A Cuban citizen revealed on social media that residents in rural areas of Holguín province are using an "invention" involving a pressure cooker lid as an antenna to improve their internet connectivity. An internet user shared on the Facebook profile "Holguín en fotos" that upon arriving in the village of Bariay, in the municipality of Rafael Freyre, he noticed many houses with something resembling a television antenna but "strange" looking.
Upon investigation, he was told that it is an invention that boosts signal coverage. "The antenna consists of a pressure cooker lid with an aluminum ring to which a cable (seemingly coaxial) is connected, leading to a curious wooden box," he explained. The source added that "inside that box, the cellphone is placed to enhance the signal coverage," so if the signal is very weak, placing the phone inside the box is the solution.
The source concluded that Cuban ingenuity knows no bounds and that if someone converted this into a business, sales would be guaranteed. In the comments section of the post, many internet users mentioned that this method has been used in rural areas of Holguín for some time. One user claimed that it is also used in Ciego de Ávila.
"If you arrive in the village of Dagame, in the popular council of the same name, in the municipality of Freyre, you'll be surprised by the dozens of antennas like this and other various structures. Even bigger ones! Any day now, extraterrestrials might contact us!" commented Glen Ronald Tamayo Valdés humorously.
"This exists all over Cuba, my friend. I've had mine for months and it saves me at least during power outages when there's no coverage. With it, you can have some internet, bad, but something. Oh, and the phone receives calls. It's no secret that in a neighborhood experiencing a blackout, cell phones show as off or out of coverage area," said Carlos Mario Guerra.
One internet user pointed out that it's not just necessity that drives innovation, but also the "ridiculous laws" that prevail in Cuba. "Did you know that for less than 50 dollars you can import a booster (a device with an antenna that amplifies the signal), enhancing coverage by up to 50% inside your own home without the need to have your mobile tied to one of these antennas? But unfortunately, its importation is banned by Customs; they fear everything they don't understand," commented another user.
Some noted that "there are already some entrepreneurs in this field" of strange antennas. Others attested that it’s a good invention and has been around for at least four years. In response to questions about how it's made since the photos don't show it clearly, an internet user indicated that there are Facebook groups with the antenna plans. Some explained that there are neighborhoods that use this invention to be able to use 4G during the frequent power outages.
"Not even the Chinese can surpass us; we are natural-born engineers," concluded one user.
Improving Internet Connectivity in Rural Cuba
Given the challenges faced by rural areas in Cuba with internet connectivity, here are some frequently asked questions and answers about this inventive solution using pressure cooker lids as antennas.
How does the pressure cooker lid antenna work?
The antenna is created from a pressure cooker lid with an aluminum ring. A coaxial cable connects it to a wooden box where the cellphone is placed, enhancing the signal coverage.
Is this solution widely used in rural Cuba?
Yes, many residents in rural areas of Holguín and other provinces like Ciego de Ávila have been using this method for some time to improve their internet connectivity.
Why can't Cubans import signal boosters?
Cuban Customs bans the importation of signal boosters, fearing the unknown technology, even though they can significantly enhance signal coverage inside homes.