Iraq targets large-scale 5G rollout by end of 2027, telecoms official says

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The head of Iraq's National Media and Communications Authority said on Monday that the country aims to bring fifth-generation mobile services into large-scale use by the end of 2027. Beligh Abu Kallel told reporters that one of the main reasons 5G had been delayed was that the service had been reserved for the state-run National Company, and that talks with the operator had ended that monopoly. Abu Kallel said the authority had agreed with the company to allocate the 5G license without an exclusive arrangement, opening the way for additional operators to enter the market once terms are set. He said the technical infrastructure is fully prepared to support the upgrade. The official described the launch of 5G as a strategic objective and said serious work was under way to meet the end-2027 target. He did not provide further details on licensing timelines or the number of additional operators that could be allowed to offer 5G services.