Here’s a really short history lesson: Fidel Castro, one-time dictator of Cuba, left his throne a couple of months ago due to failing health, leaving the country in the hands of his brother Raul.

Not a whole lot changed after the switch, minus the fact that the government recently gave out 3,000 Daewoo microwaves. Okay, there was actually one major thing – Cubans are now officially allowed to have cell phone service, which is sort of a milestone for the island country considering only foreigners and government officials could legally use a mobile phone up ’til then. So that’s the cool part.

The not-so-cool part is that few residents can actually afford a cell phone, thanks to an average wage that’s less than $20 US dollars combined with a wacky rule stating that cell phone service minutes have to be paid in “convertible pesos” which, according to Forbes, costs 24 times a regular peso.

And on a related note, Cubans are also now allowed to buy computers, DVD players, car alarms, and televisions (or at least they will be on Tuesday).

Get the whole scoop at Forbes: Raul Castro: Cubans Can Have Cell Phones

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