Iraq’s government will allow the country’s operators to renew their licences for a further five years – but with significant conditions attached.
Outlining its plan on the government’s website, the country’s cabinet stipulated that in exchange for the extension, operators must pledge to launch 4G services by early 2021. Additionally, they must pay off half of their debt burdens.
Currently, Iraq’s three operators Asiacell, Korek Telecom and Zain Iraq hold licences for 2G and 3G airwaves which TeleGeography notes are set to expire in 2022.
The cabinet has offered no more details beyond those stated on its website, and the country’s Ministry of Communications (MoC) and Communications and Media Commission (CMC) have made no statements.
