White House says U.S. telecom shift on Cuba to spur info flow

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's move to allow U.S. telecommunications companies to apply for licenses in Cuba is aimed at increasing the flow of information to the communist-ruled island, the White House said on Monday.

"We stand on the side of having more information rather than less information reach the Cuban people," Dan Restrepo, a special assistant to Obama, told a news briefing.

The White House said on Monday the shift would allow U.S. telecommunications companies to set up fibre-optic cable and satellite links between the United States and Cuba, to start roaming service agreements with Cuban companies and would permit U.S. residents to pay for telecoms, satellite radio and satellite television services provided to individuals in Cuba.

(Editing by Sandra Maler)