Iran’s Copper-to-Fiber Network Overhaul: 24-Hour Service Interruption Limit Announced

The Communications Regulatory Commission, in session number 364 on October 21, 2025, approved the 'Guidelines for Determining the Requirements and Conditions for Converting Iran Telecommunication Company's Copper Wire Access Network to a Fiber Optic Access Network.'

Iran Telecommunication Company must announce a one-year implementation schedule for the requested city, village, or telecommunications center, specifying the region, to the organization and other license holders.

The company is also required to notify the organization, other license holders, and subscribers at least three months before implementing the conversion in each area. This announced plan will be added to the company's license as execution and development commitments.

Subscriber Notifications

The notification to subscribers with contracts with other license holders must include the 'possibility of continuation or receipt of service from other license holders' and be approved by the regulatory organization. According to this resolution, other license holders wishing to receive wholesale services from Iran Telecommunication Company in the announced areas must submit their request to the company within a maximum of one month from the company's announcement.

Iran Telecommunication Company is obliged to conclude a wholesale contract with other license holders within one month of receiving the request, prioritizing those with current contracts with subscribers. Furthermore, Iran Telecommunication Company must ensure the possibility of receiving data services from other license holders, including the current license holder providing service to the subscriber before the conversion, at the subscriber's request and within a wholesale contract framework approved by the organization.

Service Continuity

Iran Telecommunication Company must notify subscribers about the exact conversion time and service disruption details at least two weeks before implementation. The company is also required to establish a system for recording the conversion process with online access for the Communications Regulatory and Radio Organization. Another requirement is that subscriber phone numbers must be preserved during the conversion.

The maximum allowable service disruption time for subscribers during the conversion is set at 24 hours. The conversion for national emergency three-digit codes must occur without disrupting the center's performance and service interruption. It should be done for national public service three-digit codes and important center numbers in the shortest possible time, between 2 to 5 AM.

Post-Conversion Requirements

Iran Telecommunication Company is required to ensure uninterrupted service for subscribers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week after the conversion. They must take necessary measures and provide backup power (diesel generator) for active fiber optic network equipment up to the building's entry point to maintain service stability during power outages.

The conversion, connection, and subscriber communication must emphasize continuing the voice and/or data service provided before the conversion without imposing any hardware or software costs on the subscriber. Iran Telecommunication Company must provide the possibility of offering IP-based fixed telephone services and high-speed internet services independently or jointly on the fiber optic network for subscribers.

In cases where the subscriber's need is solely for voice service, Iran Telecommunication Company must provide the voice service independently and with suitable quality without requiring the purchase of an internet package. However, the provision of these services (without data) will not be eligible for connection incentives.