Students, Creators Reject Iran’s “Internet Pro” Plan

Following the introduction of a proposal known as “Internet Pro” in Iran, a group of students from the Tehran University of Medical Sciences and the company “Andropay,” an entity active in supporting digital content creators, have issued two separate statements expressing their firm opposition to the plan.

In their statement, the students emphasized that free, stable, and equal access to the internet is an inseparable part of the right to education, research, and scientific communication. They argued that providing “special internet” to a limited group while the vast majority of society faces severe restrictions constitutes “unequal access” and represents a new form of social discrimination. The students declared that they will refuse to purchase or use this plan until fair internet access is provided for all citizens.

In a separate statement, Andropay announced that despite the possibility of its affiliated YouTubers gaining access to this special internet, the company has decided not to activate the service for the time being. The company cited the prevention of a “gap between content creators and their audience” as the reason for this decision. They warned that allowing a select few to benefit from higher-quality internet while ordinary users continue to face disruptions could weaken the entire content creation ecosystem.

These positions are being publicized as the debate over “tiered internet” (Internet Tabaghati) has become one of the most controversial topics in Iran’s public sphere in recent days.