Iran restricts broadband speeds to 128Kbps

The Guardian's Web site ran a report Wednesday stating that Iran's government is restricting Internet download speeds in an effort to keep outside influences from undermining its Islamic culture among the younger generation.

Service providers have been told to restrict download speeds to 128Kbps (kilobits per second), the article said. This should make it more difficult for people to download foreign music and video from the Net.

Presumably upload speeds have also been limited, although the article didn't specify those speeds. Limiting upload capacity will make it more difficult for groups opposing the government or organizing protests to put information onto Web sites.

The restrictions on Internet speeds come after a crackdown on illegal satellite dishes, which millions of Iranians use to watch western television, the article said. Thousands of dishes have been seized in recent months.