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International Internet Disruptions: A Serious Threat to Iran’s Economic and Social Infrastructure

International Internet Disruptions: A Serious Threat to Iran’s Economic and Social Infrastructure

In the age of communication, the internet is considered the vital artery of modern societies. Stable and high-quality access to international internet is not just a tool for daily communication, but the backbone of the digital economy, education, research, and social interactions. However, in recent years, Iran has witnessed a wave of disruptions and restrictions in access to the international internet. This phenomenon can no longer be seen merely as a temporary technical issue; rather, it appears to be the result of systematic policies targeting this critical infrastructure. These International Internet Disruptions are currently damaging the country’s economic and social infrastructures and have profound consequences for people’s lives and the future of Iran’s development.

Contrary to official claims of technical problems, analyses and field evidence suggest that internet outages and quality degradation, especially in international connections, have deeper roots. The Telecommunication Infrastructure Company, the entity responsible for providing the country’s international bandwidth, has itself acknowledged issues in some international communication routes. However, what users and businesses experience goes beyond a temporary technical fault. This situation has led to a significant decrease in traffic on international platforms, effectively stifling Iran’s digital economy.

Economic Consequences of International Internet Disruptions

The digital economy is rapidly becoming a crucial part of the global and national economy. Online businesses, startups, freelancers, and even more traditional sectors using digital tools for marketing, sales, and customer communication, are all heavily dependent on stable and high-speed internet. International Internet Disruptions directly hit this vital sector.

One of the most tangible consequences is direct financial loss. According to estimates by the international monitoring body NetBlocks, every hour of complete internet outage in Iran imposes a cost of $1.5 million on the country’s economy. This staggering figure represents only the cost of lost immediate opportunities and does not include accumulated and long-term damages. The erosion of trust among foreign and domestic customers regarding the stability of Iranian online services, the destruction of costly digital marketing campaigns, and the halt in the customer communication cycle vital for business survival and growth, are just some of these hidden costs.

Furthermore, disruptions in accessing international platforms and tools that many Iranian businesses rely on for their daily operations (such as project management tools, collaboration platforms, cloud services, and social media for marketing and sales) effectively halt the gears of these businesses. This not only leads to reduced income and profitability but also results in job losses in the digital sector. Freelancers working with foreign clients or using international platforms to find projects lose opportunities due to unstable access. This blow to the country’s skilled and specialized workforce can, in the long run, lead to brain drain and the depletion of expertise needed for further development.

Social and Cultural Impacts of Internet Disruptions

International Internet Disruptions are not limited to the economic sector; they affect deeper layers of society. The internet has become a key tool for education, access to information, social and cultural interactions, and civic participation. Restrictions on access to the international internet disrupt Iranian users’ access to global scientific, educational, and cultural resources. Students and researchers face difficulties accessing articles, books, and online courses. This can reduce the quality of education and research in the country and isolate the academic community.

Moreover, international communication platforms and social networks play a significant role in social interactions, the formation of online communities, and cultural exchange. Restricting access to these platforms makes it difficult for Iranians to connect with the outside world and even with each other. This isolation can lead to a decrease in social capital, weakening of family and friend connections abroad, and reduced social awareness. The ability to express opinions freely, organize civil activities, and access diverse news and information is also weakened by these restrictions.

The psychological effects of internet disruptions are also considerable. Increasing reliance on the internet for work, study, communication, and entertainment has led to stress, anxiety, and frustration among users when outages and quality degradation occur. Businesses suffering losses with each outage endure significant psychological pressure. Students unable to submit projects on time or attend online classes face difficulties. These pressures can ultimately affect the mental health of society.

Root Cause Analysis: Technical or Policy-Driven?

While officials sometimes attribute disruptions to technical problems, fiber optic cuts in international routes, or even security reasons and countering enemy misuse, many experts and users believe that a significant portion of these issues stems from policy-making and governmental approaches. It seems that the approach which has transformed the internet from a ‘tool for development’ into a perpetual ‘security suspect’ is the main cause of instability and restrictions. This paradigm shift in viewing the digital space has led to actions that, instead of resolving technical issues, fuel further access restrictions and filtering.

Contradictory claims by officials regarding the internet situation have also led to confusion and distrust. While the Minister of Communications sometimes speaks of improved conditions, field evidence and reports from international bodies like NetBlocks show the opposite. This clash between official claims and users’ real experiences reduces public trust in officials and the future of the internet in the country.

Solutions and Looking Ahead

Continued International Internet Disruptions can inflict irreversible damage on Iran’s economy and society. To prevent this catastrophe, a serious review of policies and approaches towards the internet is necessary. Transforming the internet from a ‘suspect’ into an ‘opportunity’ is the first and most important step.

Investing in communication infrastructure to increase stability and bandwidth, diversifying international communication routes to reduce dependence on one or a few specific paths, and providing transparency regarding the real reasons for disruptions and offering stable technical solutions are essential steps at the technical level. But more importantly, changing the policy approach and reducing unnecessary restrictions is crucial. Accepting the internet as a vital tool for development in all economic, social, scientific, and cultural dimensions can pave the way for improving the situation.

Creating an open and predictable environment for digital businesses and users, guaranteeing free access to necessary information and tools, and collaborating with the technical community and users to identify and solve problems can help rebuild trust and maximize the internet’s potential. Without stable and high-quality access to the international internet, moving towards a knowledge-based economy and a dynamic society connected to the world will be difficult or even impossible. The digital economy’s breath is struggling, and its revival requires serious decisions and immediate actions.

Conclusion: A Future Tied to Connection

Ultimately, the consequences of International Internet Disruptions go beyond users’ daily frustrations. This phenomenon is destroying the country’s economic and social infrastructure at a deep and long-term level. Loss of economic opportunities, damage to startups, reduced productivity, limited access to knowledge and information, and cultural and social isolation are just some of these consequences. The government and responsible bodies must understand the strategic importance of the internet and change their approach from security-oriented to development-oriented. By investing and implementing appropriate policies, they must guarantee stable and high-quality access to the international internet for all citizens and businesses. Iran’s economic and social future is largely tied to how this vital artery is managed and developed.

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