Iran mobile operators MCI and MTN-Irancell have more than doubled price of their internet services. Rouhani admin is pressuring them to reverse the price hike which can curb Iranians' access to the internet. (Thread 1)
#KeepItOn #فیلترنت

As per the law Communication Regulatory Authority (CRA, which operates under the auspices of the ICT Ministry) sets prices for all communication services and ratifies price hikes. MCI and Irancell had filed requests with CRA for price hike permits — which CRA had rejected. (2)

CRA chief @hfallahj 2weeks ago: the price hike is an “infringement”, customers “must be reimbursed”, operators will be fined, bad time for increasing prices since #Covid19, lockdowns, and #remoteworking have increased reliance on internet services.
https://twitter.com/hfallahj/status/1279807550494519296?s=20

In a letter, Iran President Chief of Staff Vaezi called on the judiciary to take action against MCI, Irancell stating that the “100% price hike is illegal”.
The letter includes a line from President Rouhani: “Prices should not be increased arbitrarily. Take action.” (4)

The operators have been fined 20 billion rials ($80,000)—compare with their revenue: MCI net income was 38,190 billion rials during the fiscal year that ended in March 2019.
CRA's @hfallahj: There will be further penalties if operators don't reverse the price hike. (5)

Some have alleged that the price hike is part of a "Cultural Revolution" aimed at curbing Iranians access to the internet. Others have recently speculated the Islamic Republic is testing new online censorship tools. Evidence is yet to emerge. (6) #KeepitOn https://twitter.com/abed_tavanche/status/1284437485259374592?s=20

#NetNeutrality ?
Increasing prices, operators highlighted that using local services is 50% cheaper (nothing new). This has fueled speculation about a state plan for curbing the free flow of info.
Subsidizing local online services was announced in 2017.(7) https://www.isna.ir/news/96041608311

#NetNeutrality -- Additional info:
Here's a list of services that are hosted inside #Iran and using them is subsidized.
@ITOofIran which operates under ICT ministry has published the list.
#KeepItOn #فیلترنت
https://g2b.ito.gov.ir/index.php/site/page/view/list_ip