Ooredoo Group’s international connectivity division, OFN, has announced a significant agreement with Iraqi infrastructure provider iQ Networks. This deal, publicized on October 7, entails the acquisition of multiple dark-fibre pairs along a cross-Iraq route, which aims to extend northward toward Türkiye and Europe. This agreement stands apart from OFN’s previous arrangement with the Iraqi Telecommunications and Post Company for the planned Fibre in Gulf (FIG) landing in Iraq but is designed to complement it.
The Fibre in Gulf (FIG) Project
The FIG initiative focuses on establishing a robust, high-capacity loop spanning seven Gulf markets, specifically Iraq, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The system is anticipated to support staggering capacities up to 720 terabits per second through 24 fibre pairs. While the FIG landing agreement pertains to the subsea system’s entry into Iraq, the deal with iQ Networks is crucial for ensuring that overland connectivity is in place to route traffic through Iraq. This distinction positions the new agreement as a significant milestone in terrestrial transit, rather than merely enhancing previously established partnerships.
Strategic Advantages for International Trade
From a commercial perspective, the newly proposed corridor offers international wholesale carriers an additional geographic linkage between Asian markets, the Gulf region, and Europe. The use of dark fibre enables clients to customize and control their transmission equipment, facilitating a more adaptable capacity to meet evolving demands. Ooredoo anticipates that this route will attract major carriers and large-scale digital infrastructure users, including hyperscalers, cloud service providers, artificial intelligence firms, and data center operators. However, it’s crucial to note that Ooredoo has not yet positioned this agreement as a direct service launch.
Implications for Iraq’s Role in Global Data Transit
For Iraq, this new route could significantly enhance the nation’s existing terrestrial network and solidify its position in the global data transit ecosystem. For OFN, the integration of a Gulf subsea system with cross-country fibre could improve route diversity and generate new wholesale business opportunities from the assets surrounding both landing points. While these benefits remain to be fully realized, the signed dark-fibre agreement lays a commercial foundation for blending iQ Networks’ infrastructure with the FIG project, paving the way for future developments.
Next Steps and Regulatory Considerations
It’s essential to clarify that the current milestone is the finalized dark-fibre agreement, not the completion of construction or readiness for service. Ooredoo has indicated that the implementation will adhere to the agreed-upon plan but still requires various approvals, including those from regulatory and governmental entities. The announcement did not disclose specific timelines for construction commencement, approval deadlines, or anticipated operational launch dates. Consequently, the immediate focus remains on navigating the approvals and implementation process, with the schedule and delivery details yet to be revealed.
This recent agreement marks a significant step toward enhancing Iraq’s infrastructure for international data transit, creating new commercial avenues for Ooredoo and its partners. As the implementation progresses, both the region’s telecommunications landscape and global connectivity could see meaningful transformations.