After a month-long blackout imposed on 8 January, Iran’s internet services are gradually coming back online, but the restoration is fragmented, leaving many citizens still disconnected.
Background to the Shutdown
Following a violent crackdown on nationwide protests, the Iranian government ordered a nationwide suspension of broadband and mobile data on 8 January. The move was intended to curb the flow of information, hinder coordination among demonstrators, and limit international scrutiny of the security forces’ response.
Partial Re‑connection Across the Country
By early February, major telecom operators have resumed limited services in Tehran and several provincial capitals. Fixed‑line broadband and 4G networks are functional in these urban hubs, allowing businesses, media outlets, and some residents to regain connectivity.
Conversely, many rural areas and smaller towns continue to experience either severely throttled speeds or complete outages. Reports from local NGOs indicate that infrastructure damage, coupled with ongoing government restrictions, hampers full restoration.
Government Controls Remain in Place
Even where the network is operational, authorities have imposed extensive filtering and surveillance. Access to social media platforms, messaging apps, and foreign news sites remains blocked or heavily throttled. Users report frequent disconnections when attempting to reach blocked services, suggesting that the regime is using the partial restoration to monitor online activity more effectively.
Impact on Citizens and the Economy
The uneven reconnection is affecting daily life and commerce. Small businesses that rely on e‑commerce and digital payments report lost revenue, while students and professionals struggle with limited access to educational resources and remote work tools.
Human‑rights organizations warn that the selective restoration could deepen the digital divide, marginalising already vulnerable populations and reinforcing state control over information flow.
International Response
Western governments and digital‑rights groups have condemned the initial shutdown as a violation of freedom of expression. Calls for the Iranian authorities to lift all restrictions and ensure universal internet access have intensified, with some nations threatening targeted sanctions against entities facilitating the censorship.
Outlook
Analysts predict that full restoration may take weeks or months, contingent on both technical repairs and the political calculus of the regime. Until the internet is universally available and unfiltered, Iranians will continue to navigate a fragmented digital landscape, relying on circumvention tools and informal networks to stay connected.
