The Iraqi government is reportedly in talks with foreign companies to operate the country’s planned 5G network, a year after the 5G network plan was greenlighted by the Iraqi Communication Ministry.
According to a report on Tuesday from independent digital news site Iraqi News, Iraqi Minister of Communications Hiyam Al-Yasiri said that negotiations are underway following the Iraqi cabinet’s approval of a team tasked with talking directly with international operators.
The team – chaired by Al-Yasiri – is focusing on operators with experience in Middle Eastern countries, the report said, although no names were mentioned.
That said, Kuwait-based telco Zain already has a foot in the door, as it operates a mobile network in Iraq alongside domestic telcos Asiacell and Korek. Zain Iraq launched what it called a “virtual 5G-ready mobile network” in 2021 in partnership with Matrixx Software under the lifestyle brand Oodi, although the service uses its 4.5G network.
Iraq's first 5G network has been in the works for a year after the cabinet initially approved the project in October 2023. State-owned Al-Salam Telecommunications Company was granted a license to manage the new network. At the time, Al-Yasiri said the Communication Ministry would invite bids from global firms to install and operate the network for Al-Salam.
