T-Mobile Strikes Cuba Roaming Deal

T-Mobile US Inc. said it signed a roaming agreement with Cuba's state-run telecommunications company, providing voice, text and data service starting this summer for subscribers who travel to Cuba.

The deal with the Empresa De Telecomunicaciones De Cuba SA also lowers prices for T-Mobile subscribers making calls to Cuba from the U.S.

T-Mobile said it has more customers of Cuban descent than other wireless providers. Chief Executive John Legere said that "connecting them with family and friends in Cuba is a message we heard loud and clear" from customers on social media.

Under the deal, customers can call landlines and wireless phones in Cuba from the U.S. for 60 cents a minute, which T-Mobile said was 65% less than its current rate. Starting this summer, T-Mobile customers will also be able to use voice, text, and data while in Cuba.

Other U.S. cellular firms already have a presence in Cuba.

Sprint Corp. and Verizon Communications Inc. currently offer roaming service on the island.

AT&T was expected soon to complete a roaming agreement with the Cuban firm, also known as Etecsa, The Wall Street Journal reported in March. A representative from AT&T wasn't immediately available for comment.

In April, T-Mobile reported strong subscriber gains for the first quarter, helping the company boost revenue 11% and swing to a profit.

Shares of T-Mobile rose 0.8% to $39.79 in early trading in New York.

Write to Joshua Jamerson at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 09, 2016 11:25 ET (15:25 GMT)

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