Iran launches a ‘national Internet network’

Iranian authorities have announced the completion of the first phase of its plan to operate a ‘national Internet network’. Iranian media reports describe the initiative as being aimed to offering high quality, high speed connections, at low cost, while operating domestically and independently from all other networks in the world. BBC explains that the government’s declared goals is to create an isolated domestic intranet that can be used to promote Islamic content and raise digital awareness among the public, while making it easier to combat cyber-threats. In the initial phase, the project will involve the provision of access to e-government services and domestic web pages. A second phase, to be completed by February 2017, will add domestic video content, while a third phase, due in March 2017, will introduce additional services and provide support for companies involved in international trade.