Optical & Fixed Networks

Iraq to play major role in new digital telecoms corridor

Iraq to play major role in new digital telecommunications corridor

Zain Omantel International (ZOI), a Middle Eastern regional wholesale business with access to more than 20 international submarine cables in the region, has announced a partnership that will enable it to create a digital telecommunications corridor stretching from the Middle East to Europe through Iraq.

The partnership, supporting the aim of offering alternative terrestrial connectivity options that provide higher levels of capacity, security and efficiency, is with Horizon Scope Telecom, an Iraq-based ICT solutions provider, and the Iraqi Telecommunications and Information Company (ITPC), a government-owned connectivity company under the Iraqi Ministry of Telecommunications.

The route will use terrestrial fibre connectivity that takes advantage of Iraq’s position as a digital gateway, creating more reliable services that are less susceptible to interruptions. It will pass through Turkey and make its way up to Frankfurt, Germany. 

ZOI says the new corridor will act as an alternative to traditional subsea routes by bypassing some of the turbulent areas. The route will enable international businesses, telecom operators and hyperscalers to expand their reach via robust, low-latency infrastructure, ensuring seamless connectivity between the Middle East and Europe.

As a licensed ISP, Horizon Scope Telecom will facilitate direct peering with other networks and interconnection with global internet exchanges. With ZOI and ITPC, it will improve speed and capacity and reduce latency for enterprises and hyperscalers looking to take advantage of Iraq’s rising presence as a regional hub.

Ahmed Abdulsalam, the Managing Director of Horizon Scope, explains: “Offering alternative terrestrial connectivity routes is a critical way to protect against infrastructure vulnerabilities, ensuring that enterprises can capture more opportunities and scale with reliable connectivity."

As a state-owned company, ITPC says it has a deep understanding of the regulatory and operational environment in Iraq. It will play a key role in the route’s compliance with international standards, helping to maintain security and regulatory measures to ensure seamless connectivity across Iraq.



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