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Iran's 'Internet Pro' Offers Business Lifeline Amidst Blackout
28 Apr
Summary
- Iran's top security body approved a temporary scheme for businesses to access the global internet.
- Most Iranians have been offline for 60 days due to a government-imposed internet blackout.
- Daily economic losses from internet outages are estimated between $30 million and $80 million.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council has approved the 'Internet Pro' scheme, a temporary measure allowing businesses limited access to the global internet. This comes after an ongoing internet blackout imposed by authorities, which has affected most citizens for approximately 60 days. The restrictions were initially enacted in January following protests and re-imposed on February 28 amid conflict with the U.S. and Israel.
The "Internet Pro" initiative seeks to alleviate severe economic consequences. Daily losses from internet outages are estimated between $30 million and $40 million in direct costs, potentially reaching up to $80 million with indirect effects. This has led to job losses and surging prices, impacting various sectors beyond the digital economy.
Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani stated that internet access would normalize once the situation is deemed stable. She emphasized the government's receptiveness to public demands and its belief in internet access as a civil right. However, reports indicate that some telecom operators may have already violated the 'Internet Pro' framework, with investigations underway.
