Here’s a practical, step‑by‑step guide to choosing a mobile operator in Iran and what to check before you buy a SIM or plan.

Quick summary of the main operators

• MCI (Hamrah‑e Aval) — largest subscriber base and the broadest geographic/rural coverage. (mcigtex.com)
• MTN Irancell — strong data network (4G/4.5G/5G rollout), generally good speeds in cities. (en.Wikipedia.org)
• RighTel (RighTel) — smaller market share, positions itself with premium/digital services and some specialized plans (often targeted at younger users). (Medialandscapes.org)

Step‑by‑step: how to choose the best operator for you

1. Define your primary need

   • Voice calls (local/rural) → prioritize coverage.
   • Mobile internet (streaming, work, hotspots) → prioritize operator with best urban data speeds and 4G/5G availability.
   • Temporary visitor / tourist → pick operator with easy SIM activation and tourist packages.

2. Check coverage where you actually need it

   • Look at each operator’s coverage map for the city, highways, or rural area you’ll use. MCI usually has the widest rural reach; Irancell is strong in city data. (Coverage varies by region.) (mcigtex.com)

3. Compare data speeds and technology

   • If you need high mobile broadband speed or 5G, check which operator offers 4G/4.5G/5G in your city (Irancell and MCI have rolled out advanced LTE/5G in many urban areas). Verify device compatibility with their frequency bands. (FrequencyCheck.com)

4. Compare plans, pricing, and package types

   • Evaluate prepaid vs postpaid, daily/weekly/monthly internet bundles, included minutes/SMS, and out‑of‑bundle rates. Some operators bundle streaming or social apps. Check current promotions on operator sites or authorized shops. (mordorintelligence.com)

5. Practical matters: SIM registration, documents, and eSIM

   • Iran requires SIM registration with ID. For visitors, shops at airports or major operator stores often offer tourist SIM packages and help with activation. Check whether the operator supports eSIMs (growing but not universal). (visitouriran.com)

6. Payment, top‑up and customer support

   • If you’ll rely on mobile top‑ups, check available payment methods (local bank cards, apps, top‑up vouchers). Look at operator support channels and English help if you’re not Persian‑speaking. (mcigtex.com)

7. Device compatibility (important if you bring foreign phone)

   • Verify your phone supports the LTE/5G bands used in Iran (common LTE bands include 2600 MHz, 3500 MHz/N78 for 5G). If you need frequent roaming back to your home country, check dual‑SIM handling and roaming costs. (FrequencyCheck.com)

8. Local tips and safety

   • Buy SIMs from official stores or authorized resellers to avoid registration/activation problems. Keep the purchase receipt and packaged SIM details.
   • If you’ll travel remote roads, get a SIM from the operator with best rural/route coverage in that province (often MCI). (Medialandscapes.org)

What to do now (checklist)

• Look up operator coverage maps for the exact city/roads you’ll use. (Operator websites or third‑party coverage maps.) (mcigtex.com)
• Compare current prepaid tourist bundles or monthly data packages on operator sites or at airport shops. (visitouriran.com)
• Confirm your phone’s band compatibility (match device bands with operator LTE/5G bands). (FrequencyCheck.com)

If you want, I can:

• pull up coverage maps and current prepaid/tourist packages for a specific Iranian city you’ll be in (I’ll look up the latest offers and cite sources), or
• check whether your phone model supports the main Iranian LTE/5G bands.

(Notes: telecom conditions and promotions change frequently — if you need the latest prices or exact coverage for specific dates/places, I can fetch them now.)