Iran has reiterated its resolve to give attention to digital growth regardless of battle and sanctions from the West. Seyed Sattar Hashemi, Minister of Info and Communications Expertise (ICT), delivered the remarks on the opening ceremony of the high-level session of the World Telecommunication Improvement Convention (WTDC-25) in Baku.
Discussing Iran’s advances in info and communication applied sciences, Hashemi pressured that equal entry to the digital house should be acknowledged as a elementary human proper.
The theme of WTDC-25 is “World, significant and inexpensive connectivity for inclusive and sustainable growth.” Hashemi talked about that Iran has considerably lowered the price of high-usage cellular web packages to 0.3% of GDP per capita, and glued web to 0.2%, putting the nation within the listing of countries with essentially the most inexpensive digital service.
Iran commits to digital growth amid battle and sanctions
In response to Hashemi, Iran has eliminated one of many largest obstacles to on-line entry, which is its excessive prices. The minister added that Iran now has about 166.3 cellular web subscriptions per 100 inhabitants, with greater than 92% protection of 3G and 4G/LTE networks. He additionally added that deployment of 5G networks has additionally elevated, noting that it has reached about 2,400 energetic websites nationwide.
Hashemi pressured that web connectivity shouldn’t simply be about being on-line; it must be about enabling significant advantages, creating alternatives for scientific, financial, and social growth. He additionally highlighted Iran’s progress in lowering the digital hole between city and rural areas, noting that the nation ranks ninth globally in lowering the agricultural hole in digital funds. Monetary know-how and on-line providers have additionally turn into out there to residents of each areas.
The minister attributed these achievements to 2 main nationwide applications. The primary, he mentioned, was establishing a digital ecosystem for presidency providers. This ecosystem gives public providers by a single platform supported by clever brokers. These brokers deal with administrative processes on behalf of customers, saving time, vitality, and bills whereas enhancing social equity.
The second program focuses on enhancing and increasing the nationwide fiber-optic community. The nation is making an attempt to transition from copper traces to fiber, extending high-speed connectivity to houses and companies. This system has achieved about 45% of its nationwide targets, guaranteeing that greater than 9 million households have been linked. The minister famous that the growth improves web high quality and likewise gives a secure basis for future-focused applied sciences.
Hashemi highlights the necessity for world digital cooperation
Hashemi highlighted that these accomplishments have been carried out underneath very tough circumstances, noting the army strikes towards civilian communication infrastructure, cyberattacks, and restrictions on superior know-how and monetary networks in the course of the current conflicts that lasted for 12 days. He gave credit score to the nation and its workforce for being resilient and displaying their experience in the course of the powerful intervals.
The minister added that Iran is prepared for a win-win cooperation with keen nations to advance inclusive digital growth, aiming to extend the contribution of the digital financial system to 10% of the nationwide GDP.
In his last remarks, the minister highlighted the position of worldwide cooperation in reaching sustainable digital growth. He famous that the goal of a ten% digital financial system share can’t be met with out the fitting world partnerships.
Hashemi pressured that the Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes engagement with different nations to foster a synergy in constructing a digital future accessible to all. In the meantime, Iran will not be the one nation banking on its digital financial system.
Oman just lately introduced its intention to enhance its digital financial system in order that it might increase its GDP by 10%. The nation mentioned it should construct its Nationwide Digital Economic system Programme, which is predicted to give attention to three pillars.
