Iraq says five telecom firms interested in submarine cable investment

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Ministry of Communications has said five regional and global companies are prepared to invest in the country's telecommunications sector. Ali Yassin, director general of the ministry's Telecommunications and Informatics Department, told the official gazette that the companies are seeking cooperation with the ministry on submarine cable projects. The five companies are Saudi Telecom, Breeze, e&, Ooredoo and Batelco, according to Yassin. He said each company has strong investment and technological capacity in the region. Iraq's geographic position is being positioned as a strategic hub for data traffic between Asia, Europe and neighboring countries. The investments are expected to strengthen the country's digital infrastructure and expand data transmission routes. No further details on the size of the planned investments or project timelines were immediately available.