The University Student Federation (FEU) of the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Havana issued a statement this Saturday expressing its disagreement with the new rates announced the day before by the Telecommunications Company of Cuba (ETECSA).
In their message, they denounced that what has been labeled as a "tarifazo" is not appropriate and was implemented without consulting opinions and without prior notice. They also believed that the measures restrict academic performance and achievement, but also "the fulfillment of tasks related to teaching and work committees, especially communication."
According to the statement shared on social media, university students consume more than 6GB per month and would have no way to access extra plans with a monthly stipend of only 200 Cuban pesos, an amount that only allows them to afford the lowest data plan (valued at 120 Cuban pesos).
The text refers to the impact that the arbitrary decision to set a maximum recharge amount of 360 CUP (which is enough for 6GB) has on the lives and performance of students. Access to updated bibliographic sources, as well as communication with professors and specialists, will be affected by this restriction.
"A university student who is in the process of completing their studies or conducting independent research needs internet access to obtain updated bibliographic resources and produce quality work, in line with the scientific rigor that characterizes our University of Havana. Many supervisors of the aforementioned theses and independent research are, for professional reasons, outside the country, and virtual communication with students makes it possible to continue these projects," they asserted in a forceful and unprecedented statement against the regime's new imposition.
On the other hand, they explained that social media is the channel through which the University Student Federation communicates with the student body, which could lead to a fragmentation of unity "between students and their leaders."
The message denounces the limitations imposed by ETECSA's restrictions on the basic right of every human being to access information and the process of computerization of society.
Furthermore, most university students receive their grades and textbooks virtually, which makes it "incoherent" to limit their access to the internet in such an arbitrary manner.
With the statement, the Psychology students thus join the demands of other faculties that advocate for a solution.
Previously, the Faculty of Communication (FCOM) of the UH and the faculties of Chemistry, Philosophy and History, Mathematics and Computer Science, InSTEC, and the Higher Institute of International Relations (ISRI) had issued a joint statement expressing their concern over the dissatisfaction arising from the new tariff scheme that, in practice, has dollarized the primary mobile data services.
With an average salary of around 4,000 CUP, students and professionals are now forced to pay more than 3,000 CUP for just 3 additional GB of data—or turn to dollar plans with prices that are unreachable for those who do not receive remittances.
In their text, the students expressed their intention to continue working for internet access in Cuba to be recognized and guaranteed as a universal right, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford to pay for it in foreign currency or turn to the informal market.
Without acknowledging the students' need for internet access and claiming that there are national means to meet educational "needs," Etecsa's executive president, Tania Velázquez, stated that they were open to dialogue with students to "protect their connectivity, coordinating with institutions."
In the official space of the Mesa Redonda, the leadership defended the national platforms that, as they emphasized, are "free, do not consume data, and are useful for uploading/downloading materials at universities."
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