From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq has been engulfed in violent protests in the past few weeks as soldiers fired live rounds into crowds. But this has only entrenched the protesters' position as they demand a complete overhaul […]
By John Lee. The decision by the Iraqi authorities to cut the internet in an attempt to thwart demonstraters is reported to have cost the economy nearly a billion dollars. According to AFP, from the second day of unrest, the internet was restricted and the day after authorities ordered it cut entirely; a fortnight later, […]
Internet access has been cut off across much of Iraq including the capital Baghdad with connectivity falling below 70%, internet blockage observatory NetBlocks said, amid renewed anti-government protests that turned violent and spread nationwide. Earlier on Wednesday social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, as well as messaging application WhatsApp all appeared to be have […]
By John Lee. Iraqi media reported on Thursday that an agreement was signed between the Iraqi Ministries of Education and Communication to cut internet service during the period of the next "ministerial examinations" (sic). The Ministry of Communications denies the reports, adding that it wishes to assure the Iraqi public that there is no intention […]
A new low-cost satellite broadband service will be launched across Iraq and Afghanistan as Belgium's SatADSL, a provider of professional VSAT services via satellite, and UK-based Talia agreed to expand their long-term partnership. The two companies’ current agreement lets SatADSL link directly to Talia’s teleport to provide services across the whole of Africa, with Talia’s […]
This article was originally published by Niqash. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. By Mustafa Habib. Iraqi Internet Shuts Down, Fake News Blossoms During Information Blackout When it came to disinformation, shutting down the Internet to prevent protests in Iraq may have backfired. […]
By John Lee. An Iraqi government block on internet access is reportedly costing the country $40 million per day in lost business, sales and opportunities. The estimate is from the COST tool, based on the Brookings Institution economic impact methodology for internet shutdowns, using data collected by the NetBlocks internet shutdown observatory in collaboration with […]
By Amnesty International. Internet Cut to Stop Protesters Posting Images of Security Force Attacks Amnesty International has learned that the Iraqi authorities have disabled internet access shortly before the security forces have attacked - and in some cases killed - people protesting over unemployment and inadequate government services across the south of the country. In […]
By John Lee. The Iraqi government is reportedly temporarily suspend internet connections across the country to stop school pupils cheating during exams. According to media reports, this is the third consecutive year that this will happen. The internet is expected to be blocked for two hours each morning during the two-week exam period. (Sources: Al […]
By John Lee. Plans are reportedly progressing to launch a free ka-band satellite broadband service in Iraq in the second quarter of 2018. UK-based Quika promises the world’s first entirely free high-speed satellite internet for consumers in developing countries. Its free plan will be funded by paid-for services for enterprises and internet providers. According to […]
Global satcom specialist Marlink, based in France, UK-based service integrator Defaultroute and Iraqi Internet service provider Abr Al Manara have announed that they have joined forces to deliver a groundbreaking hybrid digital connectivity service resulting in a multi-million US dollar contract for a major Iraqi oil and gas company. Overcoming the challenges of poor terrestrial […]
By John Lee. Kuwait-based telecommunications group Zain has said that revenues at its Iraqi unit fell by 11 percent in 2016. In its full-year results, the company blamed "exceptional circumstances" with revenues for the full-year reaching USD 1.1 billion, and EBITDA reaching USD 394 million, down 18 percent, with a net loss of USD 5 […]
