By John Lee. French telecoms company Orange Group has reportedly launched legal proceedings against the Iraqi government with the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), part of the World Bank, for more than $400m that it alleges was expropriated by the country's regulator. The case relates to the company's investment in Korek, the […]
Tag Archives | Korek
Iraq to Renew Licences of Mobile Phone Companies
By John Lee. At its regular meeting on Tuesday, the Iraqi Cabinet has decided to renew the licenses of mobile phone companies for a period of five years. The offer is conditional on the companies paying 50 percent of their outstanding debt, and agreeing to provide 4G services. (Source: Govt of Iraq)
New Evidence of Corruption in Iraq
By John Lee. Court filings in the United States have reportedly shed new light on corruption in Iraq. Louis Auge, of EU Reporter, writes that two members of Iraq’s Communications and Media Commission (CMC) recieved houses in London in return for their role in the expropriation of over $800 million from French telecom firm Orange […]
Regulator "Blocks calls" to Korek Customers
By John Lee. Iraq's Communications and Media Commission (CMC) has reportedly ordered operators to block calls between their customers and Korek users in a dispute over number portability. According to Rudaw, the regulator told mobile network providers that Erbil-based Korek had failed to meet its “contractual obligations” to allow customers to keep their phone number […]
Govt demands Asiacell & Korek Relocate to Baghdad
By John Lee. Mobile phone operators based in Iraqi Kurdistan have reportedly been told by the Iraqi government to move their headquarters to Baghdad, following the region’s recent vote for independence. Asiacell is based in the Kurdish city of Sulaymaniyah, while Korek is based in Erbil; Zain, however, is based in Baghdad. According to a […]
RFI for Mobile Number Portability Database
The Iraqi Communications and Media Commission (CMC), in its capacity as the sole entity responsible for regulating telecommunications, broadcasting and information Services in Iraq, is initiating the process of launching the Mobile Number Portability service (MNP). In line with their respective obligations, Asiacell, Korek and Zain, the three Iraqi mobile telecommunications operators, are initiating the […]
Iraq Seeks Fourth Mobile Telecom Provider
By John Lee. Iraq has invited interested companies to submit proposals to run a fourth mobile phone service in the country. The state-run Communication and Media Commission (CMC) said the planned license will run for 15 years, with the possibility of renewal. Interested companies have until 20th November to submit papers. Iraq's existing three mobile […]
Zain Iraq Shares Jump on ISX Debut
By Simon Kent. Zain Iraq is now listed on the Baghdad stock exchange, some 4 years after the company was required to do so under the terms of their market entry to Iraq, Reuters reports. Analysts such as Hassan Aldahan, chairman of Baghdad investment company Bain Alnahrain, explained that the 50% rise on share value was artificially […]
Court Dismisses $4.5bn Claim Against Zain
By John Lee. An Iraqi court has reportedly rejected a $4.5-billion (5.4 trillion Iraqi dinar) lawsuit against Zain. The case centers around Zain's $1.2-billion acquisition of Iraqna from Egypt's Orascom Telecom in December 2007, after the Egyptian company dropped out of the running for a long-term mobile licence. According to Reuters, the Kuwaiti firm then […]
Zain to Launch 3G by Jan
By John Lee. Zain Iraq is to launch its 3G mobile phone services in January. Reuters reports that Zain, along with rivals Asiacell and Korek, eventually agreed to the government’s terms and formally signed the contracts at a ceremony in Baghdad on Monday attended by prime minister Haider al-Abadi. Zain Iraq recently paid the first […]
Telcos Agree to Pay $307m for 3G
By John Lee. Reuters reports that Iraq’s mobile phone companies have agreed to demands from the country's Communications and Media Commission (CMC) to pay $307 million each for radio spectrum to run 3G mobile phone networks. Current 2G services are supplied by Zain Iraq (a unit of Kuwait’s Zain), Asiacell (a subsidiary of Ooredoo) and Orange […]
$307m Bill for 3G Spectrum
By John Lee. Iraq is reportedly seeking $307 million [358 billion Iraqi dinars] from each of the country's three mobile phone operators for spectrum to run 3G (third-generation) services. According to Reuters, all three operators – Zain Iraq (owned by Kuwait's Zain), Asiacell (owned by Ooredoo) and Korek (Orange) – paid $1.25 billion each for so-called "technology-neutral" […]