Sanad: Iraq targets simultaneous nationwide 5G rollout

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) — The Iraqi federal government is actively working to coordinate a simultaneous rollout of next-generation 5G telecommunications services across all Iraqi governorates and the Kurdistan Region, Minister of Communications Mustafa Sanad announced on Saturday, August 29, 2026. Speaking to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Sanad stated that existing technical and administrative differences between the federal ministry and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) are manageable, emphasizing that bilateral discussions are progressing toward unified protocols. Key Discussion Tracks & Technical Files Synchronized 5G Commercial Launch: Noting that the Kurdistan Region had taken earlier exploratory steps toward 5G deployment, the federal ministry is coordinating with regional authorities to synchronize spectrum allocation and commercial launches nationwide. Transit Fiber-Optic Backbone (Basra to Europe): Coordinating agreements regarding the strategic international transit fiber cable routed from Basra through the Kurdistan Region onward to European hubs, requiring unified commercial terms with operators operating in the region. Unified International Representation: Sanad underscored Baghdad’s position that Iraq must engage as a unified entity before international telecommunications bodies and multilateral organizations, with the federal Ministry of Communications serving as the sovereign representative. Regulatory Coordination & Operator Oversight: Addressing regulatory discrepancies stemming from the KRG’s direct ministerial oversight over regional mobile operators (including Korek Telecom), in contrast to the federal model where licensing and sector oversight are managed through an independent communications and media commission. Sanad confirmed his intention to lead an official delegation to Erbil following a formal written invitation extended by KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani during Sanad’s first week in office, which was reaffirmed during a visit to Baghdad by the KRG Minister of Transport and Communications. The upcoming ministerial meetings aim to finalize an integrated operational framework for cross-border fiber traffic, harmonize telecom licensing standards, and establish joint technical committees to oversee spectrum readiness for 5G network integration.