Mobile infrastructure is improving in Iran
There are two major mobile operators in Iran and mobile penetration is considered to be high with a rate of 119%. Most citizens access 2G and 3G networks and in November 2014, the first 4G LTE network was launched by MTN Irancell. While 4G LTE services are available, primarily in the urban areas – around one third of mobile subscribers don’t own a smart phone. Initial testing of 5G began in Iran in 2017.
Prior to the US government reimposing economic sanctions again during 2018; the two major operators, MCI and MTN Irancell made great strides in upgrading infrastructure, particularly 3G and 4G networks. Further investment in both mobile and fixed telecoms infrastructure, particularly in the rural areas, is required however in order to speed up progress and lower costs for consumers.
Many unique challenges and opportunities exist in the Iranian telecoms market. BuddeComm explores Iran’s telecoms sector in further detail throughout this report along with analyses of the market, key industry statistics, and information on the key developments and major players.
Recent developments:
The operators have recently agreed to offer national roaming which will assist to improve services in rural areas.
A significant development occurred in early 2018 when TCI began infrastructure sharing its fibre network with competitors.
Smart phone penetration is relatively low in Iran compared to other markets.
Iran is implementing its 6th Development Plan during 2016 – 2021.
The broadband operator, Iranian-net, is deploying a national fibre network. Companies mentioned in this report include:
Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI), Mobile Communications Iran (MCI), MTN Irancell, Tamin Telecom (Rightel).
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Key statistics Country overview Telecommunications market Market analysis Alleged sanction violations Regulatory environment Historic overview Sixth five year plan 2016 -2021 Regulatory authority WiMAX licences Number Portability (NP) Roaming Fixed network operators in Iran Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI) Other licence holders/VoIP Telecommunications infrastructure National telecom network National Internet Network (NIN) International infrastructure Submarine and terrestrial cable networks Satellite networks Broadband access market Introduction and statistical overview Market analysis Broadband statistics Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) networks Fibre-to-the-Premises (FttP) and Fibre-To-The-Home (FttH) Other fixed broadband services Fixed wireless (WiFi and WiMAX) Digital economy Introduction E-Health Video-streaming and IPTV Start-ups Mobile communications Market analysis MVNOs Mobile statistics General statistics Mobile broadband statistics Regulatory issues Second mobile licence – MTN Irancell Third Mobile licence – Tamin Telecom (Rightel) Mobile infrastructure 5G 4G LTE GSM, 3G Major mobile operators MCI (Mobile Communications Iran)/Hamrah-e-Avval MTN Irancell Tamin Telecom (Rightel) Mobile content and applications Messaging services M-banking (payments/loans) Mobile handsets Related reportsList of Tables
Table 1 – Country statistics and regulatory authorities - Iran – 2019
Table 2 - Iran – GDP and inflation – 2012 – 2019
Table 3 – Iran - fixed lines in service and teledensity – 1995 – 2020
Table 4 – Iran - International Internet bandwidth – 2002 – 2016
Table 5 – Iran - Internet users and penetration estimates – 1996 – 2017
Table 6 – Iran - fixed broadband subscribers – 2006 – 2020
Table 7 – Household PC penetration – 2002 – 2017
Table 8 – Historical - Irancell WiMAX subscribers – 2012 – 2015
Table 9 – Iran – historic mobile subscribers and penetration - 1995 – 2006
Table 10 – Iran - mobile subscribers and penetration – 2007 – 2019
Table 11 - Iran - mobile broadband subscriptions and penetration – 2013 – 2020
Table 12 – Iran mobile operators – subscriber market share – 2016; mid 2017
Table 13 – MTN Irancell – Revenue and CAPEX – 2016 – 2017
Table 14 – MTN Irancell – mobile subscribers and ARPU – 2007 – 1H 2018List of Exhibits
Exhibit 1 – Privatisation of TCI
