Shafaq News- Baghdad

Starlink can help bring internet access to remote areas of Iraq, Alaa Jasim Mousa, the Chief Executive Officer of EarthLink in Iraq, said on Saturday, adding that fiber-optic networks now cover most Iraqi provinces

Speaking at the eighth Baghdad International Dialogue Conference, Jassim said difficulties securing approvals and political factors delayed the work and prevented network expansion in some areas in Mosul, Al-Anbar, and Wasit.

Earthlink previously faced significant obstacles in obtaining permits to lay fiber-optic cables, but cooperation with the government has improved, with communities increasingly requesting access to the service. Meetings with the Communications Ministry are now held regularly to address outstanding issues, according to Jassim.

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“The satellite internet service could provide connectivity to remote areas, but he warned that unauthorized use should be addressed through formal regulation.”

Internet quality had improved with the expansion of fiber-optic networks, helping support the growth of e-commerce. Iraq currently ranks at a mid-level in digital development and is seeking to compete with more advanced countries. Jassim added that technological development depends less on heavy spending than on adequate infrastructure investment in telecommunications.

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