According to IODA and other open data network measurement tools, February was a quiet month compared to January. This may be in part due to the fact that as Iran continues to work towards developing its National Information Network (NIN), many of these network measurement tools are no longer able to identify network problems. The issue of detection by measurement tools is especially relevant in relation to declining internet speeds often caused by intentional throttling, which many Iranian internet users complained about on social media in February.
Detecting throttling inside Iran relies mainly on feedback from internet users inside the country as well as some limited tools and tests inside the country. According to Filterwatch’s sources and measurements from 1 February, Instagram and WhatsApp – the few remaining international platforms not blocked in Iran – were disrupted due to the policy of Iranian authorities not to reissue the international bandwidth.
Data from Arvan Cloud’s Radar showed Instagram was disrupted on 1 February.
The disruption to Instagram occurred in three periods.
- The heaviest disruption that we observed was from 1 February through to17. During this time, Instagram was almost impossible to access among users in Iran.
- From 18 February through to the 27, disruptions were not as heavy but users still had major difficulty accessing Instagram. Even those who had uncensored access to the internet had difficulties accessing Instagram, which is unusual because even during internet shutdowns, those with unrestricted internet access can connect to services without any disruptions.
Most of these disruptions detailed below took place in the afternoon, and mainly between 2:00pm and 6:00pm local time in Iran.
Sample of speed test on an uncensored internet
3. Throttling appeared to lessen on 28 February compared to the rest of the month.
Regional Outages
According to IODA data Qom, Sistan and Baluchestan, Chahar Mahall and Bakhtiari, South Khorasan, Alborz, Ilam, Khuzestan, Markazi, Qazvin and Ardebil were experiencing disruptions. However, authorities have mostly not made any comments or clarifications about these instances.
Provider Outages
- AS57218 – RighTel
This AS serves the third biggest mobile network in Iran. The disruption on AS57218 primarily affected users in Tehran.
This is a nationwide internet provider. The disruptions on their network affected users in Tehran.
- AS60627 –Rayankadeh Apadana Company Ltd
This is an internet provider. The disruptions on their network affected users in Markazi.
- AS49847 –Pardazeshgar Ray Azma Co. Ltd.
This is an internet provider. The disruptions on their network affected users in Tehran.
- AS44400 – Ertebatat Sabet Parsian Co: a private sector consortium consisting of a total of 140 shareholders, who are among the leading individuals and companies providing communication and telecommunication services nationwide. Disruptions on AS31549 affected users Ilam, Fars, Khuzestan, and Tehran.
- AS58256 Rayaneh Gostar Farzanegan Ahwaz (the ISP RefahTec), a hosting and internet provider company in the city of Ahvaz, in Khuzestan Province. Disruptions on AS58256 affected users of Khuzestan.
- AS34078 TOSE’EH ERTEBATAT NOVIN ARIA CO PJS is a local ISP in Khuzestan. Disruptions on AS34078 affected users of Khuzestan.
