Today, Thursday, May 7, marks the 69th day of the international internet shutdown in Iran. According to NetBlocks, an organization that monitors global internet connectivity, residents in Iran have been deprived of international internet access for 1,632 hours.
The independent body confirmed that the blackout has led to massive job losses and the collapse of grassroots businesses. Furthermore, it has restricted economic opportunities primarily to those with close ties to the corridors of power. “Internet Pro,” or tiered internet access, has long been a method for the government to control connectivity. Currently, this access is being granted to select business owners and academics, who are forced to pay exorbitant fees to maintain a connection.
In light of these restrictions, the website Eghtesad News reports that a wide range of sectors – including stores, restaurants, cafes, educational centers, hair salons, pharmacies, and clinics – have been forced to revert to the outdated method of promotional SMS messaging. Previously, a source told IranWire that many journalists, unable to access the internet or international email services, have resorted to sending their reports to newsrooms manually via couriers.
The author of the report describes this shift as a “forced market regress,” noting: “This isn’t just a return to an old marketing tool; it is a portrait of a forced market retreat in an era where the internet had evolved from an ‘extra’ feature into a vital business infrastructure.”
The report shows how this trend directly threatens the livelihoods of citizens:
 
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