The Iranian Minister of Information and Communication Technology Seyed Sattar Hashemi on Saturday launched 710 projects in East Azerbaijan Province with a total investment value of US dollars 58 million.
Local provincial officials, ICT deputy ministers as well as
members of the parliament were present in the ceremony in which Hashemi inaugurated
the infrastructure and development projects
across Iran’s northwestern province which is bordering Armenia and
Republic of Azerbaijan.
The projects were launched to implement the objectives of
government of President Masoud Pezeshkian in communication and digital
infrastructure in the fields of rural development, fiber optics, mobile phones,
post, and space technologies.
In the rural communications development sector, 173 projects
were implemented by connecting 183 villages through the launch of 89 new sites
and upgrading 84 mobile phone stations to high-speed internet. They were
implemented with the aim of achieving communication justice and expanding the
coverage of communication services in under-developed areas.
The Telecommunication Company of Iran implemented 121
projects to connect homes and businesses to the fiber optic network in 6 cities
of the province. They include installing and commissioning of telecommunications
equipment, developing and optimizing the network, and providing a high-capacity
communication platform for users.
In the field of mobile network development, the Iran Mobile
Communications Company launched 7 fifth-generation stations and upgraded 220
second- to fourth-generation stations by implementing 227.
The Irancell Mobile Company put 152 projects into operation,
including launching new third- and fourth-generation stations, expanding its coverage
at Yadegar Imam Stadium in Tabriz, and 7 fifth-generation stations.
RighTel Communication Services Company expanded its network
in the cities of Tabriz, Basmenj, Sahand, Marand and Mianeh by implementing 11
projects and connected homes and businesses in Mianeh to fiber optics.
Mobinnet Company also implemented 6 projects connecting
homes and businesses to the fiber optic network in 6 cities across the
province, including Ahar, Maragheh, Heris, Khajeh, Hashtroud and Basmenj.
In post sector, 3 projects were launched. These include the
operation of a smart sorting machine with the participation of the private
sector, the improvement and increase of the operational space of the acceptance
and distribution units in Tabriz city, and the launch of a 24-hour counter for
the delivery of post packages. Two new branches of Post Bank of Iran were also launched
in Heris and Khoda Afarin.
In addition, in the field of space technology, 8 projects
focusing on the design, development, and testing of space thrusters were
inaugurated.
The projects launched in East Azarbaijan Provine are a giant
step toward developing communication justice, increasing the quality of
services, expanding access to high-speed internet, and realizing the goals of
the for developing the country's digital economy.
During his visit to the provincial capital Tabriz, Hashemi also
met local officials and took part in the meeting of the province’s executive council
reviewing the ICT status in the northwestern province of East Azarbaijan.
ashemi also met with representatives of the knowledge-based
companies and said the province's neighboring countries are an opportunity for
its presence in international markets and emphasized the need to remove
financial barriers and facilitate the investment process.
At the end of the meeting, four major agreements were
signed, including the launch of a data center in the Maku Free Zone, the
establishment of an ICT Park in the province's ICT complex, the compilation of
a document for the development of the digital economy, and cooperation with the
Urmia University.
At the meeting of the Provincial Administrative Council, the
ICT minister inaugurated 181 projects including the development of a fiber
optic network, improving high-speed internet coverage in villages and cities,
the launch of mobile phone stations, and the development of a
telecommunications transmission network.
Also 48 infrastructure projects were inaugurated, including
the petrochemical development plan, water supply and gas supply projects to
villages.
Speaking at the Provincial Administrative Council, Hashemi
said that Digital Iran scheme is a path to empowering the young generation and
added, “Teaching digital skills to students and elites of the province provides
the basis for their active participation in the digital economy.”
The ICT minister also started the groundbreaking ceremony
for construction of a data center in the Maku Free Zone and the participation
of the private sector in a 1,500-megawatt solar power plant, which are expected
to increase the province's capacity in the field of digital content and the
export of technological services.