The latest Iraqi communications news, including developments and opportunities in communications and media from Iraq Business News.
By John Lee. The head of Iraq's Communications and Media Commission (CMC) has said the regulator has won a judicial decision against Korek Telecom, obliging the company to pay approximately $800 million to the Iraqi state treasury. The decision resolves a long-standing legal dispute between the commission and the company over unpaid dues, and Dr. […]
By Hamdi Malik and Michael Knights for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Profile: Communications and Media Commission After falling under the control of "resistance"-linked board members, this key Iraqi media institution began a widespread […]
By John Lee. A group of human rights organisations have expressed their deepest concern regarding the Iraqi authorities' recent campaign to crack down on 'indecent content' online. This crackdown, they say, has a chilling effect and will stifle free speech in the country. The statement, which can be read in full here, is signed by […]
By John Lee. Subscription video on demand service StarzPlay has reportedly announced its partnership with Iraq's Almanasa to provide STARZPLAY's diverse breadth of entertainment and sports offering for subscribers in the market. As part of the three year agreement, STARZPLAY will provide its core product catalogue of movies and TV shows for Almanasa subscribers in […]
By John Lee. Datareportal has issued a report on digital trends and behaviours in Iraq. Among the key finding are: There were 33.72 million internet users in Iraq at the start of 2023, when internet penetration stood at 74.9 percent. Iraq was home to 25.53 million social media users in January 2023, equating to 56.7 […]
By John Lee. Mobile phone service Asiacell has reported an increase in customers and data traffic, but a drop EBITDA. In its financial results for the year ended 31 December 2022, parent company Ooredoo said: "Asiacell reported solid Revenue for the year 2022, reaching a total of QAR 3.7 billion. However, the EBITDA saw a […]
By John Lee. Mobile phone service Asiacell has reportedly appointed US-based LigaData to implement a new Data Governance Framework and Data Governance Center of Expertise. According to a press release, the partnership will enable more innovative digital services for Asiacell's 17 million subscribers and significantly improve the organization's return on investment from existing data infrastructure. […]
By John Lee. Zain Group has announced that its operation in Iraq has entered into a definite 15-year agreement to sell and leaseback, as well as the management rights of the passive physical infrastructure of its 4,968 tower portfolio in Iraq to TASC Towers Iraq for US$180 million. The deal also comprises of TASC Towers […]
From OpenSignal: Asiacell users have the fastest experience in Iraq Asiacell remains unbeaten in the average speeds seen by our Iraqi users. The operator wins Download Speed Experience and Upload Speed Experience for the third consecutive time, meaning no other Iraqi operator has won either award since we began reporting on the Iraqi mobile network […]
One of the greatest obstacles facing many telecommunication companies across the world is their capacity and ability to combat gaming download speeds and latency. With the development of broadband and gaming occurring side by side, every company in this domain must do all they can to satisfy gamers internationally. With an expected mobile game user […]
From the Kurdistan Regional Goverment: According to the strategic program set by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), by the end of 2025, all services in Kurdistan will be managed digitally and electronically and no paper will be used. The Prime Minister's vision for the issue of digitalization of government institutions and services has been made […]
By John Lee. Iraq has fallen in the World Press Freedom Index for 2022, ranking 172nd out of 180 countries, down nine places on last year. The result puts Iraq behind countries such as Syria and Saudi Arabia, but ahead of Iran and China. First place went to Norway, with North Korea coming last. Reporters […]
