Iran ready for telecoms partnerships: Minister

Pointing to Iran’s strategic location in establishing East-West and South-North connections, Va’ezi said in an address to the World Telecommunication Development Conference in Dubai that the Islamic Republic was committed to facilitating the establishment of partnerships for ultra broadband corridors across Iran.

He also extended an invitation to “all interested parties to become partners through investment and collaboration in such projects.”

More than 1,600 delegates are in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, to discuss the future of broadband connectivity as part of the sixth International Telecommunications Union (ITU) conference, which is held every four years.

Under the theme of “Broadband for Sustainable Development,” the two-week conference, which began Sunday at the Dubai World Trade Centre, will focus on the development priorities and strategies for growth in information and communication technologies (ICT).

During his address, the Iranian minister proposed that the ITU-D (development), in its work program for the next four-year period, “establishes a framework through which the potentials of broadband ICT can be harnessed to foster sustainable development by creating grass-root employment.”

He further expressed disappointment that despite growing global efforts to develop broadband infrastructures and services, there are still widening disparities that “divide nations and communities in a manner that impedes human progress and degrades human dignity.”

“We also believe that ignoring cultural values leads to alienation and indifference of the very same people whose well-being and prosperity were to be furthered via ICT development,” Va’ezi added.

He also called on “high-income and highly advanced countries” to offer urgent assistance “connecting remote and under-served communities around the world.”

HK