Tag Archives | Fibre-Optic

Iraq Sells First Cross-Border Internet Transit Capacity

By John Lee. Iraq has for the first time marketed cross-border internet transit capacity to Qatari company Gulf Bridge International (GBI), using the 'Civilisations Route' project stretching from Al Fao to Rabia. According to the Ministry of Communications, the agreement was concluded under an Indefeasible Right of Use (IRU) model, under which fibre-optic strands from […]

Iraq Explores Expanded Digital Transformation Projects

By John Lee. National Investment Commission (NIC) Deputy Chairman Salar Mohammed Amin met with a delegation of Canadian, American, Spanish and local technology companies to discuss accelerating Iraq's digital transformation, particularly as the country advances major development and reconstruction programmes. The meeting reviewed priority digital investment projects, including the national fibre-optic project and the smart […]

Iraq, Oman discuss Data Centre / Fibre Optic Project

By John Lee. The National Investment Commission (NIC) has hosted a high-level meeting with an Omani delegation to discuss the establishment of advanced international data centres and the transit of fibre optic cables in Iraq under an investment model. The meeting, chaired by NIC Chairman Dr Haider Mohammed Makiyya, was attended by Oman's Ambassador to […]

New Partnership to Connect the Middle East and Europe via Iraq

By John Lee. Zain Omantel International (ZOI) has announced a partnership with Iraq's Horizon Scope Telecom and the Iraqi Telecommunications and Information Company (ITPC), a government-owned company under the Iraqi Ministry of Telecommunications. This partnership enables ZOI to create a digital telecommunications corridor stretching from the Middle East to Europe through Iraq, offering alternative terrestrial […]

Iraq Signs Transit Agreement for Int'l Telecommunications

By John Lee. The Ministry of Communications of Iraq, under the supervision of Minister Dr. Hayam Al-Yasiri, has signed a partnership agreement with DIL Technology to establish Iraq as a unified transit corridor for international communications, running from from Al-Faw to Ibrahim Al-Khalil. The deal, the first of its kind, was signed between the General […]

Iraq to Present Strategic Communications Projects

By John Lee. The Ministry of Communications and the Iraqi Economic Council discussed preparations for the Iraq Investment Forum, scheduled for early June in Baghdad. Minister Hiyam Al-Yasiri highlighted strategic projects for investment, including submarine and transit [fiber optic] cable systems and data centres, aimed at enhancing Iraq's digital infrastructure and regional connectivity. Ibrahim Al-Baghdadi […]

Meta explores Digital Transformation in Iraq

By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani met with a delegation from US-based social media giant Meta to discuss collaboration in digital transformation, digital sovereignty, individual security, and content policies. The Prime Minister affirmed the government's commitment to advancing automation and digital transformation across public services, including government and banking applications. Both parties agreed […]

National Investment Commission Explores Non-Oil Investments with UNDP

By John Lee. The National Investment Commission (NIC) Chairman, Dr Haider Mohammed Makiyya [Makia], met with representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to discuss potential non-oil investment projects in Iraq. Key projects under discussion included: Fibre optic cable infrastructure. High-quality silica sand investment. Soil enhancement technologies to combat desertification. Climate investment strategy, recently […]

New Submarine Comms Cable to Serve Iraq

By John Lee. Qatar-based Ooredoo Group has partnered with France's Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) to build the Fibre in Gulf (FIG) submarine cable. The cable, connecting Qatar, Oman, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq, will have a capacity of up to 720Tbps with 24 fibre pairs. Ooredoo said in a statement that the […]

iQ Networks and GBI sign Dark Fibre Framework Agreement

By John Lee. On Tuesday (7th January), iQ Networks, a subsidiary of Sulaymaniya's iQ Group, signed Iraq's inaugural dark fibre IRU framework agreement with Qatar-based Gulf Bridge International (GBI) in Baghdad. According to a statement from iQ, this landmark deal is a pivotal move towards establishing Iraq as an essential telecommunications hub. The event also […]

Iraqi-French Business Council explores Strategic Projects

By John Lee. The Chairman of Iraq's National Investment Commission (NIC), Dr. Haider Mohammed Makiyya, held a meeting with Adham Al-Fakhar, Chairman of the Iraqi-French Business Council, and its members to discuss promising strategic investment projects. Dr. Makiyya emphasized the NIC's commitment to advancing a forward-looking investment policy that prioritizes innovative projects to strengthen Iraq's […]

iQ launches Silk Route Transit Network

By John Lee. Sulaymaniyah-based internet provider iQ has launched its new Silk Route Transit fibre-optic service. According to a press release, the new service will, "improve connectivity in the Middle East to the rest of the world ... [and] provide better latency and heighten download speeds across the continent to enable unprecedented streaming and gaming […]