Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq has secured its position as a critical transit gateway for international data traffic between Asia and Europe through a strategic partnership between Ooredoo Group and the Iraqi Telecommunications and Post Company (ITPC).
The agreement, known as the Landing Party Agreement, will facilitate the installation of the Fibre in Gulf (FIG) subsea cable in Iraq, significantly enhancing the nation’s digital infrastructure. The FIG subsea cable is expected to provide a high-capacity, low-latency connection to meet the increasing demands from enterprises, hyperscalers, data centers, and telecom operators, with the project set to complete by 2027.
This 2,000-kilometer cable will feature 24 pairs of optical fiber and will link Iraq with Qatar, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, ensuring fast, low-latency services for users in these regions. The cable is designed to offer robust connectivity for businesses and service providers in the Middle East, enhancing Iraq’s role as a regional data hub.
In his remarks, Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Bin Nasser Al Thani, Group Regional CEO for the Middle East at Ooredoo, highlighted the strategic importance of the project. “This agreement is another step forward in advancing Iraq’s digital infrastructure and enhancing its global connectivity,” he said. “It will be key in speeding up Iraq’s economic diversification and digital transformation.”
Iraq’s Minister of Communications, Hayam Al Yasiri, also emphasized the national significance of the project. “Iraq’s strategic location makes it an ideal hub for regional and international data traffic, and the landing of the FIG cable system marks a major step toward realizing a more connected future.”
The initiative positions Iraq as a vital link in global digital connectivity, reinforcing its role as a transit hub between Asia and Europe and fueling growth in sectors like AI, Cloud, and IoT. This project will serve as a catalyst for Iraq’s technological growth and economic development.
