjects -- sports, culture, music." [01:33.86]Cables and wiring usually go over tops of buildings. [01:42.71]One cable can connect as many as 10 people in the same neighborhood. [01:47.62]Cubans know that computer game lovers in other countries [01:51.75]play in competitions against gamers from faraway lands. [01:56.73]They hope that someday they will be able to compete in gaming events over the Internet, too. [02:03.02]But the Cuban government's fear of the free flow [02:07.43]of information may hamper their wishes for some time. [02:10.70]I'm Jonathan Evans. [02:14.09]¸ü¶àÌýÁ¦Çë·ÃÎÊ51voa.com