BAGHDAD — Iraq’s government is preparing to launch Vodafone Iraq, a new state-backed telecom operator that will introduce 5G services and directly compete with private sector players. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Communications in partnership with Vodafone, aims to boost service quality, reduce costs, and create jobs for young Iraqis.
Minister of Communications Hayam al-Yasiri confirmed that the six-month preparatory stage has been completed and the operator will soon begin trial operations under the country’s fourth license. She emphasized that Vodafone Iraq will be modeled entirely on the global Vodafone brand — from technology and compliance standards to branding, policies, and even office design.
The project will rely heavily on unemployed Iraqi graduates, who will be trained by Vodafone to manage next-generation services. Under Vodafone’s “partner market” model, the group provides expertise, technology, and branding but does not hold ownership stakes. Instead, Iraq will pay licensing and training fees while retaining full control and revenues.
The company’s capital will be sourced from the employees’ pension fund, the Trade Bank of Iraq, and Al-Salam Company. All revenues will go to the government. Vodafone Iraq will initially cover Baghdad, Karbala, Najaf, and Hilla — key cities with high demand due to year-round religious tourism.
Al-Yasiri clarified that the new operator will pay infrastructure and license fees like private competitors and will not receive preferential treatment. Vodafone Iraq has been granted exclusive rights to operate 5G services for three years, a move designed to accelerate adoption much like the geographic exclusivity given to Iraq’s first operators in 2003.
The minister also addressed ongoing concerns over internet quality in Iraq, noting that high prices and poor service stem from reliance on Wi-Fi rather than fiber optics. She highlighted that the ministry has expanded fiber lines from one million to 4.5 million, with 1.5 million currently active, and pledged that Wi-Fi will be phased out nationwide by next year except in remote desert areas.
The first call on Vodafone Iraq’s network is expected within weeks, before the end of the current government’s term. Commercial operations are planned to follow shortly afterward, marking a milestone in Iraq’s digital transformation.
