By John Lee.
Italian connectivity services provider Sparkle has announced the expansion of its network footprint to Iraq with the opening of a new Point of Presence (PoP) in Erbil, in cooperation with Novel Point, an Iraqi international provider of connectivity and ICT solutions.
According to a press release:
"The PoP in Erbil leverages Novel Point's cutting edge open data center and Sparkle's Tier 1 global IP backbone Seabone (AS6762) to deliver top-notch Internet connectivity services to the Iraqi market as well as to neighboring countries.
"By connecting to Sparkle's PoP in Erbil, network providers, ISPs, OTTs, content and application providers as well as enterprises can benefit from reliable, low latency IP Transit services in scalable multiples ranging from 10 GB to 100 GB. In addition, customers can gain access to Sparkle's comprehensive IP portfolio including DDoS Protection - that grants customers the option to self-protect their networks from attacks - and Virtual NAP - which provides virtual access to leading Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) without the need to build proprietary infrastructure."
Sparkle, part of Telecom Italia (TIM), develops optic-fiber fixed-line network infrastructure internationally.
Novel Telecom is a joint venture between DIL Technology and Horizon Technology, established in 2021 to provide international connectivity and ICT solutions in Iraq.
(Source: Sparkle)
Australian Engineer Robert Pether was trapped, unlawfully arrested and imprisoned in Iraq over 1000 days ago. He was arrested by the Prime Minister of Iraq security forces and there was never a warrant. He is being used as a HOSTAGE in a dispute between his EMPLOYER and the Central Bank of Iraq. The Central Bank of Iraq is a Government entity and the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq is a political position. Robert is a state sponsored hostage.
The UN ARBITRARY DETENTION WORKING GROUP published a damning report in March 2023 (opinion number 70/2021) calling for Robert's immediate unconditional release and highlighting MULTIPLE violations of human rights and international law. This has been blatantly ignored by Iraq.
The ICC ruled completely in Robert's EMPLOYER'S favour in February 2023 and found Central Bank of Iraq GUILTY in this case.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/dominicdudley/2023/06/08/iraqi-central-bank-ordered-to-pay-13-million-in-row-over-unpaid-bills-for-new-hq