Network data from the NetBlocks internet observatory confirm that connectivity has been restored with multiple fixed-line providers across much of Iran, allowing some users to get online via wifi. Current connectivity levels have risen to 64% after earlier flatlining at 5% for several days. Mobile internet remains largely unavailable.

The partial restoration has allowed a degree of information exchange following days of near-total isolation. However many regions remain offline, including parts of Tehran. Network measurements indicate that most social media remain blocked in line with long-running Iranian policy, although access is possible using VPN software.

The shutdowns began on Friday, 15 November amid protests against rising fuel prices. The disruptions progressed to a total internet blackout on Saturday, cutting off Iranians from the rest of the world.

Confirmed: Internet access is being restored in #Iran after a weeklong internet shutdown amid widespread protests; real-time network data show national connectivity now up to 64% of normal levels as of shutdown hour 163 📈📵#IranProtests #Internet4Iran 📰https://t.co/XQmiaOlRL7 pic.twitter.com/eimWEIEmrI — NetBlocks.org (@netblocks) November 23, 2019

Users had started to come on line the earlier evening and on Saturday morning, as certain networks became available:

Update: It's midday in #Iran where technically inclined users have been finding their way online through the #filternet this morning. National connectivity remains at just 22% but real-time network data show coverage has increased 📈#Internet4Iran 📰https://t.co/1Al0DT8an1 pic.twitter.com/M0yzprwL5v — NetBlocks.org (@netblocks) November 23, 2019

However most mobile internet users remain out of luck, as technical data show two of the three leading mobile operators remain offline as of Sunday noon:

In the 186th hour of #Iran's national internet shutdown, mobile connectivity remains scarce while fixed-line/wifi is still shut in several regions. Follow restoration with the new mobile connectivity estimation live chart 📈https://t.co/71lkPvV2e2#Internet4Iran #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/paWvrnFY2c — NetBlocks.org (@netblocks) November 24, 2019

At 5pm Sunday 24 November local time, MTN Irancell activated much of its cellular network, but users have found themselves with only limited access to domestic platforms without connectivity to the global internet:

The lights are on but who’s online? MTN #Irancell activated more of its cellular network at 5pm local time, but many mobile subscribers in #Iran report only having limited national services without connectivity to the global internet #filternet #Internet4Iran ⬇️ https://t.co/FGNXMcrhQK — NetBlocks.org (@netblocks) November 24, 2019

What was the extent of the internet shutdown?

On Friday afternoon, mobile and fixed-line outages were first identified in affected cities with Tehran, Mashhad, Shiraz and other cities showing signs of disruption. The outage was not total and the disruptions did not have national impact at the time of writing suggestive of geographic targeting.

Subsequently, the disruptions proceeded to a disconnection of all mobile networks followed by a near-total national internet blackout and partial shutdown of telephony services.

The disruption is the most severe recorded in Iran since President Rouhani came to power, and the most severe disconnection tracked by NetBlocks in any country in terms of its technical complexity and breadth.

See full shutdown report: Internet disrupted in Iran amid fuel protests in multiple cities

Methodology

NetBlocks diffscans, which map the IP address space of a country in real time, show internet connectivity levels and corresponding outages. Purposeful internet outages generally have a distinct network pattern used by NetBlocks to determine and attribute the root cause of an outage, a process known as attribution which follows detection and classification stages.

NetBlocks is a civil society group working at the intersection of digital rights, cyber-security and internet governance. Independent and non-partisan, NetBlocks strives for an open and inclusive digital future for all.