Havana, Cuba (AHN) - Cuba's new President Raul Castro has lifted a ban on ordinary citizens owning cell phones. The move is just the latest attempt by Fidel Castro's brother to modernize the Communist society.

In a statement published in Cuba's state-run Communist Party newspaper Granma, Castro said the public can get prepaid cell phone contracts from the island nation's single phone provider, Empresa de Telecommunicaciones de Cuba S.A..

Although average Cubans have a $20 per month state salary. the Italian-financed telecommunications company said it will accept Cuban Convertible Pesos, which are worth 24 times the regular pesos.

Cubans have been bypassed by much of the wave of cell phone usage that has swept other parts of the world. Despite being outlawed, Cuban citizens had in the past obtained mobile handsets through foreigners.

The 76-year-old new Cuban leader has rolled back a number of prohibitions since replacing his brother as President. Along with cell phones, Raul Castro has given consumers more access to electronics.