The conference was also attended by representatives of other countries, including the members of the Commonwealth of Independent States, and officials of the International Telecommunications Union.
Iran’s Information and Communications Technology Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi addressed the opening ceremony of the RCC conference and held talks with counterparts from other countries, including Armenia and Kazakhstan, on the sidelines of the conference, Iran’s ICT Ministry website reported.
The Iranian delegation discussed collaboration in information and communication technologies, according to Financial Tribune.
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, with the aim of preserving telecom collaborations, RCC was established in 1991 in Moscow by the communications administrations of 11 countries, namely Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine.
RCC’s main task is to coordinate the activities of related administrations in the field of communications.
Making Headways
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Jahromi highlighted the country's achievements in the ICT sector, especially in the past several years.
Presenting a brief overview, he said the number of broadband mobile subscribers in Iran exceeds 70 million, as all Iranian cities and 78% of villages have access to 4G Internet.
"There are around 5,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables in villages to expand ICT infrastructures," he said.
“The fiber-to-the-home is used by two million Iranians, although its rollout has faced some financial shortcomings.”
FTTH is the delivery of a communications signal over optical fiber from the operator's switching equipment all the way to a home or business, thereby replacing existing copper infrastructure such as telephone wires and coaxial cable.
“Preliminary studies are also on track to establish a 5G network in Iran,” he announced, calling on CIS experts to help Iran achieve the goal.
Russia’s Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media Konstantin Noskov applauded ICT developments in Iran and called for stronger ties with CIS countries in the field.
ICT Cooperation
On the sidelines of the conference, Jahromi met Kazakhstan’s Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Askar Zhumagaliyev and discussed ways of expanding ICT infrastructures in rural and urban areas and digitalization of businesses.
In an effort to expand ties with Kazakhstan, Jahromi called for holding joint exhibitions and conferences in the sphere of communication technologies. He also invited Kazakh ICT officials and tech teams to visit Iran's annual technological exhibitions like Elecomp.
"Expansion of ties will encourage collaborations between startups and tech firms of the two countries," he added.
Zhumagaliyev expressed willingness to strengthen technological relations with Iran and was ready to exchange know-how in communication and tech branches.
International Post
Jahromi also held talks with Bishar Abdirahman Hussein, the director general of Universal Postal Union, acknowledging the union's support for Iran in postal services and financial exchange.
Jahromi censured the US administration for its plan to pull out of UPU, saying that by abandoning international treaties and agreements, the US has undermined established global arrangements.
Hussein also appreciated Iran's continuous support for the union and reiterated the union’s support for boosting postal and mail services in the country.
He called for Iran's presence and support at UPU's upcoming extraordinary meeting.
Jahromi assured that a high-ranking Iranian delegation will participate in the upcoming meeting.
Later in the day, Jahromi met Armenian Minister of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies Hakob Arshakyan.
The joint establishment of technology parks and development of communication infrastructure were among the topics discussed at the meeting.