FEU Attempts to Soften the Blow with Report on Talks with ETECSA

The University Student Federation (FEU) has announced plans to release a "detailed report" on its discussions with the Cuban Telecommunications Company (ETECSA). This move appears to be an effort to appease student dissatisfaction following widespread backlash against recent internet rate hikes in the country. However, the organization’s statement so far seems to be nothing more than a series of empty phrases, lacking tangible measures or verifiable outcomes.

The official communication claims that the "work of the FEU of Cuba's Multidisciplinary Group in ETECSA is ongoing," highlighting supposed analyses and proposals made by subgroups focusing on operations, communication, and commercial areas. Topics discussed include broad issues like the "complexity of mobile network operations" and the "evaluation of intermediate plan concepts," without providing any real solutions or commitments from the state-run company.

This initiative is a part of a containment strategy devised by authorities following the backlash caused by the recent drastic increase in mobile data package prices. Recently, the Faculty of Mathematics and Computing (MATCOM) at the University of Havana called off a faculty strike that began on June 4, after receiving concrete commitments from the Ministry of Higher Education and ETECSA.

Subsequently, a "Multidisciplinary Group" was formed at the Havana Technological University (CUJAE), consisting of 30 students from various universities across the country. Their mission is to propose ideas and channel concerns to ETECSA. Official media, covering the event, portrayed the initiative as a demonstration of the students' "revolutionary commitment" and the purported willingness of the company to engage in dialogue.

Despite these claims, it has been clear from the outset that ETECSA has no intention of altering its pricing policy, citing its "economic model" to justify the high costs. In this context, the working group promoted by the FEU seems more like a distraction tactic than an effective tool for student representation. Meanwhile, the majority of university students continue to face significant challenges accessing the internet, in a nation where connectivity remains a luxury rather than a right.

The report promised by the FEU, which is to be discussed in university councils, arrives with a bitter sense of frustration: many words, few actions, and no solutions thus far.