Telegram to discuss its audio service with mobile operators

Telegram, the most popular instant messaging App in Iran, has recently launched its voice services in Europe. Although, it may not be available in Iran.

“Offering of this service must be evaluated so as not to damage the working of network operators”, said the Minister of Communications and IT, Mahmoud Vaezi, regarding free audio calls in Telegram.

Iran is one of the largest Telegram’s markets. The latest statistics show that it has over 24 million users across the country.

However, it remains unclear whether audio services of Telegram could be provided in Iran or not. Since, other than the cost of internet data, Telegram audio calls are free, similar to WhatsApp, this service can severely reduce the income of network operators or mobile service providers.

The Ministry of Communications has left the network operators and telegram to reach an agreement on their own: “We are trying to reach an agreement to satisfy the users as well as the network operators. Of course, if due to financial reasons and not political ones, based on investments, a network operator decides they are unwilling to allow an application to provide audio services on their networks; this is their internal choice and we cannot force them.”

The Minister of Communication said that in the last two years, network operators have invested 200 billion IRR ($6.1m) to develop 3G and 4G networks. These investors must find a solution with Telegram themselves.

Even though WhatsApp has been offering audio calls for quite some time, this service is still unavailable in Dubai. Audio calls in WhatsApp are available in Iran. However, since the number of WhatsApp users is much lower than Telegram users, it is not considered a threat to network operators. WhatsApp has around 14 million users in Iran.

Source: Ministry of ICT, National Centre for Cyberspace