03 December 2024

The Iraqi government is 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.

Iraqi Minister of Communications Hiyam Al-Yasiri apparently 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.

However, Zain already operates a mobile network in Iraq alongside domestic telcos Asiacell and Korek. Zain Iraq launched a ‘virtual 5G-ready mobile network’ in 2021 in partnership with Matrixx Software under the brand Oodi, although the service uses its 4.5G network.