Iran’s first encounter with 3G technology chastised by Fatwa

Four grand ayatollahs issued a fatwa that strips Iran’s third mobile phone operator from its rights to use a new 3G mobile internet operator.

The fatwa was issued towards Iran’s mobile service provider, Rightel, which enables customers to use video calling and multi-media messaging technology. The service uses 3G technology which is Iranian’s first encounter with telecommunication expansion.

Iran’s conservative parliament and the four grand ayatollahs are working on shutting down the 3G operator. Ayatollah Alavi Gorghani said providing this technology to the public would inflict damages on the country’s political and religion systems. Another ayatollah said the 3G service Rightel is leading to corruption of Iranians rather than benefiting them.

“It will cause new deviances in our society, which is unfortunately already plagued with deviances,” said ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi.
Residents of Qom, a religious city in Iran, signed a petition against Rightel on Feb. 10, the 34th anniversary of the Islamic Republic accusing the phone company of facilitating “access to sin and decadence”.

Despite what the Iranian government labels Rightel’s 3G service, citizens in Iran are delighted to experience the speedy internet.