  As the most prominent representative of 4G, Long term evolution (LTE)
technology has become a focal point for mobile network operators all over the
world. However, although Iranian main operators like MCI and Irancell have
hugely invested on deployment of this technology, its diffusion has been very
slow with a penetration rate of 0.06 at the end of spring 2017. Nevertheless,
if this rate doesn't increase, it will yield some negative unintended
consequences for telecom operators such as (I) Failure to provide a large
number of high quality services (II) Inability to compete with OTT technologies
(III) Loss of many revenue opportunities (IV) Prolongation of payback period
and (V) The lack of technological integrability with fifth generation networks
(5G) and loss of many IOT opportunities. Through discussing the literature of
technology adoption and diffusion both generally and specifically, identifying
the major limitations of these studies and establishing a comprehensive factor
set based on four major groups of (I) mobile handset and operators-related
factors (II) subscribers-related biological factors, (III) subscribers-related
perceptual factors and (IV) subscribers-related contextual factors, a novel
fuzzy DEMATEL model has been developed by which all ICT policy makers can not
only get a clear knowledge of factors influencing technology adoption but also
know the critical success factors (CSFs) influencing Iranians' mindsets towards
LTE adoption. Therefore, they can make effective and actionable policies to
scale up LTE diffusion or other ICT-related technologies throughout the
society.
