Introduction: A Setback for Iran’s Digital Connectivity

In an era where fast and reliable internet drives economic and social progress, Iran is falling behind. The April 2024 Speedtest Global Index by Ookla showed a drop in Iran’s rankings for both fixed and mobile internet speeds. The country now sits in the middle tier globally. This article examines the causes behind Iran’s internet speed decline, its effects on users and businesses, and practical steps to boost digital infrastructure based on the latest data and trends.

Understanding the Speedtest Global Index

The Speedtest Global Index, compiled by Ookla, ranks countries based on median download and upload speeds derived from millions of user-initiated tests worldwide. This benchmark reflects real-world internet performance, influencing policy decisions and investment in telecom infrastructure. In April 2024, Iran’s fixed internet ranked 145th out of 180 countries, while mobile internet stood at 62nd out of 138, both reflecting a decline from previous months.

Iran’s Fixed Internet Performance in April 2024

Iran’s fixed internet saw a slight decline in April 2024, with a median download speed of 11.97 Mbps and an upload speed of 2.28 Mbps, alongside a latency of 30 milliseconds. This positioned Iran at 145th globally, a drop of one rank from March 2024. Compared to global leaders like Singapore (316.99 Mbps) and the UAE (300.54 Mbps), Iran’s fixed broadband lags significantly, hindered by outdated copper-based infrastructure.

Decline in Mobile Internet Rankings

Mobile internet in Iran also faced setbacks, with a median download speed of 35.98 Mbps and an upload speed of 10.95 Mbps, with a latency of 29 milliseconds. This resulted in a rank of 62nd, down one position from the previous month. In contrast, top performers like Qatar (189.98 Mbps) and the UAE (175.34 Mbps) highlight the global gap. Despite a reported increase to 49.63 Mbps by January 2025, April 2024 marked a low point, reflecting inconsistent progress.

Why Iran’s Internet Rankings Declined

Several factors contributed to Iran’s mid-table decline in the April 2024 Speedtest report:

• Underinvestment in Infrastructure: Limited funding for fiber optic networks and 5G deployment slows modernization, leaving Iran reliant on aging copper lines.
• Sanctions and Equipment Limitations: International sanctions restrict access to cutting-edge telecom equipment, delaying upgrades.
• Aging Infrastructure: Copper-based fixed networks struggle to deliver high speeds, unlike fiber optics used by global leaders.
• Surging Demand: With 150.66 million mobile connections and 1.7 devices per person, network congestion strains capacity.
• Government Restrictions: Frequent internet shutdowns, including a 97% traffic drop in June 2025, disrupt performance and user experience.
• Global Competition: Countries like the UAE and Bulgaria are rapidly advancing their infrastructure, outpacing Iran’s progress.

These challenges, combined with a 34% tariff hike in 2024 without corresponding service improvements, have fueled public dissatisfaction.

Impact of Declining Internet Speeds

Iran’s rank decline has far-reaching consequences:

• Disrupted Daily Life: Slow internet hampers online education, remote work, and access to e-government services, critical for 68.7% of Iran’s internet users.
• Economic Losses: Online businesses lost over 50% of revenue during 2022 disruptions, a trend likely exacerbated in 2024.
• Reduced Global Competitiveness: Poor internet quality deters foreign investment in Iran’s IT sector, limiting digital economy growth.
• User Frustration: A report by the Tehran E-Commerce Association ranked Iran 97th out of 100 countries for internet speed, disruptions, and restrictions, with 93% of youth using VPNs to bypass limitations.

Solutions to Improve Iran’s Internet Performance

Addressing Iran’s internet challenges requires coordinated action:

• Accelerate Fiber Optic Deployment: Prioritize the national fiber optic project to replace copper networks, targeting gigabit speeds.
• Boost 5G Expansion: Meet the Ministry of Communications’ goal of 10% 5G coverage by March 2025 to enhance mobile speeds.
• Ease Sanctions Barriers: Explore partnerships with non-sanctioned countries (e.g., China’s BeiDou for navigation) to access modern equipment.
• Encourage Private Investment: Simplify regulations to attract domestic and foreign capital for telecom upgrades.
• Reduce Disruptions: Minimize government-induced shutdowns to ensure stable connectivity, as advocated by digital rights groups.
• Leverage Starlink: The rising use of Starlink among Iranian users suggests potential for satellite internet to bypass terrestrial limitations.

Future Outlook: Opportunities for Progress

Despite challenges, Iran has opportunities to climb the Speedtest rankings. A young, tech-savvy population and a growing digital economy provide strong incentives for investment. By January 2025, Iran improved to 69th in mobile and 136th in fixed internet rankings, with mobile download speeds reaching 49.63 Mbps. Sustained efforts in infrastructure modernization and policy reform could further this progress, positioning Iran as a regional digital hub.

Conclusion: A Call for Urgent Action

The April 2024 Speedtest report underscores Iran’s declining internet performance, with fixed and mobile speeds lagging behind global leaders. Infrastructure limitations, sanctions, and disruptions have driven Iran to 145th and 62nd in fixed and mobile rankings, respectively, impacting daily life and economic growth. By prioritizing fiber optics, 5G, and stable connectivity, Iran can reverse this decline and enhance its digital ecosystem. Urgent, coordinated action is needed to ensure a faster, more reliable internet for Iran’s 90 million users.