Big Leap Expected in Iran Internet Access

EghtesadOnline: Internet bandwidth in Iran is set to increase from four to 100 terabytes per second in the next five years, said the deputy minister of communications and information, Barat Qanbari, at a recent meeting with technology officials.

News ID: ۷۳۸۷۹۵

22 December 2016

In addition to this expansion, in the long term, bandwidth for Iran’s National Information Network (NIN) is expected to reach 1,000 terabytes per second, CITNA.com reported.

The National Information Network was launched in August as an alternative independent network with content that is compatible with Islamic values. However, contrary to what was wrongly reported in foreign media, it will not replace the regular World Wide Web.

Qanbari explained that increasing content production, upgrading and indigenizing technological know-how in advanced technologies are also part of his ministry’s plans for investment.

The Rouhani administration, under the auspices of the sixth economic development plan, intends to provide 80% of Iranian households with internet access in the next few years.

The plan calls for 600 trillion rials ($19.9 billion) investment in the ICT sector. The private sector is expected to provide two-thirds of the amount and a play a bigger role in expanding and improving the key sector.

Qanbari put the total value of the information technology market in Iran at 340 trillion rials ($8.8 billion). Telecommunications accounts for nearly 70% of the amount while the share of information technology is less than 25%, Financial Tribune reported.

“In line with global standards and given the potentials available in Iran, the ICT market share can increase three-fold,” the official added.

He added that ICT has a 2.7% share in Iran’s gross domestic product. The sixth five-year economic development plan stipulates that the ICT share in GDP will reach 4%.