Internet starts coming back in Iran after months-long blackout

"Access is not universally back to its original state, with some regional variation," said the global internet tracker’s research director Isik Mater on Tuesday.She added that there were signs of "more extensive filtering" than prior to January - when a similar blackout was imposed during the regime's deadly crackdown on anti-government protests - "including additional restrictions to messaging apps like WhatsApp"."This means families may still struggle to contact loved ones for the time being."Mater said: "Historically, each time internet access has been restored after an internet shutdown in Iran it has come back with heavier restrictions and tighter controls."When the US and Iranian attacks started and internet access was cut off, Iran had only enjoyed full access to the outside world for only about a month following the January shutdown.Some Iranians have sought to get around the restrictions using methods like expensive virtual private networks and smuggling satellite technology into the country.After a ceasefire was agreed on 8 April, a so-called "internet pro" scheme was introduced by the Iranian government - a premium tier for businesses and professionals, offering higher-quality access for a fee and subject to identity verification.