Iran · Telecom, Internet & Apps

Irancell

Get mobile, data and fixed wireless internet from Iran's second-largest mobile operator, majority Iranian-owned with a South African technology partner.

What it helps with

Data right after landingAirport counters.
An Iranian number for appsSMS codes.
Signal outside citiesCoverage.

About Irancell

Irancell launched service on 21 October 2006 in Tehran, Tabriz and Mashhad after winning the license to become Iran's second mobile operator, ending the previous monopoly held by state-owned Telecommunication Company of Iran. The company is majority-owned (51%) by Iran Electronic Development Company (IEDC), with South Africa's MTN Group holding the remaining 49% stake as its technology and operating partner. Irancell went on to launch Iran's first 4G LTE network in nine cities in December 2014, later added early 5G service in Tehran, and today serves more than 50 million subscribers, making it one of the country's largest companies by revenue.

Key Features

Nationwide Network: Access 2G, 3G, 4G, 4.5G and expanding 5G coverage across Iranian cities and many rural areas.
Fixed Wireless Internet: Get home internet via TD-LTE fixed wireless service in areas without wired broadband infrastructure.
My Irancell App: Manage your account, check data usage, top up prepaid balance and pay postpaid bills through Irancell's official app.
SIM Options: Choose between prepaid and postpaid plans depending on usage needs and length of stay.

How to Get Started

Visit an Irancell store, authorized dealer, or irancell.ir to choose a plan.
Provide a national ID (for residents) or passport (for visitors) to register a SIM, as required by Iranian telecom regulation.
Activate your SIM and top up if using a prepaid plan.
Manage your account and monitor usage through the My Irancell app.

Before you use it

Sign-up: Foreigners buy a Irancell tourist SIM with a passport at Imam Khomeini Airport or official shops.
Limits: Many foreign websites and apps are blocked in Iran, including several messengers and social networks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Irancell work with a foreign bank card in Iran?: Not reliably - a foreign card may be declined. Check the notice above, or plan to use a local payment method.
Is Irancell available in English?: Not officially - the interface is mainly in the local language.
Do I need a local phone number to use Irancell?: No, an international phone number generally works for Irancell.
Do I need local ID or residency for Irancell?: No, Irancell doesn't require local ID or residency for visitors.
Where can I use Irancell?: iOS · Android · Web
How much does Irancell cost?: Tourist SIMs at airports; cheap data packs