Iran’s Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies has launched projects to develop the poor communication infrastructure of the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan.
During a trip to the province on Wednesday, ICT Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi launched a joint project with two major mobile operators to establish 645 communication sites to strengthen mobile network and internet connectivity, the ministry’s website Ict.gov.ir reported.
“Mobile Telecommunications Company of Iran is tasked with opening 502 sites with 7.53 trillion rials [$29.18 million] and Irancell, the second major mobile operator, will set up 143 sites with 2.41 trillion rials [$9.34 million],” he said.
TCI is set to implement two other projects worth 1.7 trillion rials [$6.58 million] and develop home-based telephony services by extending fiber optic network with 300 billion rials [$1.16 million].
To prepare the ground for setting up new communication sites, the ICT minister signed an agreement with Saeed Mohammad, IRGC commander and the head of Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters (KAA).
Khatam al-Anbiya is an Iranian engineering arm of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps.
IRGC-KAA will extend the provincial fiber optic network by 532 kilometers at a cost of 1.43 trillion rials ($5.54 million).
Another 600 kilometers of fiber optic extension are planned to help stabilize cellular and internet connections.
The project also includes extension of network coverage to 870 kilometers of the province’s main thoroughfares.
According to Jahromi, the fiber optic extension is designed along 32 rings, making the province’s communication network more sustainable.
Iran Post Company has also joined the ministry to boost its operations throughout the province. It is planning to open four new offices in the province and extend its services through 225 operating units.
Post Bank of Iran is also determined to establish 102 offices in the province by July.
All the projects financed by the ICT Ministry are estimated to become operational by mid-May.
Achievements
In a meeting with provincial authorities, Jahromi said the outbreak of the novel coronavirus has underscored the importance of communication and internet access nationwide.
He noted that strengthening ICT services both in urban and rural areas has been high on the ministry’s agenda in the past seven years.
“Internet connection and mobile network have been established in 35,000 villages out of about 40,000 with over 20 households. Access will be provided to the remaining 5,000 villages by the end of the current year [March 20],” he added.
In early December 2020, Amir Nazemi, a deputy ICT minister, said broadband internet penetration rate has reached 94% while the services were only available in 22% of the country eight years ago.
According to the official, 81% of Iranians use the internet at least once a week.
The figures show an outstanding progress in Iran’s ICT development since Hassan Rouhani began his first presidential term in 2013. This has been achieved through the ICT Ministry’s efforts for expanding and upgrading communication infrastructures throughout the country, especially in less developed areas.
“In recent years, the International Telecommunications Union has ranked Iran among countries with high ICT development,” Nazemi said, adding that the achievement should be an incentive for officials to make their best efforts for strengthening this status.
He added that broadband internet is increasingly intertwined with the daily functions of modern life, as it is supporting economic development initiatives, transforming agriculture, improving healthcare and upgrading transportation.
The Iranian government’s extensive investment in the development of ICT infrastructure in rural areas over the past few years has boosted their quality of life.
ICT Development Plans
ICT officials say communication and internet infrastructures will be further developed in rural areas by the end of the current fiscal year (March 20, 2021).
In South Khorasan Province, work is underway to connect 21 villages in Boshrouyeh County in the coming months.
Mostafa Behi, the head of the provincial ICT organization, told reporters that four ICT stations have been set up in Boshrouyeh to provide high-speed broadband internet access to rural areas.
“The stations will become operational, as soon as they are equipped with the necessary gear,” he said.
Ladan Mahdavi, the head of ICT Organization in Markazi Province, said officials of the province have announced that since 2013, the number of villages with internet connection has tripled and reached 1,082, accounting for 93% of all villages in the province.
As planned, she added, more spots are on the connection list this year.
According to the Communications Regulatory Authority, the installation of 1,250 ATMs has facilitated micro banking services in rural areas.
These teller machines are expected to increase to 2,250 by the end of the current fiscal year.
These efforts are in line with the Universal Service Obligation Plan, proposed by the ICT Ministry, for providing broadband internet access to rural areas.
Officials believe that increasing the access of users, corporations and organizations to the internet can increase economic productivity and promote social welfare. Internet access boosts traditional business activities via new strategies.
Rural craftsmen and farmers in Iran are now able to conduct their businesses through online platforms, directly interact with customers and exclude the role of middlemen.
The promotion of ICT in rural areas also helps build novel businesses and boost the local economy.
