Yusef Jalali
Press TV, Tehran
TELECOM is a major ICT exhibition in Iran that brings together both private and state actors in Information and Communication Technology to showcase their products and services.
After a limited edition last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the annual event has this year opened its doors to all domestic tech companies to participate. When it comes to ICT, any advancement affects all other industries.
The emergence of the 5G network, for example, was a game changer for surgical operations, allowing tele-surgeries to be conducted seamlessly and with higher precision, like this newly unveiled Iranian-made robotic surgeon called Sina, which uses 5G to allow a remote surgery to be carried out.
For sanctions-hit Iran, it's not an easy task to catch up with modern trends in the ICT. However, the government says it has tripled its allocated budget for the ICT this year, to encourage local firms to push the industry forward and promote what it refers to as digital economy.
The government says it is also trying to capitalize on venture capital funds and accelerators to move the ICT sector forward. In recent years, an increasing number of sponsoring firms have turned to this area to support innovative ideas and lead them to the market; the results of which remain to be seen in the years to come.
The ICT sector in Iran is among the hardest hit by US sanctions, but the country says it views any challenge as an opportunity. Officials say this expo gives a small picture of how Iran's ICT has thrived under pressure and tried to keep abreast of the fast growing trend in the world.