The Internet in Iraq: deferred solutions to raise quality and reduce costs

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[size=52]The Internet in Iraq: deferred solutions to raise quality and reduce costs[/size]

[size=45]Bright news[/size]
[size=45]The Parliamentary Transport and Communications Committee decided to host the Minister of Communications, Hiam Al-Yasiri, next Thursday to discuss the files on its agenda, while the committee confirmed that it is not satisfied with the performance and service provided for the Internet and communications service in Iraq.[/size]
[size=45]Minister of Communications, Hiyam Al-Yasiri, in turn, said in a previous statement, “The reason for the weakness in the service is the presence of one company controlling the Internet in Iraq, which controls more than 80% of the market.”[/size]
[size=45]The Ministry announced in a statement that “the steps that the Ministry is taking to improve Internet service and reduce its prices, including preventing one of the large companies from monopolizing the Internet market and creating competitive opportunities that contribute to achieving these goals, are being confronted by some quarters with an attack of media misinformation and playing on the string of abhorrent sectarianism despite Teach them that the provision of Internet service depends on the geography of the governorates and the border crossings close to each governorate, as Internet capacities are transmitted from the various neighboring Iraqi countries through these ports using the fiber-optic network and submarine cables.”[/size]
[size=45]Unfulfilled promises[/size]
[size=45]While the government is trying to adhere to its promises to the people to provide a real Internet service at the lowest cost to the citizen, the Iraqi Ministry of Communications has made many statements, including that it will launch a subsidized Internet service, indicating that the service will provide 10 free gigabytes to each family, in order to support needy families, while the ministry will provide a free service. With a capacity of 100 GB, renewable at an unlimited speed, for a subscription amount not exceeding 15 thousand dinars ($10).[/size]
[size=45]At a time when observers point out that the Internet in the country generally suffers from several problems, most notably the high cost and poor quality.[/size]
[size=45]Internet network specialists have determined that there are several reasons behind the weakness of the Internet in Iraq, including selling the same package to more than one person by tower owners, in addition to the fact that there are entities and people behind the problem of weakness in Internet networks, and that the weakness of the Internet in Iraq contributes to pumping millions dinars into the pockets of responsible parties, which is artificial and intentional, and its goal is to increase profits, while the solutions are to reduce the price of capacities first, and monitor their sale to the user while ensuring that the same package is not sold to more than one user.[/size]
[size=45]to divide[/size]
[size=45]Many experts accused the Ministry of Communications of violating Article 10 of the Antimonopoly Law No. 14, which prohibits any practices or agreements that constitute a violation of competition, as documents stipulated that the service provider in each geographical area be exclusively one company, which raised fears of a monopoly on the service. Before one company in each geographical area, which will lead to a decrease in the quality of service due to the lack of competition.[/size]
[size=45]It is also prohibited to share markets across geographical areas, and accusations have been repeated following numerous media reports and statements that the Minister is trying to divide Iraq sectarianly through the licensing round that divides Iraq into 5 geographical patches, each patch linked to one of the ports of neighboring countries, specifying the Rusafa area from Baghdad as the next port. From Iran and the Karkh region at the port coming from Jordan, and the Kirkuk region at the port coming from Kurdistan, which raised the issue of controversy and fears that the division had a sectarian flavor.[/size]
[size=45]consumer protection[/size]
[size=45]The specialist in the governance and security of information and communications technology, Ali Anwar Issa, explained to Al Mada, “There are many causes for the weakness of the Internet, and they differ from one company to another, and from one technology to another, as when we use FTTH technology, there are fewer problems for the consumer, while the problems are more.” When we use WIFI technology, these problems may even start from the receiving device (the router) itself, or they may start from the source until it reaches the receiving device, as any of the problems will lead to poor Internet service.”[/size]
[size=45]Issa confirms, “The solutions begin by setting correct policies for using the Internet, protecting consumers, monitoring companies, and also coordinating the relationship between the public and private sectors, as we notice that there have been conflicts in the recent period between the Communications Authority and the Ministry of Communications, and the latter with private sector companies, and these problems must have a solution.” Fast through clear legislation and policies, and there must be a good relationship with the Ministry of Communications and private sector companies as it is the true partner of the Ministry that invests, so it must do its job by monitoring and protecting the consumer from any harm that companies may cause.”Noting that “citizens, in turn, complain about Internet outages due to exams and other things. All of these problems must be identified and established with standards and policies that are clear to everyone. The other matter is the infrastructure that must be worked on better, and despite the work on it recently, Iraq It needs more work, in addition to educating the citizen about the Internet and knowing the cause and source of the problem and how to protect his right to use the services correctly.”[/size]
[size=45]dissatisfied[/size]
[size=45]The Minister of Communications, in turn, confirmed that “the steps taken by the Ministry to improve Internet service and reduce its prices, including preventing one of the large companies from monopolizing the Internet market and creating competitive opportunities that contribute to achieving these goals, are being confronted by some quarters with an attack of media misinformation and playing on the string of abhorrent sectarianism, despite their knowledge that The provision of Internet service depends on the geography of the governorates and the border crossings close to each governorate, as Internet capacities are transmitted from the various Iraqi neighboring countries through these ports using a fiber-optic network and submarine cables.”[/size]
[size=45]Haitham Al-Zarkani, a member of the Parliamentary Transport and Communications Committee, told Al-Mada: “We, as the Transport and Communications Committee, are not satisfied with the performance and service provided for the Internet and communications service in Iraq, and we are diagnosing this issue, and in the near future, and to be more precise, on Thursday, the Minister of Communications will be hosted to find out... The ministry’s work is to find out the reasons for poor service and its prices, and in Iraq the prices are high compared to the poor service.” He stated, “The issue is a monopoly for only two companies, so we have intentions to create an atmosphere of competition and not make it a monopoly for specific parties.”[/size]
[size=45]He stated, “Smuggling of devices exists and we are seriously seeking to hold people accountable and know the causes of smuggling and who is behind it, and the Communications Committee is seeking to provide the best.”[/size]
[size=45]It is noteworthy that the number of Internet companies in Iraq is about ten major companies that provide the Internet for all of Iraq, and that the current number of Internet agents in Iraq has reached approximately 8 thousand agents, with the presence of 20 thousand Internet towers.[/size]
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