The Minister of Information and Communications Technology Seyed Sattar Hashemi has stressed accelerating implementation of rural ICT projects, ensuring that performance indicators reflect actual conditions, removing obstacles to equipment procurement, and leveraging the capacities of other government agencies to achieve communications equity.
He made the statement in a weekly
meeting on Thursday to oversee the performance of the ICT Ministry’s affiliated
bodies and projects’ implementation which was dedicated to review the Universal
Service Obligation (USO) rural communications development plan.
The meeting reviewed the
implementation of the plan, progress in connecting villages with more than 20
households to the National Information Network, and obstacles to achieving the
objectives of the Seventh National Development Plan.
Hashemi expressed appreciation
for the measures taken to expand rural communications, stating “The measures
implemented and the achievements made in this area are commendable. However,
project implementation must continue with determination, and accelerating the
programs—particularly those aimed at connecting the remaining villages—must be
a priority.”
Referring to the importance of
developing communications infrastructure in rural areas, he added “Our ultimate
goal is not simply to expand infrastructure. We must ensure that rural
residents have access to reliable, high-quality communications services that
meet their needs.”
“Therefore, project progress must
be pursued with a results-oriented approach, and the measures taken must lead
to tangible improvements in people’s access.”
Ensuring Accurate Statistics and
Indicators
The ICT Minister emphasized the
need for performance statistics to reflect the actual state of services in
rural areas.
“Reported statistics on rural
communications development must provide an accurate and realistic picture of
people’s access. Merely connecting a village or recording implementation
progress is not, by itself, an indication of service quality.”
“The reliability of connections,
quality of access, and people’s ability to effectively use communications
services must also be taken into account in evaluations,” he noted.
“Evaluation indicators must be
defined and reported in a way that clearly distinguishes between the physical
progress of projects and the actual quality of services delivered to the
public. This approach will support more accurate decision-making, help identify
weaknesses, and ensure that subsequent measures are better targeted.”
Collaboration with Government
Agencies
Referring to resource constraints
and the need for cooperation among government bodies, Hashemi stated “Rural
communications development should not rely solely on the capacities and
resources of the ICT Ministry.”
“We must make use of the
capabilities of government agencies and national institutions and create
opportunities for their participation in providing resources and facilitating
project implementation.”
He added: “Some of the obstacles
to expanding communications in rural areas can be addressed through interagency
coordination and by drawing on the legal, financial, and budgetary capacities
of other government bodies.”
“Therefore, the plan’s challenges
and requirements must be clearly identified, and effective engagement with the
relevant agencies must be pursued to resolve them.”
Supporting Domestic Production
Hashemi further reiterated the
importance of supporting domestic manufacturing capabilities and removing
obstacles to project implementation.
“Supporting domestic production
is essential, and we must use the capabilities of local manufacturers to supply
the equipment required for rural communications development. However, in cases
where the required equipment has no domestically manufactured equivalent, a
flexible approach suited to the circumstances must be adopted.”
He added: “Obstacles to equipment
procurement must not become a cause of project delays or prevent us from
meeting established targets. While supporting domestic production, the
necessary solutions for procuring equipment on time must also be pursued in
accordance with applicable rules and regulations, ensuring that implementation
proceeds without interruption.”
Preparing Comprehensive Report
for Submission to Cabinet
In another part of the meeting,
the Minister emphasized the need to prepare a comprehensive report on the
performance of the rural communications development plan.
“A comprehensive report must be
prepared covering the measures taken, the plan’s achievements, the extent to
which its objectives have been met, existing challenges, and future
requirements. This will provide the Cabinet with a clear, evidence-based picture
of the state of rural communications development.”
Hashemi added: “In addition to
outlining progress, the report must precisely identify the obstacles and
requirements for accelerating project implementation.”
“By clearly explaining these
needs and leveraging the capacities of other government agencies, we can
facilitate the achievement of the Seventh National Development Plan’s
objectives and advance communications equity.”