Students at Stellenbosch University (SU) are being charged for internet access on campus while other students on the majority of campuses across South Africa are not.
SU students do not only pay for every megabyte they use outside of university websites, YouTube and Google apps, but they also have to pay an annual, once-off ‘network registration’ fee of R410 in order to have any access to university-provided internet.
The calculation of cost per megabyte per individual is done through a programme called Inetkey, which students must log in to in order to access their personal connection to the university’s internet.
“I use the internet every day, whether it be for research or social media. For me personally it works out at around R90 of Inetkey quota a month on top of the once-off R410 device registration fee,” says fourth-year LLB student Olivia Bernstein.
Students of Stellenbosch University have to log in to the Inetkey app with their details in order to gain internet access. Inetkey calculates each individual’s internet use and charges the students accordingly. PHOTO: Wianda Gilliland.
According to Martin Viljoen, SU spokesperson, the costs paid by students include not only internet access, but also covers services like firewalls and staff.
“In order to change this model, funds will have to come from somewhere else. Some universities provide ‘free’ internet access but the necessary funds are actually included in the administrative costs that every student pays.”
Viljoen also explained that the current financial model for providing internet services is done at a zero budget. “So there must be a usage charge to cover the costs incurred to provide the service.”
According to Gasant Abarder, spokesperson of the University of the Western Cape (UWC), all students and staff have free internet access on campus.
“Connectivity is crucial to support teaching, learning and research on campus. More importantly, connectivity and access to the internet, especially to our students, begin to address the exorbitant costs of data which makes connectivity prohibitive for students,” Abarder explained.
Abarder also said that another reason for UWC to provide free internet access to its students is that UWC prides itself as being an institution that has historically enabled access to tertiary education for applicants from diverse backgrounds.
“We are committed to offering only the best facilities to create an environment in which our students can thrive. Access to the internet is a key component of that environment.”
Whether SU students are doing academic research or just browsing social media, they are required to load internet quota from their student accounts. PHOTO: Wianda Gilliland
Luyanda Ndaba from the strategic communications office of the University of Johannesburg reiterates the same ideas regarding free internet access.
“It is necessary for students to have access to free internet in order to access study materials, learning aids and resources online,” she said.
North West University also provides free uncapped WIFI at a 10 Gbps fiber speed to its registered students, according to the spokesperson, Louis Jacobs.
“Nowadays, this is a basic requirement for study. Learning platforms, eBooks, etc. are only available online. We have a responsibility to empower our students,” said Jacobs.
Students of the University of Pretoria have access to free WIFI both on and off campus in the various university residences, according to spokesperson Thamie Mthembu.
The same goes for the University of Cape Town (UCT), which also provides free internet access to its students.
UCT, UWC, NWU and UJ all provide a 10 Gbps fiber uncapped connection to their staff and students. SU provides the exact same service but charges students individually for the number of bytes they use.
Students of Stellenbosch University might have free internet access in the future, but there are no changes currently being implemented.
“Free internet access is a regular discussion point and various models are continuously being investigated,” Viljoen said.