Cuba's government said it provided free internet to the communist-run island's more than 5 million cellphone users on Tuesday, in an eight-hour test before it launches sales of the service.

Cuba is one of the Western Hemisphere's least connected countries. State-run telecommunications monopoly ETECSA announced the trial, with Tuesday marking the first time internet services were available nationwide.

There are hundreds of Wi-Fi hotspots in Cuba but virtually no home penetration.