Hashemi emphasized the development of the National Information Network seven times in his agenda but did not make any promises regarding the lifting of internet filtering.
The proposed agenda of Sattar Hashemi for the Ministry of Communications in the 14th government is based on three main strategies: ‘completing the National Information Network, developing the digital economy, and smartization.’ While Hashemi has not addressed the removal of filters on applications, he has promised to change the filtering approach through ‘regulatory reform and intervention methods.’
Forward to the National Information Network
In the section on challenges, several issues are highlighted, including “slow development of the National Information Network and limited success in activating fiber optic services, sanctions, and lack of a specific plan for developing the digital economy.”
Other challenges mentioned in Hashemi’s program include the absence of a unified command for managing the virtual space, violations of privacy, cumbersome regulations, the low share of the digital economy in the national economy, weaknesses in e-government services, and a shortage of skilled human resources.
Major Strategies
The overarching strategy of Hashemi’s program is to “leverage global knowledge and technology for advancing the digital economy and smart government through policy directions and executive actions.”
Hashemi’s policies and approaches for the ministry include “supporting equitable economic progress through information and communication technology, completing unfinished infrastructure projects with private sector participation, implementing several major national projects, activating the competitive advantage of the Islamic Republic in the region, establishing national sovereignty and protecting Islamic and Iranian values in cyberspace, and enhancing cyber power.”
Additional points include: “accelerating scientific and technological progress and innovation, transforming the administrative system and restructuring with a focus on smartization and achieving a smart government, promoting youth and succession planning in executive management, enhancing governance structures in cyberspace, harmonizing parallel structures, listening to the public, and addressing the demands and needs of the people and the ICT ecosystem.”
Six Main Action Areas
This former Deputy Minister of Communications summarizes his major plans and actions in six main areas: “development of communications and the National Information Network, development of smart government and application of new technologies in industries, development of the digital economy, support for content development and content services, development of the space industry, and development of smart postal services.”
Development of the National Information Network Based on Fiber Optics
The first action area focuses on developing the National Information Network infrastructure based on fiber optics, emphasizing maximum use of domestic equipment. Hashemi also promised to establish the Fiber Optics Development Fund, as mandated by the Seventh Development Plan, to help increase fiber subscribers.
The program also mentions improving connection speeds to “the global internet network and the National Information Network.”
Additionally, Hashemi’s plans include expanding mobile communications through 5G, countering sanctions, creating access for the general public on the National Information Network, and enhancing access to electronic services.
Development of Smart Government
Hashemi has promised to draft a smart government transformation plan and pursue “the creation, strengthening, and establishment of an integrated cloud infrastructure for the smart government.”
Other plans include eliminating redundant systems, reducing administrative bureaucracy, supporting the development of artificial intelligence applications in industries and agriculture, enhancing security, and fostering constructive interactions with the National Center and the Supreme Council of Cyberspace.
Development of the Digital Economy
In this program, Hashemi has proposed several actions for advancing the digital economy. The first mentioned action is “developing the strategic document for the Islamic Republic of Iran in cyberspace and the digital economy system document, focusing on popularizing the digital economy.”
“Implementing business development programs based on information and communication technology and artificial intelligence, creating a national platform for product and commodity distribution, establishing an international communications company, increasing the share of digital goods and services in GDP, boosting exports, supporting virtual stores and e-commerce, and developing the entertainment and gaming system to enrich leisure time in cyberspace” are other measures proposed by Sattar Hashemi for digital economy development.
While Hashemi only mentioned filtering once in the program, he did not address efforts to remove filters on applications. The planned actions include “reforming the filtering approach through regulatory changes and intervention methods, ex-post controls, discourse-building at elite levels and among the public, creating national consensus among reference groups, international negotiations, and digital economy-based strategies.”
Additionally, Hashemi plans to “realize service tariffs in the sector, commensurate with investments and the cost of services,” which could potentially involve increasing internet prices.
Support for Content Development
Hashemi’s proposed plan for the Ministry of Communications also discusses supporting content development in cyberspace. The program outlines several general actions, including: “supporting the production of local content and services, aiding the development of media systems in cyberspace, creating a safe and beneficial digital space for children and families, and advancing the content production economy and creating new economic models through revenue-sharing to encourage local content production.”
Space Industry
Hashemi has also made promises concerning the space industry. His plans include “increasing space systems, stabilizing lightweight satellites in the LEO layer, developing the economy of this sector, establishing national space launch bases, and creating ground stations.”
Development of Smart Postal Services
The final action area of this program addresses the development of smart postal services. This includes “updating IT infrastructure and using modern tools such as robots and drones in postal services, investing in the postal bank to support small digital businesses, utilizing synergies between mobile operators and the national postal company, and attracting investment in innovative postal services.”
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