On Tuesday (7th January), iQ Networks, a subsidiary of Sulaymaniya’s iQ Group, signed Iraq’s inaugural dark fibre IRU framework agreement with Qatar-based Gulf Bridge International (GBI) in Baghdad.
According to a statement from iQ, this landmark deal is a pivotal move towards establishing Iraq as an essential telecommunications hub.
The event also celebrated surpassing over 1 terabyte of capacity on the Silk Route Transit. Numerous companies, including GBI, are already utilizing capacity on this route, while others are in active testing phase.
Asoz Rashid, CEO of iQ Group, said:
“The fact that we’ve surpassed 1 terabyte of active capacity is more than a technical milestone; it’s a clear indication of Iraq’s evolving role in the global digital economy. The Silk Route Transit is the first step towards reshaping Iraq’s economy away from natural resources, laying the groundwork for a future defined by data and technology.”
Waseem Amjad, CEO of iQ Networks, highlighted the broader impact of this achievement:
“Reaching 1 terabyte of capacity is transformative for iQ. One key feature is its integration with global OTT peering, which enhances how efficiently content is delivered across the internet. By building strong peering relationships with global OTT providers, we’re reducing latency and improving user experience, allowing AI to develop, regional financial institutions to process faster, and so much more. In short, this will impact everyone.”
H.E. Eng. Essa Bin Hilal Al-Kuwari, Chairman of GBI, expressed his enthusiasm for the agreement:
“This partnership underscores GBI’s commitment to advancing regional connectivity and digital transformation. By joining forces with iQ Networks, we are not only enabling Iraq to become a strategic hub for data transit but also fostering innovation and creating a robust digital ecosystem that benefits businesses and communities alike.”
(Source: iQ Group)
