Cubans, who have been struggling with slow internet speeds, will now be able to access faster Internet and telephone services, thanks to Venezuela-Cuba underwater fiber-optic cable that finally reached the island on Wednesday.

The arrival of the fiber-optic cable will enhance download speeds by an estimated of 3,000 times. It will also make international phone calls cheaper than before, thus transforming communications on one of the least wired nation in the world.

Medardo Diaz, Cuban minister for Information & Communications, said that the new connection would reinforce nation’s sovereignty by opening a breach in the economic blockade forced by the US.

Thus far, Cubans had to access the Internet using slower and costlier satellite connections. The US trade embargo on Cuba was first forced in 1962.

Speaking on the topic, Economic newsletter VenEconomia’s Robert Bottome said, "We're concerned about the increased communications between Cubans here, Cubans there and the Venezuelan people helping the Cubans."

The submarine cable starts from Camuri in northern Venezuela and runs more than 1,600 kilometers to reach Cuba. The ambitious project, which began on January 22, is valued at $70 million.