The recent surge in internet prices in Iran has sparked widespread concern and criticism, with many viewing it as a government strategy to impose indirect restrictions on cyberspace. This move has intensified the ongoing debate over the Iranian regime’s approach to internet censorship, particularly in the context of public protests.
Ham Mihan newspaper, in a noteworthy commentary, pointed out that the government’s failure to effectively filter Instagram and its unsuccessful attempts to divert users to Iranian applications have prompted the authorities to resort to economic measures. By raising the price of Internet, the government appears to be aiming to discourage people from accessing online services.
A member of parliament, Lotfollah Siahkoli, denounced the increase in internet prices as unjustifiable. He compared the situation to other countries, highlighting that in Germany, only 1.2% of people’s salaries are spent on internet services. This underscores the disproportionate burden imposed on Iranian citizens.
Farhikhtegan newspaper went further, asserting that the reported 30% increase in the price of the Internet is, in reality, a tripling of the cost. The newspaper also drew attention to the subpar quality of internet services in Iran, contending that the actual cost for users exceeds the officially announced price.
The Young Journalists Club investigated the impact of the price hike on internet packages. According to their findings, the new internet packages of Iran’s Hamrahe Aval mobile operator have been introduced at a rate of 6,000 tomans per gigabyte, significantly higher than the previous long-term package, which cost around 2,000 tomans per gigabyte.
In response to growing concerns, the head of the Radio Communications Regulatory Organization emphasized that existing internet packages should not be discontinued, and any price increase should not exceed 34%. This statement aims to address fears of further economic strain on Iranian citizens amid the already challenging inflationary conditions.
Experts argue that the current economic climate, coupled with the increased cost of the Internet, is likely to discourage many Iranians from utilizing online services. Critics contend that this is precisely the regime’s intention behind the price hike – to limit people’s access to information and curb online activism, especially in the midst of public protests.
Activists in the field assert that Iran’s internet infrastructure is among the weakest and slowest globally. In a report released by the Tehran Electronic Commerce Association, the quality of the Internet in Iran was described as being in a ‘critical’ state. The report ranked Iran as having the second most disrupted internet after Myanmar, the second most limited internet after China, and among the five slowest in the world.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the Tehran Electronic Commerce Association concluded, “Iran is the champion of low-quality internet in the world with a total of tow runners-up and one diploma of honor and with 294 negative points.” This damning assessment underscores the urgent need for addressing the challenges faced by Iranian citizens in accessing a reliable and affordable internet service.
