Ooredoo Secures Authorization to Build International Fiber Optic Transit Network Across Iraq

Doha, November 12 (QNA) - Ooredoo Fibre Networks (OFN), the international connectivity arm of Ooredoo Group, secured authorization from Iraq’s General Company for Telecommunications and Informatics to establish an international fiber-optic transit network across Iraq, extending to the Turkish border.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Ooredoo Group (QPSC) explained that this authorization builds upon previous approval granted to OFN for the landing of the Fibre in the Gulf (FIG) subsea cable in Iraq, enabling the deployment of terrestrial fiber-optic infrastructure nationwide.

The project combines OFN's international connectivity infrastructure with the domestic network of the General Company for Telecommunications and Informatics to establish a transit corridor linking the Gulf to Turkiye and Europe.

The planned corridor adds a new geographic path to OFN’s international network, diversifies routing between Asia, the Gulf, and Europe, and expands wholesale international connectivity capacity in the region.

The infrastructure will offer high-capacity, low-latency transit routing over shorter distances between the Middle East and Europe.

HE Ooredoo Group Regional CEO Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad bin Nasser Al-Thani stated that international connectivity represents a long-term investment in regional economic potential. He noted that Iraq plays a central role in this domain, adding that partnering with the General Company for Telecommunications and Informatics expands Ooredoo's capacity to support enterprise digital growth across the region.

Chief Executive Officer of Ooredoo Fibre Networks Khaled Al Hamadi stated that establishing a dedicated transit network through Iraq provides direct operational control over route architecture and capacity expansion. He added that integrating this terrestrial link with the FIG subsea cable system creates a high-capacity route to Europe for telecom operators and wholesale clients.

OFN will execute the project in coordination with the General Company for Telecommunications and Informatics, supporting Iraq’s position as a regional data transit hub as part of Ooredoo Group’s broader digital infrastructure expansion strategy. (QNA)