Ooredoo Group and the Iraqi Telecommunications and Post Company (ITPC) have signed a landmark Landing Party Agreement to land the Fibre in Gulf (FIG) subsea cable in Iraq, positioning the country as a vital transit hub for global data traffic between Asia and Europe.
As Iraq continues to build its digital infrastructure, the FIG subsea cable will provide high-capacity, low-latency connectivity to meet the increasing demands of businesses, hyperscalers, data centres, and telecom operators. This project is set to play a crucial role in accelerating Iraq’s digital transformation and economic diversification, creating new growth opportunities for its diverse industries.
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad bin Nasser al-Thani, Group Regional CEO – Middle East at Ooredoo, commented, “This agreement marks another step forward in advancing Iraq’s digital infrastructure and reinforcing its position in global data connectivity. As demand for high-speed and reliable connectivity rises, Iraq is positioned to serve as a strategic hub, driving innovation, investment, and long-term economic growth. We are heavily investing in next-generation connectivity to create new opportunities for businesses and consumers while strengthening the region’s role in the global digital economy.”
The FIG subsea cable, the largest ever built in the GCC, connects all Gulf countries and beyond in a single, high-capacity loop. With a record-breaking 720Tbps of capacity across 24 fibre pairs, it exceeds the combined capacity of all existing and planned Gulf cables.
Dr. Hayam al-Yasiri, Iraqi Minister of Communications, emphasized the national significance of the partnership: “This agreement is a significant milestone. Iraq’s strategic location makes it an ideal hub for regional and international data traffic. The landing of the FIG cable system is a major step toward a more connected future. This initiative strengthens Iraq’s role as a key transit point for global data while advancing hyperscaler expansions, AI, Cloud, and IoT.”
She added, “We are proud to partner with Ooredoo Group to bring the FIG subsea cable to Iraq, providing government institutions, businesses, and individuals with unprecedented connectivity. This will drive growth, innovation, and global integration, reflecting our commitment to continuously enhancing the country’s digital infrastructure.”
Expected to be operational by Q4 2027, the FIG subsea cable will be instrumental in advancing AI, Cloud, and IoT developments across the region.
Najib Khan, Group Chief Business Services Officer at Ooredoo, concluded, “The FIG subsea cable represents a new era in digital infrastructure for the region, with Iraq at the heart of this transformation. By delivering cutting-edge subsea capacity, we ensure that our customers will benefit from the highest levels of network reliability, efficiency, and performance, supporting Iraq’s digital ambitions and economic progress.”
