Page 57 - IRANRptDec20

Local discount brands including Canbo, Ofogh Koorosh (OK) and Haft (7) have nevertheless continued to grow on the Iranian market.
Canbo and Ofogh Koorosh have led the charge against foreign market entrants, securing long leases in several locations in Tehran and elsewhere. By selling local brands – foreign products outnumber local products 10-to-1 – and especially their own brands, these local retailers can drive down prices. France’s Carrefour (under the Hyperstar brand) has been present in Iran for a decade, operating large and medium sized supermarkets.
9.2.6​ TMT corporate news
Iran starts roll out of 5G mobile connectivity
Iran’s two largest mobile network operators, MTN-Irancell and Mobile Communications of Iran (MCI), have started a rollout of a fifth generation (5G) mobile network in Tehran, ITMEN magazine has reported. MTN-Irancell’s first 5G mast is seen at the Communication and Information Technology Research Institute located on Kargar street in central Tehran. It was placed there in cooperation with the telecommunications ministry. Other areas of the capital will see 5G antennae installed gradually over the next few months by both operators.
The rollout forms part of a push by the government to spearhead the digitisation of state services and grow Iran’s technology sector despite the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis now into its third wave in the country.
MCI said it was in the process of localising equipment needed for the 5G rollout.
Several new 5G masts are to be put into operation in Tehran and other cities in the next few weeks.
5G in Iran is being introduced in cooperation with unnamed Chinese telecommunications companies; Huawei equipment is being used, according to reports on the ground.
On November 2, Mehdi Akhavan Bahabadi, CEO of MCI, said at a launch introducing 5G mobile applications in the country that several deals between higher education institutions and the operator have been signed to develop apps locally.
Bahabadi referred to a memorandum signed with Sharif University Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences to bring forward health-based apps and other 5G-based technologies.
Vahid Shahmansouri, deputy director of the 5G roll-out at MCI, said "We are operating in three important phases. Firstly, there is the field of localisation, which includes the current and future needs of mobiles with various technologies, including 2G, 3G and 4G,” he said.
He added: “We are active in localising current equipment and next generation networks."
MCI has opted to use frequency range 1 at 3.5-gigahertz (GHz) (sub 6-Ghz), as part of its process, in line with peers in other countries including South Korea.
In July, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the 5G network launch was “good news”, adding that it represented a significant chance for people to become familiar with how to use new super-fast internet connections.
57​ IRAN Country Report December 2020 www.intellinews.com