Due to the sanctions preventing[x] Western tech companies from investing in the country’s digital infrastructure, the Iranian state effectively possesses a sole monopoly on digital information services. In order to undermine international visibility and information transmission, the Iranian regime enacted an enforced internet blackout across regions of the country for a period of 4-6 days[xiii]. This attempted militarisation of the internet, in congruence with the isolated nature of the Iranian digital infrastructure, puts the population at the complete mercy of the regime. This paved the way for the introduction[xvii] of non-state actor Elon Musk’s Starlink technology into the fold. Starlink technology utilises low-orbiting satellites which interact with rooftop receivers to provide an alternative internet to the state-governed provider.

Source: Forbes January 12, 2023 10:46 UTC