"It is a political measure to silence Mozambicans," activist Quitéria Guirengane, a representative of the group that met in recent days with the National Institute of Communications of Mozambique (INCM), the regulatory body, accused in statements to Lusa, moving to the streets today due to the lack of responses. "We want to demand the total revocation of the resolution that approves these rates, which are completely insensitive, immoral, anti-competitive, inhumane, unsustainable and disproportionate, because they seriously violate our fundamental rights, both the right to access information, the right to education, to work, to identity, enshrined in the Constitution," she added during today's march. At issue is the publication by INCM, on 19 February, of a resolution establishing new minimum rates in the telecommunications sector, for voice, messages and data, whose adaptation by the three operators, since 4 May, led to a real increase in rates and the end of unlimited packages. The promoters of today's march guarantee, however, that "it is not a measure proposed by the operators" and that it results from the intervention of the regulator alone. "INCM, while saying that it is not responsible for the measure, gives every indication that it is the one that is insisting," accused Quitéria Guirengane. "We want the heads of the higher authorities that prevent the will of the citizens from being materialised," said the spokesperson for the march, recalling that the consequences of the rate increases, especially the end of unlimited data packages, are felt in all areas. As in agriculture, where seeds are "imported, bought on the Internet", or to deal with an identity card and a passport, in study or in job creation. "It is for these that we fight," assumed Quitéria Guirengane. From today's march came the appeal for a "general operation to cancel and block" the pages of the operators on the social networks of the telecommunications operators, followed by a "legal action against INCM". "It is a decision lacking in justification. We have already realised that there is no study. Secondly, it kills the idea of fair competition, thirdly, the regulation itself requires that there be a public hearing and there was none," she explained. Xavier Nhanala, 28, is a teacher and joined today's march because the cost of telecommunications has become unsustainable. "We don't even have books, the Internet is the only vehicle for seeking information and knowledge," he explained, assuming that of the 1,000 meticais (14.3 euros) he spent per month to have internet and make calls, he now spends four times more. "After two or three, the Internet ends. And note that nothing has changed in my way of working," he reported, saying he does not understand the decisions: "Unless there is a political agenda to limit information to Mozambican citizens." Zaquia Tuacal, a 32-year-old cultural mediator, also says that the measure "is a means of limiting young people", the "future generation, who want change". "Before I spent 500 meticais [7.2 euros] per month, today I can say that so far, since the price increase, I have already spent 800 meticais [11.5 euros], in a week and a bit (...) Before I would transform 1 GB with 15 meticais [21 cents of euro], today it costs 70 meticais (one euro), which is the price of a kilo of sugar, a kilo of rice. It's absurd," she says, holding a placard. With the Mozambican flag on his back, Francisco Tembi, 39, a producer of a television programme, describes the new rates as an "aberration", especially because of the limited access to the Internet that now exists, which "is not a whim", but "a great need" and a "guarantee of the livelihood of many families". "In 24 hours I used to spend five meticais [seven cents], now I have to spend 50 meticais [72 cents], to do the same. It is unbearable. The president of INCM said earlier that he had instructed the telecommunications operators to withdraw the unlimited data and voice packages to avoid the "collapse of the market" and "unfair competition", also aiming to allow greater market opening to attract investment in the sector. "They were harming the economy. The 30-day packages continue, but the consumer cannot speak unlimitedly to the point of it costing him zero," clarified Tuaha Mote. Read Also: Nyusi sends condolences to Putin and guarantees support after death of ambassador (Portuguese version)