National communication projects unveiled
Minister: Major space industry projects to be completed by yearend
Three national projects in the fields of smart communications, technological innovation, and digital equity were unveiled during a ceremony commemorating World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, attended by President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The projects, which focused on communication infrastructure, innovation support and expanding connectivity equity, were inaugurated and put into operation, as reported by IRNA.
The event, held at the Space Research Institute of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology on Saturday morning, also marked the beginning of Artificial Intelligence Week and was attended by Minister of Information and Communications Technology Sattar Hashemi.
Addressing the ceremony, the communication minister announced significant progress in Iran’s space industry this year, stating, “Major projects such as the Chabahar Spaceport, and Salmas and Chenaran infrastructures will reach completion this year.”
He emphasized that the rapid growth of the space sector has not slowed but “gained even greater momentum.”
Highlighting advancements in satellite development and project upgrades, Hashemi cited Chabahar, Salmas, and Chenaran as key initiatives set to achieve milestones this year.
Expanding national network capacity
The three projects unveiled on Saturday — ranging from infrastructure development to fostering tech ecosystems and enhancing rural connectivity — outline a roadmap for the country’s digital future.
The first project significantly boosted Iran’s core network capacity to 28 terabits per second across 285 locations in 31 provinces, leveraging domestic expertise. This marks a 62% increase in national transmission capacity, from 45,000 to 73,000 gigabits per second, enabling faster, higher-quality connectivity. The upgrade also lays the groundwork for IT, AI, and 5G technologies. Since the current administration took office in July, international internet traffic has risen by 28%, while data transit and international collaborations surged by 50%, reflecting strides in data diplomacy.
Fava Galaxy a platform
for tech innovation
The second project, the integrated Fava Galaxy platform, aims to drive technological leaps by offering financial support, specialized resources, investment partnerships, and market stimulation to startups, tech teams, and knowledge-based companies.
Designed to align with the Seventh Development Plan, the platform delivers such services through a transparent, agile, and intelligent framework.
Bridging rural connectivity gap
The third initiative targets underserved rural areas, providing communication access to 1,478 villages as the development of communication equity, with a focus on deprived and rural areas, was prioritized.
Since July, access to communication services has been provided in 1,478 villages, and in the last few months alone, 155,088 households and over 525,000 people in rural areas have gained access to high-speed mobile internet.
Over the past eight months, internet coverage in rural areas has increased by 4%, narrowing the digital divide and advancing communication equity nationwide.