BAGHDAD: Iraq is preparing to significantly expand its national fiber-optic internet rollout after a recent population census revealed that more than eight million homes were excluded from earlier plans, according to the Ministry of Communications.
Ministry Undersecretary Buraq Abdul Qader told Shafaq News that the fiber-optic network currently reaches around four million homes nationwide, but the updated census data showed a much larger housing base than previously estimated, requiring a broader and more inclusive rollout.
He said the ministry is now working to address the shortfall and ensure wider household coverage, adding that the fiber-optic project is a cornerstone of Iraq’s strategy to deliver high-speed internet services across the country.
As part of the initiative, the ministry has also provided free fiber-optic internet access to public schools. More than 2,500 schools in Baghdad and other provinces have already been connected, supporting digital learning and improved access to online educational resources.
Earlier this month, Communications Minister Hiyam al-Yasiri confirmed that free internet services for schools would remain available until the end of the official school day, reinforcing the government’s focus on education and digital inclusion.
The national fiber-optic project, supervised by the Ministry of Communications, aims to extend high-speed connectivity to all households and government institutions across Iraq as part of broader efforts to modernise the country’s digital infrastructure.
