Ooredoo Group’s international connectivity division, OFN, has joined forces with iQ Networks, a key supplier of fibre-optic infrastructure in Iraq. This partnership focuses on establishing multiple dark fibre pairs for communication transit throughout Iraq, enhancing connectivity across the region. Combined with OFN’s separate initiative involving the Iraqi Telecommunications and Post Company (ITPC), this agreement aims to create a seamless subsea and terrestrial connectivity route stretching through Iraq towards Türkiye and Europe.
Building a Strategic Connectivity Corridor
The collaboration is pivotal for developing a robust connection linking Asia, the Gulf, Iraq, and Europe. The planned Fibre in Gulf (FIG) subsea cable system is set to deliver high-capacity connectivity directly into Iraq. Meanwhile, the agreement with iQ Networks enables this connectivity to extend over land, providing a vital link towards Türkiye and Europe. This strategic initiative not only enhances international data transmission but fortifies Iraq’s role as a central hub for global connectivity.
This unified infrastructure is designed to cater to the rising demand for international data traffic. It will improve route diversity, allowing customers to adjust their transmission capabilities according to their needs. The initiative is poised to serve a growing array of clients, including artificial intelligence (AI) firms, hyperscalers, cloud service providers, content companies, data centers, and telecom operators, all of whom increasingly seek reliable and scalable connectivity solutions.
Key Stakeholders in the Agreement
The agreement was formalized at Ooredoo Group’s headquarters in Doha, highlighting a significant moment for international communications. Notable attendees included Iraq’s Deputy Minister for Technical Affairs and advisors from the Ministry of Communications, along with executives from both Ooredoo and iQ Networks. Khalid Hassan Al-Hammadi, the CEO of OFN, emphasized that this collaboration represents a crucial step in enhancing OFN’s global connectivity offerings, combining the strengths of FIG’s subsea capacity with iQ Networks’ terrestrial infrastructure.
In a similar vein, Asoz Rashid, CEO of iQ Group, underscored Iraq’s advantageous geographical position and the ambitious goal of establishing the country as a key international data transit hub. This partnership presents an excellent opportunity to build the primary route connecting Asia, the Gulf, and Europe, further elevating Iraq’s profile in the global connectivity landscape.
Enhancing Subsea and Terrestrial Infrastructure
The FIG subsea cable represents a groundbreaking advancement in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, boasting up to 720 terabits per second capacity through 24 fibre pairs. By linking various nations such as Qatar, Oman, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq, this single high-capacity loop sets a new standard for data transmission. The agreement with ITPC is critical for landing the subsea infrastructure in Iraq, ensuring a cohesive integration of both initiatives.
This dual-approach not only connects FIG’s subsea capabilities but also optimizes dark fibre transit across Iraq, thereby facilitating a comprehensive international connectivity route.
Meeting the Growing Demand for Connectivity
As global demand for scalable connectivity surges, particularly due to advancements in AI and the proliferation of cloud services, this initiative becomes increasingly relevant. Dark fibre infrastructure offers wholesale customers greater operational control over managing and scaling their transmission capabilities, making it especially appealing for telecom operators, hyperscalers, AI and cloud service providers, and content companies grappling with significant bandwidth requirements.
The new Iraqi transit route will serve as an additional geographical pathway between the Gulf and Europe, enhancing route diversity and supporting OFN’s international infrastructure strategy. This expansion aligns with Ooredoo Group’s vision of creating a comprehensive digital infrastructure portfolio that includes subsea cables, terrestrial fibre, data centers, and AI-ready platforms. Through these initiatives, OFN aims to enhance international connectivity and foster new wholesale opportunities while maximizing the utilization of its investments in infrastructure.