Editing Communications in Iran (section)

==Internet==
{{see|Internet censorship in Iran}}
{{Pie chart
| caption= 2016 Iran Household Internet Access<ref name="digiato">{{cite web|url=http://digiato.com/article/2017/04/23/%DA%AF%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B4-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%B6%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%A8-%D9%86%D9%81%D9%88%D8%B0-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86/|title=چند درصد از کاربران ایرانی به اینترنت دسترسی دارند؟|access-date=2017-07-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729033305/http://digiato.com/article/2017/04/23/%DA%AF%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B4-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%B6%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%A8-%D9%86%D9%81%D9%88%D8%B0-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86/|archive-date=2017-07-29|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| label1 = Internet Access
| value1 = 61.3
| color1 = white
| label2 = No Internet Access
| value2 = 33.7
| color2 = red
| label3 = Undeclared
| value3 = 5
| color3 = green
}}
In 1993 Iran became the second country in the [[Middle East]] to be connected to the Internet, and since then the government has made significant efforts to improve the nation's ICT infrastructure.<ref name="EIU"/> Iran's national Internet connectivity infrastructure is based on two major networks: the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and the public data network. The [[PSTN]] provides a connection for end-users to Internet service providers (ISPs) over mostly digital lines and supports modem-based connections. The Data Communication Company of Iran (DCI), a subsidiary of TCI, operates the public data network. Iran's external Internet links use the basic Internet protocol of [[TCP/IP]] (transmission control protocol/Internet protocol) via satellite exclusively. For data lines, copper, fiber, satellite and microwave are the available media, and popular services are high-speed Internet via digital subscriber lines ([[DSL]]), high-bandwidth lease lines and satellite. About 33 Iranian cities are connected directly by the [[ERMC (cable system)|Trans-Asia-Europe cable]] network, or "silk road", connecting China to Europe.<ref name="EIU"/> According to the ''Statistical Center of Iran'', 13.5 million households (i.e. [[Demographics of Iran|55.5% of all Iranians]]) have access to the internet (2016). Of this number, 7 million households have access to fixed [[high-speed internet]] connection, and 10.7 million households have access to wireless high-speed internet.<ref name="techrasa.com">{{cite web| url=http://techrasa.com/2016/11/02/iran-internet-access-reaches-55-homes/| title=Iran Internet Access Reaches over 55% of Homes| date=2016-11-02| access-date=2016-11-06| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106123435/http://techrasa.com/2016/11/02/iran-internet-access-reaches-55-homes/| archive-date=2016-11-06| url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2016 64.8% of urban households and 36.1% of rural households had access to computers at their home.<ref name="techrasa.com"/> As of 2020, mobile broadband coverage had exceeded 91 percent in Iran.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

Since 2005 the Iranian government has been developing its "[[National Information Network]]" to tighten its control over content as well as increasing speed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/16/oct/1071.html|title=Ten Things You Should Know About Iran's Multi-Billion Dollar National Internet Project|website=www.payvand.com|access-date=2016-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018084801/http://www.payvand.com/news/16/oct/1071.html|archive-date=2016-10-18|url-status=live}}</ref> The project, which is separate from the [[World Wide Web]], will be completed by 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.payvand.com/news/10/oct/1189.html |title=Tehran's Unplugged Internet Plan |publisher=Payvand.com |access-date=2012-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104012851/http://www.payvand.com/news/10/oct/1189.html |archive-date=2011-11-04 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.tehrantimes.com/news/405788/Iran-s-national-internet-network-starts-today| title=Iran's national internet network starts today| date=2016-08-28| access-date=2016-08-28| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828054830/http://www.tehrantimes.com/news/405788/Iran-s-national-internet-network-starts-today| archive-date=2016-08-28| url-status=live}}</ref> This network will be separated from the rest of the internet, specifically for domestic use. Creating such a network, similar to [[Kwangmyong (network)|one used by North Korea]] would prevent unwanted information from outside of Iran getting into the closed system, such as with an [[intranet]] network. [[Myanmar]] and [[Cuba]] also use similar systems.<ref>Christopher Rhoads and Farnaz Fassihi, May 28, 2011, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704889404576277391449002016 Iran Vows to Unplug Internet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806114911/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704889404576277391449002016 |date=2017-08-06 }}, Wall Street Journal</ref> Iran has announced that all government ministries and state bodies will be available through the secure "national information network" (NIN).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-08/07/iran-offline |title=Iran's ministries to go offline: Phase one of move to intranet society (Wired UK) |access-date=2012-08-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120810224203/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-08/07/iran-offline |archive-date=2012-08-10 }}</ref>

The current internet services will not be replaced by the National Information Network or "Clean Internet" as it is called. In order to protect the privacy of Iranian internet users, a number of non-governmental organizations are currently developing domestic search engines that people can use through the NIN.<ref name="http">{{cite web |url=http://www.payvand.com/news/12/jan/1188.html |title=Iranians to remain connected to World Wide Web |publisher=Payvand.com |access-date=2012-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215122603/http://www.payvand.com/news/12/jan/1188.html |archive-date=2012-02-15 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Iranian officials have accused U.S.-based technology companies such as [[Google]], [[Twitter]] and [[Microsoft]] of working in tandem with U.S. authorities to spy on Iranian online trends, search behavior, [[social networking site]]s and [[e-mail]]. These companies have denied those allegations despite [[NSA leaks]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/iran-increasingly-controls-its-internet/2012/02/07/gIQAxTya1Q_story.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | first=Thomas | last=Erdbrink | title=Iran increasingly controls its Internet | date=2012-02-09 | access-date=2017-08-26 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201231541/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/iran-increasingly-controls-its-internet/2012/02/07/gIQAxTya1Q_story.html | archive-date=2018-02-01 | url-status=live }}</ref> As of 2013, 90% of all of [[Internet traffic]] is being [[router (computing)|routed]] to [[Webhosting|host]]s outside the country.<ref name=BYI/> Iran said it set a "world record" of 46% in online participation using NIN during the national [[census]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.mehrnews.com/news/120766/Iranians-break-world-record-in-online-census|title=Iranians break world record in online census|date=24 October 2016|access-date=25 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026162539/http://en.mehrnews.com/news/120766/Iranians-break-world-record-in-online-census|archive-date=26 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Much has been reported on the ways in which NIN aids the government with censorship and controls on the internet. Whilst to date, the existence of the NIN has not resulted in long-term disconnection from the global Internet, in the short-term it has been used by the authorities for this purpose.<ref name="article19.org">{{cite web|url=https://www.article19.org/resources/tightening-net-internet-controls-irans-protests/|title=Tightening the net: Internet controls during and after Iran's protests|website=ARTICLE 19|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014103144/https://www.article19.org/resources/tightening-net-internet-controls-irans-protests/|archive-date=2019-10-14|url-status=dead}}</ref> This was illustrated during the widespread deliberate disruptions to both mobile and networked Internet connections in the midst of nationwide protests in late 2017 and into early 2018. Research by the Campaign for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) identified that the authorities had ordered IXPs to intentionally interrupt international traffic while maintaining national connections hosted on the NIN.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iranhumanrights.org/2018/01/irans-severely-disrupted-internet-during-protests-websites-hardly-open/|title=Iran's Severely Disrupted Internet During Protests: "Websites Hardly Open"|date=2018-01-02|website=Center for Human Rights in Iran|access-date=2019-10-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014235654/https://www.iranhumanrights.org/2018/01/irans-severely-disrupted-internet-during-protests-websites-hardly-open/|archive-date=2019-10-14|url-status=live}}</ref>

Strengthening and driving local users towards local platforms is central to the NIN strategy. This has included efforts to undermine [[net neutrality]], by requiring domestic ISPs to zero-rate domestic platforms, in effect subsidising users’ use of local Internet platforms. These domestic platforms are subject to the close oversight, influence and enforcement powers of the authorities. Pushing users to use these services strengthens the government's surveillance and monitoring capabilities and raises concerns for the protection of the right to privacy.<ref name="article19.org"/> These platforms are required to apply Iranian law, including content-based restrictions on content outlined in the [[Judicial system of Iran|Islamic Penal Code]], the Press Laws and the Computer Crimes Law.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.article19.org/data/files/medialibrary/2921/12-01-30-FINAL-iran-WEB%5B4%5D.pdf|title=ARTICLE19 Legal Analysis of Iran's Computer Crimes Law|last=ARTICLE19|date=2012|website=ARTICLE19|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809220223/https://www.article19.org/data/files/medialibrary/2921/12-01-30-FINAL-iran-WEB%5B4%5D.pdf|archive-date=2019-08-09}}</ref> Over-reliance on domestic platforms is therefore likely to have a detrimental effect on the diversity and pluralism of content available on these platforms.

80 percent of modem imports are smuggled to Iran.<ref>{{cite web|author=اصفهان ارتباط |url=https://www.esfahanertebat.ir/1400/08/09/%DB%B8%DB%B0-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B5%D8%AF-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%85-%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B2-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D9%82%D8%A7%DA%86%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%85.html |title=۸۰ درصد مودم نیاز کشور به صورت قاچاق تامین می‌شود |publisher=Esfahanertebat.ir |date= |accessdate=2022-06-25}}</ref>

===Infrastructure===

{{See also|Iran Electronics Industries|Banking in Iran#Venture Capital}}
Iran has developed (or is in the process of developing) [[Science in Iran#Technology parks|IT/technology park]]s, infrastructures for local [[email server|email]]s, [[instant messaging]] (such as "TD Messenger" produced by Tehran Data), domestic [[search engine]]s (such as [[Yooz]], [[Parsijoo]] or "Gorgor.ir"), auction website (e.g. "Esam.ir"), [[e-commerce]] (e.g. [[Digikala]]), [[e-government]], [[Education in Iran#Internet and distance education|distance education]] (e.g. [[Payame Noor University]]), [[social media]]s (e.g. [[Cloob]] or [[Aparat]]), a domestic version of the [[Linux]] [[operating system]] called "[[Sharif University|Sharif Linux]]", bespoke or [[Open-source software|open source]] software for [[web browsing]], [[word processing]], [[spreadsheet]] and [[database]]; [[accounting]] and various business/financial and industrial software (e.g. [[Iran Software & Hardware Co. (NOSA)|NOSA]]), security software (e.g. Padvish Antivirus or APA at [[Shiraz University]]), and [[video game]]s.<ref name="http"/><ref name=BYI>{{Cite book
  | last1 = Ayse
  | first1 = Valentine
  | url = http://www.investiniran.ir/en/filepool/26?redirectpage=%2fen%2febook
  | last2 = Nash
  | first2 = Jason John
  | last3 = Leland
  | first3 = Rice
  | title = The Business Year 2013: Iran
  | place = London, U.K.
  | publisher = The Business Year
  | date = January 2013
  | page = 110
  | isbn = 978-1-908180-11-7
  | access-date = 2014-03-16
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161227193349/http://www.investiniran.ir/en/filepool/26?redirectpage=%2Fen%2Febook
  | archive-date = 2016-12-27
  | url-status = dead
  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.farsnews.ir/newstext.php?nn%3D9012152555 |title=Fars News Agency :: Iran Builds Technical Infrastructures for Local Emails |access-date=2012-03-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321225540/http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9012152555 |archive-date=2012-03-21 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/07/nov/1230.html|title=Persian instant messenger launched by Iranian company|website=www.payvand.com|access-date=2012-03-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516064104/http://www.payvand.com/news/07/nov/1230.html|archive-date=2013-05-16|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.iran-daily.com/1390/7/14/MainPaper/4070/Page/4/Index.htm | title=Irandaily &#124; No. 4070 &#124; Domestic Economy &#124; Page 4 | access-date=2011-10-05 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008130513/http://www.iran-daily.com/1390/7/14/MainPaper/4070/Page/4/Index.htm | archive-date=2011-10-08 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://opennet.net/research/profiles/iran|title=Iran – OpenNet Initiative|website=opennet.net|access-date=2009-10-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926051715/https://opennet.net/research/profiles/iran|archive-date=2018-09-26|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.trend.az/regions/iran/2021650.html|title=Iran starts making own anti-virus software|date=3 May 2012|access-date=4 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505232359/http://en.trend.az/regions/iran/2021650.html|archive-date=5 May 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Iran is also manufacturing key [[computer]], [[internet]] and [[IT]] components, including a local [[data center]], [[Parsé Semiconductor Co.|microprocessor]]s (design only), [[Printed circuit board|PCBs]], [[supercomputer]]s, [[router (computing)|routers]] (experimental basis), [[computer monitor]]s, [[Printer (computing)|printer]]s, [[mobile phone]]s, [[Telecommunication Company of Iran#TCI's main subsidiaries|fiber optic]]s and [[laser]]s.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-01/iran-to-start-first-phase-of-domestic-internet-by-may-fars-says.html | work=Bloomberg | first=Ladane | last=Nasseri | title=Iran to Start First Phase of Domestic Internet by May, Fars Says | date=2012-04-01 | access-date=2017-03-06 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615220611/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-01/iran-to-start-first-phase-of-domestic-internet-by-may-fars-says.html | archive-date=2013-06-15 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Httpwwwpayvandcomnewsfebhtml">{{cite web |url=http://www.payvand.com/news/11/feb/1248.html |title=Iran unveils indigenous supercomputers |publisher=Payvand.com |access-date=21 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628231901/http://www.payvand.com/news/11/feb/1248.html |archive-date=28 June 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.ut.ac.ir/routerlab |title=Router Lab, University of Tehran -- Home |access-date=2011-10-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928130426/http://web.ut.ac.ir/routerlab/ |archive-date=2011-09-28 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.austrade.gov.au/ICT-to-Iran/default.aspx |title= Information and communications technology (ICT) to Iran - for Australian exporters - Austrade|date=1 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130021742/http://www.austrade.gov.au/ICT-to-Iran/default.aspx |archive-date=30 January 2009 |url-status=dead |access-date=9 May 2009 }} [https://web.archive.org/web/20090201000000*/http://www.austrade.gov.au/ICT-to-Iran/default.aspx Alt URL]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iran-daily.com/1390/2/11/MainPaper/3955/Page/4/Index.htm#|title=Irandaily – No. 3955 – Domestic Economy – Page 4|website=www.iran-daily.com|access-date=2012-03-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511034310/http://www.iran-daily.com/1390/2/11/MainPaper/3955/Page/4/Index.htm|archive-date=2012-05-11|url-status=live}}</ref>

As of 2020 there were 7 [[Internet exchange point]]s built in some Iranian cities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.isna.ir/news/97053016288/%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%DB%8C%DA%A9-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%B2%DB%8C%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%A8%DB%8C%D9%86%D9%87|title = دستاوردهای یک‌ساله‌ جوان‌ترین وزیر کابینه|date = 21 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://financialtribune.com/articles/economy-sci-tech/58944/2-internet-exchange-points-in-khuzestan-isfahan|title=2 Internet Exchange Points in Khuzestan, Isfahan|date=5 February 2017}}</ref> 72 private data centers were connected to them.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mehrnews.com/news/3958802/%DB%B7%DB%B2-%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1-%D8%BA%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%B2-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%84-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%81%DB%8C%DA%A9-%D8%A7%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B5%D9%84-%D8%B4%D8%AF%D9%86%D8%AF|title=۷۲ دیتاسنتر غیردولتی به مراکز ملی تبادل ترافیک اطلاعات متصل شدند|date=22 April 2017}}</ref>

===Cyber-security===
{{see also|Iran Cyber Police|Cyberwarfare in Iran|Defense industry of Iran}}
Iran is among 5 countries with [[cyber warfare]] capabilities according to the Defense Tech institute (US military and security institute).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defensetech.org/archives/004432.html |title=Defense Tech: Iranian Cyber Warfare Threat Assessment |access-date=2009-05-09 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090506053256/http://www.defensetech.org/archives/004432.html |archive-date=2009-05-06 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/15/apr/1054.html|title=Opinion: Iran Advances Beyond 'Third Tier' Cyber Power|website=www.payvand.com|access-date=2015-04-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413035014/http://www.payvand.com/news/15/apr/1054.html|archive-date=2015-04-13|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/16/world/middleeast/iran-is-raising-sophistication-and-frequency-of-cyberattacks-study-says.html?_r=0|title=Iran Is Raising Sophistication and Frequency of Cyberattacks, Study Says|newspaper=The New York Times|date=2015-04-15|last1=Sanger|first1=David E.|last2=Perlroth|first2=Nicole|access-date=2017-03-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725105956/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/16/world/middleeast/iran-is-raising-sophistication-and-frequency-of-cyberattacks-study-says.html?_r=0|archive-date=2016-07-25|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Internet service provider|ISPs===
The leading Data Communication Company of Iran (DCI) which belongs to TCI (now privatized) and the [[Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology]] (IROST) are two bodies that act as ISPs. As of 2008, the largest privately owned ISP was Parsnet, which serves only [[Tehran]].<ref name="EIU"/> The leading ISP with a provincial focus is Isfahan-based Irangate.net.<ref name="EIU"/> The [https://web.archive.org/web/20080727015312/http://www.austrade.gov.au/ICT-to-Iran/default.aspx Neda Rayaneh Institute] was the first private ISP in Iran.<ref name="EIU"/>

Domain names with the ".ir" suffix are assigned by the Institute for Studies in Theoretical Physics and Mathematics (IPM). DCI maintains the network infrastructure, providing Internet access via the IRANPAK X.25 packet-switching network, which covers most major cities. DCI is the only ISP with a permit for supplying government agencies. DCI supplies both [[dial-up]] and [[leased lines]] to its users.<ref name="EIU"/>

By the regulations of Iran, these ISPs should rely on TCI for their bandwidth. Previously serviced by TCI's Public Switch Telephone Network, the ISPs have been provided with modern data line capacity through a national IP-based network. With the completion of this new network, Internet services in Iran is expected to improve dramatically.<ref name="Australian trade">{{cite web |last= |first= |date=2008-06-04 |title=Information and communications technology (ICT) to Iran |url=http://www.austrade.gov.au/ICT-to-Iran/default.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080727015312/http://www.austrade.gov.au/ICT-to-Iran/default.aspx |archive-date=2008-07-27 |access-date=2009-05-09 |website=Australian Trade Commission}}</ref>

====Speed and costs====
Iranian internet has an average speed of 2&nbsp;Mbit/s, about one-tenth of the global average (2014). [[Hong Kong]], the world leader, boasts an average of 72&nbsp;Mbit/s; the United States ranks 31st, at about 21&nbsp;Mbit/s.<ref name="washingtonpost.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/internet-improvements-in-store-for-iran/2014/02/13/b3d730fe-8ea4-11e3-878e-d76656564a01_story.html|title=Iran has the most Internet users in the Middle East. But its speeds are among the slowest in the world.|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=2017-08-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121005838/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/internet-improvements-in-store-for-iran/2014/02/13/b3d730fe-8ea4-11e3-878e-d76656564a01_story.html|archive-date=2017-11-21|url-status=live}}</ref> A 2&nbsp;Mbit/s subscription costs $5 a month, daily traffic is charged at 60¢/GB but traffic is free at night at up to 5&nbsp;GB per night. Upload speeds are typically 40% of the download speed.{{citation needed|date=August 2014}}People must pay four times price for download and upload using internet than national internet network.<ref>{{cite web |title=تفاوت نرخ استفاده از اینترنت داخلی و خارجی چگونه است؟ |url=https://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/5706029/%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%AA-%D9%86%D8%B1%D8%AE-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AE%D9%84%DB%8C-%D9%88-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AC%DB%8C-%DA%86%DA%AF%D9%88%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA |website=yjc}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=تفکیک بسته‌های اینترنتی در ایران؛‌ رفتن به سایت‌های خارجی گرانتر تمام می‌شود |url=https://www.bbc.com/persian/amp/science-51460227 |website=bbc|date=11 February 2020 }}</ref>

According speedtest.net in 2019, the average landline Internet speed in Iran is 12.84&nbsp;Mbit/s and the country is ranked 104 among 130 audited countries. The global average speed of landline Internet services is 49.26&nbsp;Mbit/s. Mobile Internet services is significantly better in Iran compared to landline services, with an average speed of  27.71&nbsp;Mbit/s — 4&nbsp;Mbit/s higher than the global average. Iran is ranked 51.<ref name="en.eghtesadonline.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.en.eghtesadonline.com/Section-technology-13/27293-iran-isps-ranked-based-on-customer-review|title=Iran ISPs Ranked Based on Customer Review|access-date=2020-11-19|archive-date=2020-11-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125171918/https://www.en.eghtesadonline.com/Section-technology-13/27293-iran-isps-ranked-based-on-customer-review|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Broadband Internet access====
[[File:Iran internet users per 100 person.png|thumb|350px|Number of Internet users in Iran per 100 people, from 2000 to 2011. Data: World Bank]]
As of 2012, 11 private access providers (PAPs) and TCI compete for market share, offering [[ADSL2+]], [[WiMAX]], and other fixed [[wireless broadband]] services.<ref>{{Cite book
  | last1 = Ayse
  | first1 = Valentine
  | url = http://www.investiniran.ir/en/filepool/26?redirectpage=%2fen%2febook
  | last2 = Nash
  | first2 = Jason John
  | last3 = Leland
  | first3 = Rice
  | title = The Business Year 2013: Iran
  | place = London, U.K.
  | publisher = The Business Year
  | date = January 2013
  | page = 188
  | isbn = 978-1-908180-11-7
  | access-date = 2014-03-16
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161227193349/http://www.investiniran.ir/en/filepool/26?redirectpage=%2Fen%2Febook
  | archive-date = 2016-12-27
  | url-status = dead
  }}</ref> Meanwhile, fixed [[broadband internet]] connections quadrupled between 2011 and 2015 to 8.3m lines.<ref name="ft.com"/> Iran's IP-based 'national data network' is being developed by Information Technology Company (ITC), which is also a TCI subsidiary. This network covers 210 Iranian cities and has 60,000 high-speed ports to meet the needs of its end users such as business and ISPs (2009).<ref name="Australian trade"/> Some actions are being taken to build and optimize infrastructure for provision of broadband services in the next five years and the Regulatory has decided to grant the license of offering [[WiMAX]] services to some private companies based on auction and then the license for the [[#Mobile phone|3rd mobile operator]].

Companies that are under the PAP license:<ref>{{cite web |title=Information and communications technology (ICT) to Iran |url=http://www.austrade.gov.au/ICT-to-Iran/default.aspx |website=austrade|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080727015312/http://www.austrade.gov.au/ICT-to-Iran/default.aspx |archive-date=2008-07-27 }}</ref>
* [[Shatel]]
* Afranet
* Asiatech
* [[Pars Online]]
* Pishgaman Kavir
* Fan Ava
* Asre Novin
* Datak Telecom
* Asre Telecom
* Kara Amin Ertebat
* Laser
* Neda Gostar Saba (SabaNet)
* Irsa Communications Network

Landline ISP ranking in customer satisfaction (score out of 20, 2018 survey):<ref name="en.eghtesadonline.com"/>
Shatel:17.55 	
AsiaTech:15.67 	
Datak:15.53 	
HiWeb:15.17 	
Pars Online:14.64 	
Saba Net:14.31 	
Pishgaman:13.3 	
HelmaGostar:12.94 	
TCI:10.91

===Statistics===
*In 2015, [[Digital economy|Internet-based economy]] was 0.8% of GDP in Iran while it is 13% in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://saravapars.com/en/about/|title=About – Sarava|website=saravapars.com|access-date=2015-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925042604/http://saravapars.com/en/about/|archive-date=2015-09-25|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 12 certified for high-speed connections<ref name="opennet.net">{{cite web |url=http://opennet.net/research/profiles/iran |title=Iran &#124; OpenNet Initiative |publisher=Opennet.net |access-date=2012-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926051715/https://opennet.net/research/profiles/iran |archive-date=2018-09-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref> – Iran had 1,223 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in 2009, all [[private sector]] operated.<ref name="Australian trade"/>
*[[Country code]] (Top-level domain): IR
*Internet users (including internet cafe users): 23 million (2007);<ref name="ReferenceC"/> 43 million (2012).<ref name="payvand.com1"/> Internet penetration is 53% across the population and 77% in [[Tehran]], according to government data. About 11 million Iranians have mobile Internet access (2014).<ref name="wsj.com">{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-iran-business-deals-rarely-smooth-1436917050|title=In Iran, Business Deals Rarely Smooth|first=Benoît|last=Faucon|date=15 July 2015|via=www.wsj.com|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=6 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203044747/https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-iran-business-deals-rarely-smooth-1436917050|archive-date=3 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Iran's National Internet Development Centre says internet penetration stood at 73% in 2015, making Iran one of the biggest internet users in the [[Middle East]].<ref name=BBC/>
*250,000 users have access to [[high-speed Internet]] service in Iran (October 2006)<ref name="opennet.net"/> While having the most internet users in the Middle East, in terms of [[broadband]] users Iran is only 14th in Middle East (2012).<ref name="payvand.com1"/> In 2013, some 867,000 people are using high-speed internet, and about 6 million people are using internet via [[fiber-optic communications|optical fiber network]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.azernews.az/region/56444.html|title=Iran creates national e-mail service|date=8 July 2013|access-date=5 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816063655/http://www.azernews.az/region/56444.html|archive-date=16 August 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*The number of [[GPRS]] users amounts to 27.5 million, accounting for 36 percent of total internet users in Iran. 
*Iran ranks 32nd in the world in terms of the number [[websites]]. Until 2009, 200,000 sites have been launched in Iran. 118,000 sites are using the domain ".ir".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.payvand.com/news/09/may/1252.html |title=Iran ranks 32nd in world in terms of number of websites |publisher=Payvand.com |access-date=2012-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603150214/http://www.payvand.com/news/09/may/1252.html |archive-date=2012-06-03 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* As of 2016, most visited [[search engine]]s in Iran are [[Google]] (1st), [[Parsijoo]] (2nd), [[Bing (search engine)|Bing]] (3rd), [[Yooz]] (4th).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://financialtribune.com/articles/economy-sci-tech/20623/parsijoo-be-launched-september|title=Parsijoo to Be Launched in September|date=6 July 2015|access-date=6 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707032712/http://financialtribune.com/articles/economy-sci-tech/20623/parsijoo-be-launched-september|archive-date=7 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="payvand.com2">{{cite web|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/16/nov/1006.html|title='Parsijoo' most used search engine in Iran after Google|website=www.payvand.com|access-date=2016-11-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105085703/http://www.payvand.com/news/16/nov/1006.html|archive-date=2016-11-05|url-status=live}}</ref>
*As of 2019, top three visited websites in Iran are Google (1st), Instagram.com (2nd), digikala (3rd)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.similarweb.com/top-websites/iran--islamic-republic-of|title=Top Websites in Iran, Islamic Republic Of – SimilarWeb Website Ranking|website=www.similarweb.com|language=en|access-date=2019-08-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826073913/https://www.similarweb.com/top-websites/iran--islamic-republic-of|archive-date=2019-08-26|url-status=live}}</ref> Alternate 2019-rankings are: 1. Google, 2. Aparat (YouTube equivalent), 3. [[Digikala]] (e-commerce like Amazon), 4. Namnak (news), 5. Varzesh3 (sports), 6. Instagram, 7. Wikipedia, 8. [[Shaparak (company)|Shaparak]] (e-payment services), 9.[[Telewebion]] (webcast service for [[IRIB]]), 10. [[Divar]] (consumer-to-consumer sales).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.en.eghtesadonline.com/Section-economy-4/28586-top-most-visited-websites-in-iran|title=Top 10 Most Visited Websites in Iran|access-date=2020-11-19|archive-date=2020-11-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160823/https://www.en.eghtesadonline.com/Section-economy-4/28586-top-most-visited-websites-in-iran|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Some 1,218 of Iranian cities have access to Internet and 1,460 telecommunication centers are operational there (2008)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://iran-daily.com/1386/3060/html/economy.htm |title= Iran Daily - Domestic Economy - 02/10/08|website=iran-daily.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090730044012/http://iran-daily.com/1386/3060/html/economy.htm |archive-date=July 30, 2009}}</ref>
*Iran's [[optical fiber]] network extends over 120,000 kilometers and has optical fiber connections with all neighboring states (2008).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iran-daily.com/1387/3286/html/economy.htm |title= Iran Daily - Domestic Economy - 12/03/08|website=www.iran-daily.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207083218/http://www.iran-daily.com/1387/3286/html/economy.htm |archive-date=December 7, 2008}}</ref> As of 2008, more than 36000 kilometers optical fiber in the backbone network and 45000 kilometers in cities have been installed.<ref name="researchandmarkets.com"/>
*There are an estimated 1,500 [[Internet cafe]]s operating in the capital, [[Tehran]] (2008). Prepaid Internet-access cards are widely available throughout the country.<ref name="EIU"/>
*As of 2008, more than 100 companies sell International [[VoIP]] cards and the government has announced to issue 4–5 VoIP licenses through holding bids for national use.<ref name="researchandmarkets.com"/>
*As of 2020, nearly 30,000 villages had connections to the mobile telephone network.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

===Usage===
{{See also|Education in Iran#Internet and distance education|Blogging in Iran|Internet censorship in Iran|l1=Distance education in Iran}}
Full [[Internet]] service is available in all major cities and it is very rapidly increasing. Many small towns and even some villages now have full Internet access. The government aims to provide 10% of government and commercial services via the Internet by end-2008 and to equip every school with computers and Internet connections by the same date.<ref name="EIU"/> The Internet has become an expanding means to accessing information and self-expression among the younger population. Iran is also the world's fourth largest country of [[Iranian blogs|bloggers]] with approx. 60,000 [[Persian language|Persian]] blogs<ref name="opennet.net"/><ref>[[Iranian blogs]]</ref> although [[Internet censorship in Iran]] is amongst the most restrictive and sophisticated in the world.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7589 |title=Iranian net censorship powered by US technology – info-tech – 27 June 2005 |magazine=New Scientist |access-date=2012-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315222128/http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7589 |archive-date=15 March 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> As of 2014, 67.4 percent of Iranian young people (between the ages of 15 and 29) use the internet.<ref name="tehrantimes.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.tehrantimes.com/politics/118310-674-of-iranian-youths-use-internet-survey |title=67.4% of Iranian youths use internet: Survey - Tehran Times |access-date=2015-11-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114203445/http://www.tehrantimes.com/politics/118310-674-of-iranian-youths-use-internet-survey |archive-date=2015-01-14 }}</ref> 69.3% of Iranian young people reported using anti-internet [[filtering software]] to be able to surf through blocked websites.<ref name="tehrantimes.com"/> Three-fifths of Iranians use [[Facebook]].<ref name="payvand.com3">{{cite web|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/15/jun/1035.html|title=Report says Iranians spend nine hours a day on social media|website=www.payvand.com|access-date=2015-06-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612023732/http://www.payvand.com/news/15/jun/1035.html|archive-date=2015-06-12|url-status=live}}</ref> Iranians spend an average of nine hours on [[social media]] websites every day.<ref name="payvand.com3"/> according of the [[government of Iran]], the first stage of smart filtering for the internet has been successful and the second stage has been launched in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/15/jul/1166.html|title=Iran's "Smart filter" for internet now in second stage|website=www.payvand.com|access-date=2015-07-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823203211/http://www.payvand.com/news/15/jul/1166.html|archive-date=2015-08-23|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2016, 40 percent of content used by Iranian Internet citizens are produced in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/16/nov/1017.html|title=Iran 'smart filters' 95 million explicit contents on Instagram|website=www.payvand.com|access-date=2016-11-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104160436/http://www.payvand.com/news/16/nov/1017.html|archive-date=2016-11-04|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Electronic commerce====
{{See also|Shetab Banking System|Central Bank of Iran#Payment systems|Industry of Iran#Retail industry|Intellectual property in Iran#E-commerce|Tehran Stock Exchange#Electronic trading and market data|l2=Payment systems in Iran|l3=Retail industry in Iran|l4=E-commerce and intellectual property in Iran|l5=E-trading in the Tehran Stock Exchange}}

Iran's electronic commerce was 10,000 billion rials ($1 billion) in March 2009 and growing 60% annually.<ref>[http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0812030911192309.htm IRNA: Iran's e-commerce to reach rls10,000b] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815143518/http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0812030911192309.htm |date=2009-08-15 }} Retrieved December 3, 2008</ref> Online-sales reached $300,000 per day in 2014 with more than 20,000 active [[online stores]] with electronics being the most popular sale product.<ref name="washingtonpost.com"/> In 2007, Tetra-Tech IT Company announced that using [[Visa Inc.|Visa]] and [[Mastercard]] is now possible for online sales and in Iranian e-card terminals at shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies for Iranians and foreign tourists.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://payvand.com/news/07/feb/1159.html |title=VISA and MasterCard usage possible in Iran |publisher=Payvand.com |access-date=2012-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314031627/http://payvand.com/news/07/feb/1159.html |archive-date=2018-03-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Saman Bank]] was the first bank to introduce [[Shetab Banking System|online banking services in Iran]]. Since, it has been at the forefront of expansion and enhancement of electronic banking. In 2010, a state-linked technology group (the Rouyesh Technical Centre) established the country's first online supermarket.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/feb/04/iran-launches-online-supermarket-internet | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Iran launches first online supermarket | first=Robert | last=Tait | date=2010-02-04 | access-date=2010-04-30 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909125216/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/feb/04/iran-launches-online-supermarket-internet | archive-date=2013-09-09 | url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2015, the dollar value of [[e-commerce]] reached $17.4 billion. With the new ''national information network'', Internet speed has increased drastically. Iran's penetration rate of the internet stands at 82.12% (2016), with 19 million people using the internet on their mobile phones. As of 2016, 600 cities in Iran had access to [[3G]] networks and 200 cities had access to [[4G]] Internet. The rate of mobile phone penetration in Iran stands at 94.46%.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

Iran is presently implementing a [[barcode]] system across the country in order to facilitate e-commerce and [[taxation in Iran|tax collection]]. The executive state organizations, which are the largest buyers of goods in the country, cannot buy and use goods that do not have the "[[Irancode]]".<ref>http://www.nitc.co.ir/iran-daily/1388/3438/html/economy.htm#s389754 {{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In 2004 the [[Majlis of Iran|Majlis]] adopted the Electronic Commerce Law:<ref>{{cite web |title=Electronic Commerce Law of the Islamic Republic of Iran |url=http://www.irtp.com/data.asp?address=laws%2Fec%2FIR%20Iran%20E-Commerce%20Law.pdf |website=irtp|url-status=usurped |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070819171459/http://www.irtp.com/data.asp?address=laws%2Fec%2FIR%20Iran%20E-Commerce%20Law.pdf|archive-date = 2007-08-19}}</ref>
*Articles 62–66 of this law specify that [[Intellectual property in Iran|Iran's existing intellectual-property laws]] apply to all electronic transactions.
*Articles 33–49 of the Electronic Commerce Law of 2004 seek to ensure consumer protection in electronic transactions. This legislation ensures the right of consumers to complete disclosure of information by suppliers before, during and after electronic transactions. Also specified are the terms under which contracts for electronic commerce may be broken.
*Article 37 gives consumers seven days to withdraw from any contract without penalty.
*Article 42 stipulates that the protections laid down in this law do not apply to financial services, immovable property, automatic vending machines, transactions over public payphones and auctions.

The [[economy of Iran|Fifth Five-Year Development Plan (2010–15)]] has set the target of conducting electronically:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iran-daily.com/1390/7/14/MainPaper/4070/Page/4/Index.htm |title=No. 4070 &#124; Domestic Economy &#124; Page 4 |publisher=Irandaily |access-date=2012-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115131033/http://www.iran-daily.com/1390/7/14/MainPaper/4070/Page/4/Index.htm |archive-date=2012-01-15 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 80 percent of governmental transactions,
* 20 percent of domestic trade
* 30 percent of foreign trade.