Qatar-based Ooredoo Group has announced a strategic collaboration with the Iraqi Telecommunications and Post Company (ITPC) to bring the Fiber in Gulf (FIG) subsea cable to Iraq.
The FIG cable project aims to connect all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, along with Iraq. With a planned capacity of 720 Tbps across 24 fiber pairs, the initiative is poised to surpass the combined capacity of all existing and planned Gulf cables.
Dr. Hayam Al-Yasiri, Iraqi Minister of Communications, highlighted that the FIG cable aims to strengthen Iraq’s position as a key data transit point between Asia and Europe, alongside advancements in modern technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Al-Yasiri stated, “This will drive new opportunities for growth, innovation, and global integration.”
Meanwhile, Ooredoo Group’s regional CEO, Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Bin Nasser Al Thani, emphasized that the partnership is critical in advancing Iraq’s digital infrastructure and global data connectivity.
The FIG cable, constructed by Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), is expected to be ready for service in the fourth quarter of 2027.
