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Iran - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Mobile infrastructure is improving in Iran

There are two major mobile operators in Iran and mobile penetration is considered to be high with a rate of 119%. Most citizens access 2G and 3G networks and in November 2014, the first 4G LTE network was launched by MTN Irancell. While 4G LTE services are available, primarily in the urban areas – around one third of mobile subscribers don’t own a smart phone. Initial testing of 5G began in Iran in 2017.

Prior to the US government reimposing economic sanctions again during 2018; the two major operators, MCI and MTN Irancell made great strides in upgrading infrastructure, particularly 3G and 4G networks. Further investment in both mobile and fixed telecoms infrastructure, particularly in the rural areas, is required however in order to speed up progress and lower costs for consumers.

Many unique challenges and opportunities exist in the Iranian telecoms market. BuddeComm explores Iran’s telecoms sector in further detail throughout this report along with analyses of the market, key industry statistics, and information on the key developments and major players.

Recent developments:

  • The operators have recently agreed to offer national roaming which will assist to improve services in rural areas.
  • A significant development occurred in early 2018 when TCI began infrastructure sharing its fibre network with competitors.
  • Smart phone penetration is relatively low in Iran compared to other markets.
  • Iran is implementing its 6th Development Plan during 2016 – 2021.
  • The broadband operator, Iranian-net, is deploying a national fibre network.

Companies mentioned in this report include:

Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI), Mobile Communications Iran (MCI), MTN Irancell, Tamin Telecom (Rightel).

Table of Contents

  • Key statistics

    • Country overview

  • Telecommunications market

    • Market analysis
      • Alleged sanction violations

  • Regulatory environment

    • Historic overview
    • Sixth five year plan 2016 -2021
    • Regulatory authority
    • WiMAX licences
    • Number Portability (NP)
    • Roaming

  • Fixed network operators in Iran

    • Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI)
    • Other licence holders/VoIP

  • Telecommunications infrastructure

    • National telecom network
      • National Internet Network (NIN)
    • International infrastructure
      • Submarine and terrestrial cable networks
      • Satellite networks

  • Broadband access market

    • Introduction and statistical overview
      • Market analysis
      • Broadband statistics
    • Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) networks
    • Fibre-to-the-Premises (FttP) and Fibre-To-The-Home (FttH)
    • Other fixed broadband services
      • Fixed wireless (WiFi and WiMAX)

  • Digital economy

    • Introduction
    • E-Health
    • Video-streaming and IPTV
    • Start-ups

  • Mobile communications

    • Market analysis
      • MVNOs
    • Mobile statistics
      • General statistics
    • Mobile broadband statistics
    • Regulatory issues
      • Second mobile licence – MTN Irancell
      • Third Mobile licence – Tamin Telecom (Rightel)
    • Mobile infrastructure
      • 5G
      • 4G LTE
      • GSM, 3G
    • Major mobile operators
      • MCI (Mobile Communications Iran)/Hamrah-e-Avval
      • MTN Irancell
      • Tamin Telecom (Rightel)
    • Mobile content and applications
      • Messaging services
      • M-banking (payments/loans)
    • Mobile handsets

  • Related reports


List of Tables

  • Table 1 – Country statistics and regulatory authorities - Iran – 2019
  • Table 2 - Iran – GDP and inflation – 2012 – 2019
  • Table 3 – Iran - fixed lines in service and teledensity – 1995 – 2020
  • Table 4 – Iran - International Internet bandwidth – 2002 – 2016
  • Table 5 – Iran - Internet users and penetration estimates – 1996 – 2017
  • Table 6 – Iran - fixed broadband subscribers – 2006 – 2020
  • Table 7 – Household PC penetration – 2002 – 2017
  • Table 8 – Historical - Irancell WiMAX subscribers – 2012 – 2015
  • Table 9 – Iran – historic mobile subscribers and penetration - 1995 – 2006
  • Table 10 – Iran - mobile subscribers and penetration – 2007 – 2019
  • Table 11 - Iran - mobile broadband subscriptions and penetration – 2013 – 2020
  • Table 12 – Iran mobile operators – subscriber market share – 2016; mid 2017
  • Table 13 – MTN Irancell – Revenue and CAPEX – 2016 – 2017
  • Table 14 – MTN Irancell – mobile subscribers and ARPU – 2007 – 1H 2018

List of Exhibits

  • Exhibit 1 – Privatisation of TCI

Related Reports

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Focus Report Profile

Technologies

Broadband Fixed
Broadcasting
Companies (Major Players)
Internet
Mobile & Wireless Broadband and Media
Mobile Communications (voice and infrastructure)
Regulations & Government Policies
Strategies & Analyses (Industry & Markets)
Telecoms Infrastructure

Number of pages 67

Status Current

Last updated 20 Feb 2019
Update History

Lead Analyst: Kylie Wansink

Contributing Analyst:

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Paul, Many thanks for your inputs yesterday. You provided a compelling different perspective to our traditional infrastructure focus and this is valuable for our future planning. I also had very favourable feedback from our participants on your involvement.

Stephen Negus, Aurecon

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