According to a survey conducted by the Information Technology Organization and the Statistical Center of Iran, by the beginning of the current fiscal that ends in March, from 24 million households, 17.9 million or 72.8% had access to broadband Internet services.
The results published on ito.gov.ir indicate a 10.5% year-on-year increase in Internet penetration rate in Iran.
Furthermore, by March 2018, there was at least one computer (laptop/desktop) in 69.7% of Iranian households -- almost 17.2 million families. The figure has grown 8.4% compared to the March 2017-18 fiscal, according to Financial Tribune.
Data also shows the number of Iranian Internet users stood at 46.3 million, equal to 64% of the population. "Internet User" is defined as a person aged over six, who has used the net at least once in three months. The number of Internet users has grown by 10.7% compared to a year earlier when 53.2% of the population used the Internet.
Social Media Users
Some 53% of Iranian Internet users above 15 years of age actively employ messaging apps and social media networks. Each user reportedly spent an average of 64 minutes a day on social media platforms.
Telegram and Instagram topped the list of popular social media platformsn. While Telegram remains blocked for months, the messaging app is still popular with users.
Among social media users, Telegram was the most popular with 94.5% of people having Telegram installed on their smartphones. Some 43% of the users are active on Instagram.
The number of Iranian Internet users has grown significantly over the past few years. This is mainly due to the introduction of 3G and 4G services by major mobile operators, Mobile Telecommunications Company of Iran (MCI) and MTN-Irancell.