Telecommunications in Iran - Internet - Statistics

Statistics

• Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 12 certified for high-speed connections - Iran had 1,223 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in 2009, all private sector operated.
• Country code (Top-level domain): IR
• Internet users (including internet cafe users): 23 million (2007); 43 million (2012).
• 250,000 users have access to high-speed Internet service in Iran (October 2006) While having the most internet users in the Middle East, in terms of broadband users Iran is only 14th in Middle East (2012).
• Iran ranks 32nd in the world in terms of the number websites. Until 2009, 200,000 sites have been launched in Iran. 118,000 sites are using the domain ".ir".
• Some 1,218 of Iranian cities have access to Internet and 1,460 telecommunication centers are operational there (2008)
• Iran’s optical fiber network extends over 120,000 kilometers and has optical fiber connections with all neighboring states (2008). As of 2008, more than 36000 kilometers optical fiber in the backbone network and 45000 kilometers in cities have been installed.
• There are an estimated 1,500 Internet cafes operating in the capital, Tehran (2008). Prepaid Internet-access cards are widely available throughout the country.

As of 2008, more than 100 companies sell International VoIP cards and the government has announced to issue 4-5 VoIP licenses through holding bids for national use.