These unacceptable statistics present themselves while executive directors of the Iranian government, especially the directors of the network communications in the country, have falsely reported on the ‘astounding’ growth of ICT throughout Iran. These claims are especially ludicrous when we consider that the deprived Palestine has much better access to broadband internet than Iran.

Palestinian households are twice as likely to have access to internet as Iranian households. On average, 27% of households in the MENA region have access to broadband internet, with Iran lagging behind at only 12% connected. 

The report states that most countries in the region use fourth generation wireless internet technology, but Iran uses mostly third generation wireless internet technology. Fourth generation wireless internet is used by only 0.05% of Iranians, while in Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait it is used by 74% of citizens, 69% and 67%, respectively.

In another part of the report, MENA countries are classified with respect to specific categories of development and access to internet. In the fixed band category, Iran is classified as urgent; in the wireless internet category, Iran is classified as not applicable. Among the 19 MENA countries Iran, Iraq and Algeria rank last in development and internet assets.

Regarding speed of data transfer by underground cables, Bahrain is 73 times faster than Iran with 10020 Kbytes/second.

The World Bank report states internet infrastructure is an indicator of industrial development in communications and information. Iran has a disrupted state with respect to other countries in the region. 

Industrial development in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is used as an indicator for economic development. The ICT industry has been ignored in Iran until now.

Iranian Ministry of Information and Communications Technology officials are quick to brag about the fast rate of growth and expansion of broadband internet in Iran. The reality is that senior directors of the government have entrusted themselves to statistics that are fabricated.”