State-backed Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI) has been ordered to open up its fibre-optic networks to its rivals in an effort to improve access to high speed services. A report from the Financial Tribune cites telecoms minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi as saying: ‘TCI has agreed to share its infrastructure with private businesses. Henceforth, all private ISPs can offer services through TCI’s fibre-optic network.’
TCI has deployed fibre infrastructure in parts of Tehran and several other cities, but has so far refused to share it with its competitors. The minister says that a network rolled out by the incumbent using public funds should be available to all providers, allowing end-users to access fibre services through an ISP other than TCI. Only one other ISP – IranianNet, which is backed by MTN of South Africa – has been granted permission to begin deploying FTTx networks in Iran’s cities.