Iran Introduces “Pro Internet” for Businesses as Tiered Access Becomes Official

Public internet access in Iran has become increasingly unreliable amid recent nationwide shutdowns, filtering, and prolonged disruptions. At the same time, a parallel track is emerging, one designed not for the general public but for a defined group of users.

Documents reviewed by Digiato indicate that a plan titled “Organizational Stable Internet,” also branded as “Pro Internet,” has been placed on the agenda of telecom operators. They have been instructed to offer this service to commercial users.

The initiative signals a formal move toward differentiated access. While public connectivity remains unstable, a paid and restricted channel promises stable access to the global internet for selected business customers.

According to the documents, the service guarantees continued international connectivity even “under special conditions and international internet disruptions.” It explicitly promises full access to global platforms, tools, and websites so businesses can maintain operations.

The rollout reportedly began with Hamrah-e Aval, Iran’s largest mobile operator, with other operators expected to follow. Sources suggest operators were not the primary decision makers behind the initiative.

Policy Response to Shutdown Fallout

Unofficial information obtained by Digiato suggests that following severe internet disruptions in January and February, trade associations and digital economy groups held meetings with senior decision making bodies and high level officials.

Business representatives reportedly highlighted the economic damage caused by prolonged outages. The outcome was not a structural reform of public internet policy, but the design of a separate access channel labeled as “essential internet” for businesses. Its stated purpose is to prevent economic collapse, particularly among internet based companies, in the event of future shutdowns.

Rather than ensuring stable connectivity for all users, policymakers appear to have opted for a segmented model, granting reliable access only to those who meet defined criteria.

Open Internet, But at a Price

The service is neither universal nor free. According to the documents, the activation fee is 19.8 million rials per subscriber, rising to 21.78 million rials including value added tax. Traffic related to filtered websites and services is priced at approximately 400,000 rials per gigabyte.

In practical terms, internet access that is restricted or blocked for ordinary users becomes a purchasable commodity under this model. Open access is framed not as a universal right, but as a premium service.

Technical details also reference the use of a “sanctions bypass service,” effectively confirming that the connection circumvents restrictions imposed on the public internet. This access does not require VPN tools. Instead, it provides direct and officially sanctioned connectivity to global networks.

Controlled Enrollment and Identity Verification

Enrollment appears straightforward on paper. A registered business can subscribe and then request activation for any number of individuals it designates. A centralized system allows businesses to manage lists of phone numbers, whether belonging to individuals or legal entities.

However, activation is tightly controlled. The process includes national ID and phone number verification through the Shahkar system, authentication via the government’s “MyGov” platform or civil registration databases, and in some cases linking phone numbers to bank accounts.

These layers suggest that anonymity is not part of the model. Access is traceable and limited to verified users.

Technical eligibility is also selective. Requirements include an active SIM card, no service suspension, specific APN settings, and predefined configuration parameters. Together, these conditions draw a clear line between public internet and privileged access, regardless of the branding.

Tiered Internet No Longer Implicit

The broader picture is clear. Instead of restoring stable connectivity for all users, authorities are formalizing a dual track system: reliable global access for a defined and paying group, and unstable, filtered access for the wider public.

The core issue is not whether businesses require dependable internet. It is whether the solution to repeated shutdowns should be selling unrestricted access to a subset of users rather than revisiting the restrictive policies affecting everyone else.

Documents reviewed by Digiato suggest that tiered internet access in Iran is no longer a theoretical concern. It is a structured policy direction now moving into implementation.