Editing Communications in Iran (section)

===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