Internet in Iraq: A Chronic Crisis Threatens Economic and Educational Development

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[size=52]Internet in Iraq: A Chronic Crisis Threatens Economic and Educational Development[/size]

[size=45]Iraq has been suffering from multiple problems with internet services for years, as it is among the countries with the slowest and poorest quality internet services in the region.[/size]
[size=45]These problems are due to several factors, including weak infrastructure, lack of investment in network development, and administrative corruption that negatively affects the telecommunications sector.[/size]
[size=45]The impact of these problems is not limited to individuals and homes, but extends to include companies and educational institutions, which hinders economic and educational progress in the country.[/size]
[size=45]Popular demands for improved internet services are increasing day after day, amid government promises to improve the situation without achieving tangible results so far.[/size]
[size=45]Internet network specialist Ahmed Al-Shammari identified three direct reasons behind the weakness of the Internet. Al-Shammari accuses parties and individuals of being behind the problem of weak Internet networks.[/size]
[size=45]He says, “The problem of weak internet in Iraq contributes to pumping millions of dinars into the pockets of responsible parties. This is a deliberate and intentional matter, and its goal is to increase profits.”[/size]
[size=45]He explains that “there are three main reasons behind the problem, the most prominent of which is the sale of the same package to more than one person by tower owners.”[/size]
[size=45]He points out that “the objective treatment that the Ministry of Communications can contribute to directly is 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]He points out that “the free package that the Ministry of Communications pledged to offer to families cannot cover the actual need for usage, whether for calling or browsing, and it may end within 48 hours, which forces the purchase of another package.”[/size]
[size=45]He continues, “Lowering internet prices is a good thing, but what is more important is quality and efficiency.”[/size]
[size=45]The prices of monthly internet subscriptions provided by private companies in Iraq start from 35 thousand Iraqi dinars and reach 180 thousand dinars, in exchange for poor service that provokes citizens’ anger and criticism, as calls are escalated from time to time to improve the communications services sector in general in Iraq, in line with the development taking place around the world, and in a way that meets the aspirations of millions of Iraqi users.[/size]
[size=45]MP and member of the Parliamentary Transport and Communications Committee, Ghassan Al-Eidani, says, “The committee is in continuous contact with the Ministry of Communications to evaluate quality assurance and apply legal controls on service providers compared to subscription and package prices.”[/size]
[size=45]He added, "Iraq was suffering from significant smuggling of internet bandwidth, but recent efforts to pursue smugglers, the Ministry of Communications' procedures, and the parliamentary committee's follow-up contributed to reducing these operations."[/size]
[size=45]Al-Eidani continues, “This sector is vital and has become of utmost importance in social needs, economic dealings, and many other areas. Therefore, all efforts must be integrated to ensure the availability of appropriate services for all segments of society.”[/size]
[size=45]Iraq fell 6 places on a monthly basis, according to the Global Internet Speed ​​Index issued last January, to rank 122nd globally and ninth in the Arab world, as download speed decreased while upload speed increased slightly.[/size]
[size=45]Internet service in Iraq is constantly interrupted, with most of the interruptions being due to government decisions that stop the service on the days of final exams for fear of questions being leaked, or due to political and security developments, or for maintenance purposes carried out by telecommunications companies and the ministry.[/size]
[size=45]On February 1, 2023, the Ministry of Communications launched the 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 service with a capacity of 100 gigabytes, renewable, and at an unlimited speed, for a subscription fee not exceeding 15,000 dinars ($10).[/size]
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