Stating that for the very first time we are witnessing longitudinal objectives in development plan, he added: “Today, through development of 3G and 4G high-capacity networks, we are witness to transformation of ICT environment in our country.”
Stating that the demand market is the driving engine behind progress in this sector, Jahangard went on to say: “The Iranian administrative structure is such that most organizations act individually.”
He underlined the fact that our very behavior in the ICT sector signifies a 20 to 30 year gap between us and the present-day world, adding that: “Undoubtedly, at least half of our 8 percent program must be supplied from the knowledge and science sector, where ICT is the stimulus.”
Jahangard pointed out that we just have to clarify our position regarding training, education, industry and content property, including that: “The models of other nations can provide us with useful experiences in ICT sector.”
The ICT Deputy Minister emphasized that: “Content which does not change into a service will find no add value and will simply go into storage.”
Stating that research activities are either knowledge oriented or service oriented, he said: “This document is a rotation effect which we have to observe its revolutionary effects within our society.”
The secretary of the Information Technology Supreme Council also expressed that: “In the 6th development program, 7 articles are directly addressing ICT issues, but there are also 40 others based on ICT’s revolutionary effects.”
In the continuation of the meeting, Mousavian, representative of the Culture and Islamic Guidance Ministry, suggested that the Services Committee’s name be changed to Content Committee, administrated by Ministry of Culture.
Later on, Dr. Mehdi Akhavan Behabadi, Deputy of the IRIB, stating that from a legal point of view no separate budget line has been specified for ICT sector in Iran, included that: “The current situation is the perfect opportunity to attempt the preparation of a regulation draft for ICT Industry, because until the ICT economy is centralized, there will be no results.”
Akhavan continued: “Regarding internet speed, we still have not achieved customer satisfaction; and if the issue of internet speed is taken care of, the private sector will flood the market with content and various services.”
Then, Firoozabadi commented that industry and ICT are very close to each other, adding that: “We are in need of a reasonable and appropriate interaction between cultural and educational concerns on one side and new technologies on the other; since slumber and incoherence in this area will worry the people.”
Also, Dr. Siroos Alidoosti, representative of Science Ministry, emphasized on paying attention to scientific, research and technological content alongside general content, including that: “In finalizing the 6th development plan it is necessary to consider both the practical and the supportive aspects of ICT for the country.”
He underscored the importance of abiding to copyright laws and legal organization for development of all types of content and applications, and included that: “Information policies, free access to information, and ownership of student thesis are all topics where some doubts linger and since the owner is not clear, accessing them will also not be possible.”
In this session, Dr. Bahrami, Head of Iranian Space Agency, stressed that: “We are facing a shortage of policymaking and supervision in communication industry and we suggest that a guidance council is established in this sector of the industry, supervised by the ICT Ministry.”
Also, Eng. Nademi, deputy of Infrastructure Affairs, affiliated to the Deputy of Strategic Planning and Control of the President’s Office, said that: “Last version of the 6th development plan draft is already prepared, and it refers to 15 upper-hand documents which are more attentive of science and technology topics.”
He continued by saying: “The Minister of ICT, in addition to being a member of ICT Planning Council, also attends three other councils covering educational, research, technological, financial and commercial services topics.”
Nademi underlined that: “In the industry sector, if there are suggestions presented during these sessions, it is possible to also state these requirements as a member of other executive bodies, if the need arises.”
Nademi continued: “Another venue for stating and presenting these suggestions is the Integration Council.”
At the conclusion of the meeting, Amidian stressed on Digital Economy, including that: “During these sessions, suggestions and ideas should be freely expressed.”