WANA (Oct 24) – Iran’s national space program is entering a new phase as the country prepares for the simultaneous launch of three domestically built satellites—Zafar, Paya, and Kosar-2—by the end of the year, according to the head of the Iranian Space Agency, Dr. Hassan Salarieh.

 

The upcoming “triple launch” marks a significant step in Iran’s efforts to enhance its satellite manufacturing and launch capabilities. Salarieh confirmed that Iran has now developed the capacity to design and produce satellites weighing up to 250 kilograms, and the Chabahar National Launch Base, currently 94% complete, will soon support launches using solid-fuel rockets.

 

In parallel with these space milestones, the country has achieved its first satellite-based voice call using the Nahid-2 communications satellite, which successfully completed subsystem evaluations in a 500-kilometer orbit earlier this month.

Digital Transformation Across Sectors

Beyond the space domain, Iran’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) unveiled several new national initiatives aimed at modernizing digital infrastructure and expanding rural connectivity.

 

According to Minister Seyed Sattar Hashemi, over 2,400 villages have been connected through the government’s Rural Connectivity Program, while a nationwide project is underway to replace century-old copper cables with fiber-optic networks, with a target of completing 70% by the end of the current administration.

 

The government also plans to deliver broadband speeds of up to 500 Mbps and expand 5G coverage in major cities by up to 20% annually.

 

Robotics and Smart Logistics

Earlier this week, Iran’s National Post Company introduced the third generation of intelligent parcel-sorting robots, featuring advanced OCR-based address recognition that allows them to process items twice as fast as earlier models.

 

With 90% of components locally produced, these robots now operate in 64 postal zones, enhancing automation in the logistics sector.

 

Satellite launch

Three Iranian Satellites to Be Launched Simultaneously This Fall

WANA (Oct 22) – This fall, three Iranian Earth-observation satellites will be launched into orbit in a joint effort involving the government, universities, and private industry—marking a major milestone in Iran’s space sector.   Hassan Salarieh, Deputy Minister of Communications and Head of the Iranian Space Agency (ISA), outlined the current state and two decades […]

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Internet Performance and Regulation

Iran’s internet speeds showed moderate improvement in the latest Speedtest Global Index for September 2025, with median mobile download speeds reaching 55.3 Mbps and fixed broadband at 19.2 Mbps.

 

Meanwhile, the country’s telecom regulator announced its first tariff adjustment in over a decade, revising SMS and voice call rates to reflect current market realities and sustain investment in infrastructure.

 

Smart Villages and Cultural Heritage

In collaboration with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, the ICT Ministry is also preparing to digitally empower Iran’s UNESCO-registered villages, integrating modern connectivity, digital tourism tools, and entrepreneurship support to promote sustainable local economies and global visibility.

 

Iran’s latest announcements—from triple satellite launches to rural fiber deployment—underscore a national strategy focused on technological sovereignty, digital modernization, and expanding access to global communications infrastructure.