Minister of Communications: Cable contracts will improve internet service in Iraq

On Wednesday, Minister of Communications Hiyam Al-Yasiri explained the mechanism for contracting for the landing of the submarine cable, and while she indicated that this would maximize the state’s resources, she confirmed that the cable contracts would improve the internet service in Iraq.

Al-Yasiri said in a statement reported by the Iraqi News Agency, and reviewed by "Al-Eqtisad News", that "a contract was recently signed between the Gulf Marine Cables Company, owned by the Saudi company (FCC), and the General Company for Communications and Information Technology, one of the formations of the Ministry of Communications," noting that "the contract includes landing a third marine cable for Iraq at the Faw station after the two marine cables (GPI) and (Five Cone)", indicating that "the third cable is known as (Two Africa)".

She added that "this cable is present in 47 international landing stations in various countries of the world", noting that "marine cables are essential cables for transmitting Internet communications across different countries of the world through the seas across continents".

She stated, "Laying the cable in Faw means enabling it to transmit international communications for various participating international companies through Iraq", explaining that "this will contribute to improving Internet service in Iraq and reducing its prices".

She stated, "Some types of communications will pass through Iraq in transit to Europe via Turkey, and this will contribute to maximizing resources in addition to contributing to economic and security stability in the country, considering that the interests of major countries pass through Iraq," explaining, "Iraq will not incur any financial costs for landing the submarine cable, but on the contrary, one million dollars were paid in advance in exchange for signing the contract, which will go into the Iraqi treasury to begin implementation immediately."

She stated, "The waters of the Shatt al-Arab and the waters of Al-Faw are shallow waters, as the cable is buried 200 meters under water, and this requires a survey of the area surrounding Al-Faw to find out if there are rubble, mines, or other things, and this requires moving some ships and using some modern mechanisms and technology to survey the area," explaining, "The company contracting with us will start doing so immediately and it will not require any effort or supplies from us."

She confirmed, "After the area is surveyed, the stages of landing the cable will begin, which is expected and planned to be in the first quarter of next year or the second quarter, the cable will be landed at the Al-Faw station."