Mobile network ecosystem
According to data referring to the period between September 2017 and September 2018, the mobile operating system market share of the Islamic Republic of Iran is as follows: 89.19 percent Android, 10.09 percent iOS, 0.16 percent Windows, 0.15 percent Nokia, 0.14 percent Linux, 0.07 unknown. Despite US sanctions, Apple devices are available in Iran. The scarce presence of Apple in the statistics above might be due to the fact that in 2017 the American company removed several popular Iranian apps from its app stores due to US sanctions against Iran. Amongst the apps concerned are Snapp (a ride-hailing app like Uber) and Delion Foods (a food delivery service).
When it comes to technology, many products are imported, including from the US. This is the case of Mac computers as well as iPhones, which are imported via a third country such as the UAE and Azerbaijan. Needless to say, such expensive items are bought by a small minority, meaning those who can afford them. Since these items are smuggled into Iran, no data is available.
Pricewise, one week of Internet with RighTel costs 170.00 Rial, that is €1.30, as per information gathered by the author in November 2018. However, the devaluation of the Rial makes it difficult to provide a clear picture of the tariff situation in the country. According to Numbeo (the biggest database on the cost of living), one minute of prepaid local mobile tariff is IRR 658.46, without discounts or a plan. However, tariffs are often changing and, for instance, according to Expatistan, one minute of prepaid mobile tariff (no discount, no plans) costs IRR4.622. More information on prepaid sim cards can be found on Wikia.com and on the Internet pages of one of the main providers, Irancell.ir. Iranian daily newspapers often cover the issue of costs of mobile phones and Internet connection.