Cuba announced on Thursday it's expanding Internet access by adding Wi-Fi capacity to dozens of state-run Internet centres and more than halving the cost that users pay for an hour online.

The announcement is the first significant expansion of the internet on the island since the United States and Cuba agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations in December.

Thirty-five government computer centres around the country will have Wi-Fi starting next month, and the price of one hour online would drop to 2 US dollars from 4.50 US dollars now, the Communist government said.

That price remains unaffordable for most Cubans but the change would represent a significant improvement in access for many people.

Home Internet remains illegal for most of the Cuban population and online access at offices with Internet is highly limited and controlled.

AP TELEVISION

Havana - 18 June 2015

1. Cubans surfing the internet at Wi-Fi (wireless internet) hotspot, Cuban flag painted on wall

2. Close of people using mobile phones

3. Various of Cubans gathered at Wi-Fi hotspot

4. Close of laptop

5. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Eliecer Mesa, Cuban student:

"The internet is a network, a worldwide computing system, and it's good that we have access to everything the internet represents, so we can communicate with the whole world."

6. Young women surfing the internet

7. Close of tablet

8. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Yoan Llannes, Havana resident:

"The first thing they need to improve now is the (internet) service. The download speed is a little slow sometimes and you spend the 4.50 (US dollars, referring to the price of one hour online) very quickly when you connect to pages like Facebook or Twitter. The prices should keep going down."

9. Close of mobile phone

10. People walking on street near Wi-Fi hotspot

11. Cars passing by street, people waiting to cross