MAP > Internet Providers in Iraq

Plans to be able to auction the fourth mobile license in Iraq have been ignited with Iraqi cabinet announcing in the mid-2018, that there is a committee that has been appointed to be able to manage tender process together with assistance from the auditing firm. While there were efforts in the past to go on and auction the fourth license got to achieve no success, and it has been hoped that now, the licensing process is going to be completed and the competition in the mobile market is going to be created.

The overall political unrest in Iraq has gone on and battered telecommunications sector and hence created a challenging environment for telecoms operators in recent years. In the year 2018, there have been signs of stability with the installation of many of the new fiber optic cables, the restoration of some of the damaged mobile networks underway and the development in the mobile broadband subscribers evident. There has been a high international interest in the Iraqi market with the potential to be able to recover economically pinned on the large oil as well as the natural gas reserves.

This country provides so much potential for the telecoms infrastructure development with so many underserved areas needing better coverage and or even reconstruction. There is going to be so many opportunities in growing both the 3G as well as the 4G deployment, with some early signs that the mobile data revenues are increasing on the back of the existing 3G networks. Some of the companies mentioned in this report include (ITPC) Iraqi Telephone and Postal Company, Asiacell, Zain Iraq, Newroz Telecom, Regional Telecom, Korek Telecom, Communication and Media Commission (CMC), and ScopeSky Communications. It is important to note that due to the civil unrest in this country, current as well as detailed information on the telecoms sector can be quite difficult to be obtained.

Some of the key developments include:
• Three mobile network operators that hold the national licenses including Zain Iraq, Korea Telecom and Asiacell.
• Parts of Iraq were seized by the rebel forces, and they have been reported to have minimal mobile infrastructure that has been left intact, with the residents relying on the satellite technology for the communications.
• Majority popular mobile plans are usually prepaid.
• The operators have faced some serious security concerns for both the personnel, infrastructure, and equipment as a result of the civil unrest.
• The mobile broadband services have taken a recent step forward with the recent growth in mobile broadband subscriptions.