TEHRAN – The Deputy Director General of the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) attended the 26th South Asian Telecommunications Regulatory Council (SATRC-26) meeting on behalf of Iran.
The conference was organized by the Asia Pacific Electricity Community (APT) and hosted by Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) and was held from November 5th to 7th in Islamabad, Pakistan.
The event brought together policy experts and representatives from member countries including Iran, Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, and Pakistan to discuss ways to develop regional digital cooperation.
SATRC-26 focused on reviewing key policies and regulations in the information, communications and technology (ICT) sector, spectrum management, expanding digital access and promoting regional cooperation, IRIB quoted Seyed Mohammad-Hasan Javanzadeh as saying.
Noting the recognition of the outcomes of the SATRC Action Plan Phase IX and the adaptation of the SATRC Action Plan Phase
During the three-day event, Iranian officials met with other South Asian regulators to focus on strengthening technical cooperation, sharing expertise on global access to digital services, ensuring quality of service, and promoting healthy competition in the telecommunications market.
SATRC-26 focused on the adoption of the Tokyo Declaration 2025 and its implications for sustainable, inclusive and equitable digital transformation in South Asia, and served as the main regional platform for dialogue and cooperation on key regulatory issues. The Tokyo Statement identifies six strategic priorities, including digital connectivity, digital innovation and entrepreneurship, trust and security, digital inclusion and capacity building, sustainability, and partnership and collaboration. Discussions covered key themes such as emerging technologies, universal connectivity, spectrum harmonization, and regulatory innovation.
Current status of ICT in Iran
The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology is the country’s highest authority in the ICT sector. All activities related to the information and communication technology industry are directly connected to the Ministry.
The government is paying special attention to plans and policies in this area to maximize the use of ICT to facilitate people’s lives.
The successful design, construction and launch of satellites is a testament to the country’s technological and scientific growth.
Space technology has been viewed as a tool to expand the prosperity, peace, and promote scientific and cultural development and economic progress in human society.
Different countries around the world are utilizing this technology in one way or another based on their capabilities, abilities and efforts.
Currently, 13 universities and research institutes under the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology have established aerospace majors in Iran, and the country has a high ability to train experts and experts in the field of aerospace, making it a developed country in the region.
Access to telecommunications services in rural areas of the country improved during this period, with the total number of villages with access to telecommunications services increasing to 52,182, or approximately 93% of all villages. Meanwhile, 47,837 villages had home landline telephone service.
Furthermore, according to the CRA, the number of mobile phone users in Iran has reached nearly 135.89 million, making the country’s mobile phone penetration rate 161.67 percent.
However, the figures show that fixed broadband penetration in Iran remains stagnant at 14%, with nearly 11.921 million customers accessing the internet through these services.
The statistics show that fixed broadband internet has grown by less than 2% compared to last year, while mobile internet has grown by 10%. However, the speed at which mobile internet spreads is five times that of fixed internet.
MT/MG