First TDD-LTE network in Iran was launched

The First Wireless Home and Office Broadband network (TDD-LTE) in Iran was launched by MTN Irancell on Wednesday Aug 3^rd 2016 during a press conference in the Iranian holy city of Mashhad.

According to MTN Irancell Public Relations, the event was held at the presence of media reporters as well as MTN Irancell CEO and executive managers. TDD-LTE network launched simultaneously in Mashhad and 24 other cities across the country.

TDD-LTE is the last generation of fixed broadband and the best wireless choice to provide homes and offices with internet service. Using this technology, users can experience a high stability rate in upload and download and a higher internet speed compared to the former technologies such as Dial-up, ADSL and WiMAX while some limitations such as old technology, movement limitation, requirement of a phone line, etc. have been lifted.

MTN Irancell received ‘The Countrywide TDD-LTE License’ on 23 Aug 2015. The pilot phase was launched the next day in an event attended by Iranian ICT minister.

“1038 areas in the country, including 527 cities, enjoy MTN Irancell 3G network, while there are 4G coverage in 239 areas including 203 cities. This is just after less than 2 years of receiving the 3G and 4G license,.” Alireza Ghalambor Dezfouli, MTN Irancell CEO reiterated in the press conference of launching TDD-LTE in Mashhad.

He added that MTN Irancell broadband subscribers are now 17 million people while there are 25 million data subscribers in the network, increased by 50 percent during the last year and the increase of data usage per subscriber have gone 3.5 times higher.

“According to recent stats, GNP will increase by 38.1 and efficiency output by 1.3 percent as per 10 percent growth in broadband penetration rate.” Dezfouli said.

After presenting a short introduction about global ICT trends, MTN Irancell CEO emphasized that the company ‘has to’ continue investing in the Iranian ICT infrastructure according to global trends in order to fully satisfy the Iranian market demands.

Focusing on the newfound TDD-LTE technology, Dezfouli specified that MTN Irancell is launching the service after just a short period of time that it has been launched in the developed countries such as the US and Japan.

“Carefully observing the market and accurately recognizing real customer demands, MTN Irancell has strongly decided to expand investment in Iran’s broadband network and is therefore developing its fixed broadband network as well as mobile broadband.” Dezfouli added.

Mr. Dezfouli also explained about MTN Irancell TDD-LTE modems: “Our TDD-LTE modems include indoor modems for home and small office purposes and outdoor modems for big companies and public places and buildings.”

Subscribers can buy TDD-LTE service by going to MTN Irancell service centers or dealer shops, calling 600 call center or referring to MTN Irancell website.

Pointing to TDD-LTE packages, Dezfouli said that a collection of 1, 3, 6 and 12 month packages are offered and are available on MTN Irancell website, MyIrancell application and USSD codes. MTN Irancell CEO also expressed his hope to expand the TDD-LTE service to the remaining provinces in next weeks.