Iran's Internet Woes: A Struggle for Connectivity and Freedom
According to a recent report by the Tehran E-Commerce Association’s Internet and Infrastructure Commission, Iran finds itself languishing in an unenviable position, ranking 97th out of 100 countries on internet speed, quality, and restrictions. It’s a sobering statistic, with only Cuba, Turkmenistan, and Sudan trailing behind. The ranking paints a picture of ill-timed disruptions, stringent censorship, and painfully slow connections that the Iranian populace battles daily.
“Iran remains among the worst in the world in internet quality,” said Hamidreza Ahmadi, deputy chair of the commission.
The Call for Change: A Movement Against Restrictions
The report amplifies the voice of 100 Iranian startups crying out for freedom—freedom from the overwhelming censorship throttling their digital capabilities. Their demands echo across the digital void: lift the ironclad restrictions, increase bandwidth, and embrace progressive protocols like HTTP/6 and IPV6. The sentiment is clear: Iran cannot continue to compromise its digital evolution due to outdated policies.
Pre-War Censorship Persists: Youth Turn to VPNs
While the scars of recent conflicts linger, the battle for free and unrestricted internet access in Iran forges on. A glaring example of this digital defiance is the near-ubiquitous use of VPNs among Iranian youth. Strikingly, 93% of those aged between 15 to 30 have resorted to this digital workaround. Despite these workarounds, Instagram remains an essential digital sanctuary for the country’s netizens amidst mounting censorship.
A Look into the Future: Guardian of Internet Freedom?
Amidst the gloom, the increasing traction of Starlink satellite internet in Iran breathes hope into the beleaguered landscape. Being described as a “super VPN,” the Starlink service offers a glimpse into a future where the internet could break free from the heavy yokes that bind it.
“Every action being taken contradicts the goal of growing the digital economy to 10% of Iran’s GDP,” notes Nima Ghazi, head of the E-Commerce Association.
The fifth Internet Quality Report by the commission has highlighted a persistent and conscious blocking of HTTP/3, a critical protocol aimed at better, faster, and more encrypted data transmission across networks. The decision, reportedly under national security directives, stifles the country’s progress toward a competitive digital economy.
A Nation at Crossroads: Will Policy Prevail Over Progress?
In the face of mounting internal and external pressures, Iran stands at the precipice of a new era in digital connectivity. Its journey to achieving a more open and robust digital presence is fraught with challenges, yet the resolve of its populace points toward a brighter digital future—if only the chains of restriction could finally be undone.
As stated in Iran Focus, the path to better connectivity and freedom for Iranian internet users is long and twisted, but not impossible.
