Telecommunication systems Iraq, in 35 editions.

good reconstitution of damaged telecommunication infrastructure began after
Desert Storm; the network consists of coaxial cables, radio relay links, cables and radiocommunication stations; microwave links;
632,000 telephones; stations--9 the network is operational; broadcast stations - 16 AM,
1 FM, 81 13 TV; satellite earth stations--1 stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian
Ocean INTELSAT, 1 GORIZONT Atlantic Ocean in the Intersputnik system; system and 1
ARABSAT; coaxial cable and radio relay microwave to Kuwait, Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey

reconstitution of damaged telecommunication infrastructure facilities began after
Desert Storm;
Storm, most damaged facilities have been rebuilt; the network consists of
coaxial cables and microwave radio relay links;
632,000 telephones; the network is operational;
broadcast stations - 16 AM,
1 FM, 13 TV; satellite earth stations - 1
Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian
Ocean INTELSAT, 1 GORIZONT Atlantic Ocean GORIZONT
in the Intersputnik system and 1
ARABSAT; coaxial cable and microwave radio
relay to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey Turkey, Kuwait line is probably
non-operational

reconstitution of damaged telecommunication facilities began after Desert
Desert Storm, most damaged facilities have been rebuilt; the network
consists of
coaxial cables and microwave radio relay links; 632,000 telephones;
telephones; broadcast stations - 16 AM, 1 FM, 13 TV; satellite earth
stations - 1
Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1
Atlantic Ocean GORIZONT
in the Intersputnik system and 1 ARABSAT;
coaxial cable and microwave radio
relay to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and
Turkey, Kuwait line is probably
non-operational

632,000 telephones; reconstitution of damaged
telecommunication facilities began after
Desert Storm, the Gulf war; most damaged
facilities have been rebuilt; rebuilt
local: NA
intercity: the network
consists of coaxial cables and microwave radio relay links; 632,000
telephones; broadcast stations - 16 AM, 1 FM, 13 TV; satellite earth relay links
stations - 1 international: 2 INTELSAT (1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, and 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, Ocean), 1
Atlantic Ocean GORIZONT (Atlantic Ocean) in the Intersputnik system system, and 1 ARABSAT; ARABSAT
earth station; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Jordan,
Kuwait, Syria, and
Turkey, Turkey; Kuwait line is probably non-operational

632,000 telephones; reconstitution of damaged
telecommunication
facilities began after the Gulf war; most damaged
facilities have
been rebuilt
local: NA
intercity: domestic: the network consists of coaxial cables and microwave radio
relay links
international: satellite earth stations - 2 INTELSAT Intelsat (1 Atlantic
Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1
GORIZONT (Atlantic Ocean) in the Intersputnik system, (Atlantic Ocean Region)
and 1 ARABSAT
earth station; Arabsat; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Jordan,
Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; Kuwait line is probably non-operational nonoperational

reconstitution of damaged telecommunication
facilities began after the Gulf war; most damaged facilities have
been
rebuilt
domestic: the network consists of coaxial cables and microwave radio
relay links
international: international : satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic
Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region)
and
1 Arabsat; Arabsat (inoperative); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Jordan,
Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; Kuwait line is probably
nonoperational

reconstitution of damaged telecommunication
facilities began after the Gulf war; most damaged facilities have been
rebuilt
domestic: the network consists of coaxial cables and microwave radio
relay links
international : international: satellite earth stations - 2 stations-2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic
Ocean
and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region) region) and
1
Arabsat (inoperative); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to
Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; Kuwait line is probably
nonoperational

reconstitution of damaged telecommunication
facilities began after the Gulf war; most damaged facilities have been
been rebuilt
domestic: the network consists of coaxial cables and microwave radio
relay links
international: satellite earth stations-2 stations--2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean
and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) and 1
Arabsat (inoperative); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to
Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; Kuwait line is probably
nonoperational

reconstitution of damaged telecommunication
facilities began after the Gulf war; most damaged facilities have
been rebuilt
domestic: the network consists of coaxial cables and microwave radio
relay links
international: satellite earth stations--2 stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean
and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) and 1
Arabsat (inoperative); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to
Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; Kuwait line is probably
nonoperational

general assessment: reconstitution of damaged telecommunication facilities began after the Gulf war; most damaged facilities have been rebuilt
domestic: the network consists of coaxial cables and microwave radio relay links
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) region), and 1 Arabsat (inoperative); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; Kuwait line is probably nonoperational

general assessment: reconstitution of damaged telecommunication facilities began after the Gulf war; most damaged facilities have been rebuilt
domestic: the network consists of coaxial cables and microwave radio relay links
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Arabsat (inoperative); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; Kuwait line is probably nonoperational

general assessment: reconstitution an unknown number of damaged telecommunication facilities began after the Gulf war; most were damaged facilities have been rebuilt during the March-April 2003 war
domestic: the network consists of coaxial cables and microwave radio relay links
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Arabsat (inoperative); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; Kuwait line is probably nonoperational

general assessment: an unknown number of telecommunication facilities were damaged during the March-April 2003 war
domestic: severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq including international connections; USAID is overseeing the network consists repair of coaxial cables switching capability and microwave radio relay links the construction of mobile and satellite communications facilities
domestic: repairs to switches and lines destroyed in the recent fighting continue but sabotage remains a problem; cellular service is expected to be in place within two years
international: country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Arabsat (inoperative); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; Kuwait line is probably nonoperational

general assessment: the 2003 war severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq including international connections; USAID is overseeing the repair of switching capability and the construction of mobile and satellite communications communication facilities
domestic: repairs to switches and lines destroyed in the recent fighting continue continue, but sabotage remains a problem; cellular service is expected to be in place within two years
international: country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Arabsat (inoperative); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; Kuwait line is probably nonoperational

general assessment: the 2003 war severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq including international connections; USAID is overseeing the repair of switching capability and the construction of mobile and satellite communication facilities
domestic: repairs to switches and lines destroyed in during the recent fighting 2003 war continue, but sabotage remains a problem; additional switching capacity is improving access; cellular service is expected to be in place within two years available and centered on three regional GSM networks, improving country-wide connectivity
international: country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Arabsat (inoperative); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; Kuwait line is probably nonoperational despite a new satellite gateway, international calls outside of Baghdad remain problematic

general assessment: the aftermath of the liberation of Iraq in 2003 war severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq including international connections; USAID is overseeing the repair of repaired switching capability capabilities and the construction of constructed a mobile and satellite communication facilities facility; landlines now exceed pre-war levels
domestic: repairs to switches and lines destroyed during the 2003 war continue, have been completed, but sabotage remains a problem; additional switching capacity is improving access; cellular service is widely available in major cities and centered on three 3 regional GSM networks, improving country-wide connectivity connectivity; there are currently 8.7 million users of cellular services
international: country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Arabsat (inoperative); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; despite a new satellite gateway, international calls outside of Baghdad remain are sometimes problematic (2006)

general assessment: the aftermath of the 2003 liberation of Iraq in 2003 severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq including international connections; USAID repaired switching capabilities widespread government efforts to rebuild domestic and constructed a international communications through fiber optic links are in progress; the mobile and satellite communication facility; landlines now exceed pre-war levels cellular market has expanded rapidly with an estimated 14 million current users in 2007
domestic: repairs to switches and lines destroyed during 2003 have been completed, but sabotage remains a problem; continue; additional switching capacity is improving access; cellular service is widely available in major cities and centered on 3 regional GSM networks, networks which are being expanded beyond their regional roots, improving country-wide connectivity; there are currently 8.7 million users wireless local loop licenses have been issued with the hope of cellular services overcoming the lack of fixed-line infrastructure
international: country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 2 4 (2 Intelsat (1 - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), Ocean, 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic - Atlantic Ocean region), region, and 1 Arabsat (inoperative); coaxial cable and (inoperative)); local microwave radio relay connects border regions to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; despite a new satellite gateway, planned international calls outside of Baghdad are sometimes problematic (2006) fiber-optic connections to Iran (terrestrial) with a link to the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine fiber-optic cable (2007)

general assessment:
the 2003 liberation of Iraq severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq including international connections; widespread government efforts to rebuild domestic and international communications through fiber optic links are in progress; the mobile cellular market has expanded rapidly with an estimated 14 and its subscribership base approached 18 million current users in 2007 2008
domestic:
repairs to switches and lines destroyed during 2003 continue; additional switching capacity is improving access; cellular service is available and centered on 3 GSM networks which are being expanded beyond their regional roots, improving country-wide connectivity; wireless local loop licenses have been issued with the hope of overcoming the lack of fixed-line infrastructure
international:
country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region, and 1 Arabsat (inoperative)); local microwave radio relay connects border regions to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; planned international fiber-optic connections to Iran (terrestrial) with a link to the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine fiber-optic cable (2007) (2008)

general assessment:
the 2003 liberation of Iraq severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq including international connections; widespread government efforts to rebuild domestic and international communications through fiber optic links are in progress; the mobile cellular market has expanded rapidly and its subscribership base approached 18 million in 2008 is expected to continue increasing rapidly
domestic:
repairs to switches and lines destroyed during 2003 continue; additional switching capacity is improving access; cellular mobile-cellular service is available and centered on 3 GSM networks which are being expanded beyond their regional roots, improving country-wide connectivity; wireless local loop is available in some metropolitan areas and additional licenses have been issued with the hope of overcoming the lack of fixed-line infrastructure
international:
country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region, and 1 Arabsat (inoperative)); local microwave radio relay connects border regions to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; planned international terrestrial fiber-optic connections have been established with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Kuwait with planned connections to Iran (terrestrial) with and Jordan; a link to the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine fiber-optic cable (2008) is planned (2009)

general assessment:
the 2003 liberation of Iraq severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq including international connections; widespread government efforts to rebuild domestic and international communications through fiber optic links are in progress; the mobile cellular market has expanded rapidly and its subscribership base is expected to continue increasing rapidly some 27 million subscribers by the end of 2012
domestic:
repairs to switches and lines destroyed during 2003 continue; additional switching capacity is improving access; mobile-cellular service is available and centered on 3 GSM networks which are being operators since 2007 have expanded beyond their regional roots, improving roots and offer near country-wide connectivity; access to second-generation services; third-generation mobile services are not available nationwide; wireless local loop is available in some metropolitan areas and additional licenses have been issued with the hope of overcoming the lack of fixed-line infrastructure
international:
country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region, and 1 Arabsat (inoperative)); local microwave radio relay connects border regions to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; international terrestrial fiber-optic connections have been established with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Kuwait with planned connections to Iran Kuwait, Jordan, and Jordan; a link Iran; links to the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and the Gulf Bridge International (GBI) submarine fiber-optic cable is cables are planned (2009)

general assessment:
the 2003 liberation of Iraq severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq including international connections; widespread government efforts to rebuild domestic and international communications through fiber optic links are in progress; the mobile cellular market has expanded rapidly to some 27 million subscribers by the end of 2012
domestic:
repairs to switches and lines destroyed during 2003 continue; additional switching capacity is improving access; 3 GSM operators since 2007 have expanded beyond their regional roots and offer near country-wide access to second-generation services; third-generation mobile services are not available nationwide; wireless local loop is available in some metropolitan areas and additional licenses have been issued with the hope of overcoming the lack of fixed-line infrastructure
international:
country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region, and 1 Arabsat (inoperative)); local microwave radio relay connects border regions to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; international terrestrial fiber-optic connections have been established with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kuwait, Jordan, and Iran; links to the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and the Gulf Bridge International (GBI) submarine fiber-optic cables are planned have been established (2011)

general assessment:
the 2003 liberation of Iraq severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq including international connections; widespread government efforts to rebuild domestic and international communications through fiber optic links are in progress; the mobile cellular market has expanded rapidly to some 27 million subscribers by the end of 2012
domestic:
repairs to switches and lines destroyed during 2003 continue; additional switching capacity is improving access; 3 GSM operators since 2007 have expanded beyond their regional roots and offer near country-wide access to second-generation services; third-generation mobile services are not available nationwide; wireless local loop is available in some metropolitan areas and additional licenses have been issued with the hope of overcoming the lack of fixed-line infrastructure
international:
country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region, and 1 Arabsat (inoperative)); local microwave radio relay connects border regions to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; international terrestrial fiber-optic connections have been established with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kuwait, Jordan, and Iran; links to the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and the Gulf Bridge International (GBI) submarine fiber-optic cables have been established (2011)

general assessment: the 2003 liberation of Iraq severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq including international connections; Iraq; widespread government efforts to rebuild domestic and international communications through fiber optic links are in progress; have slowed due to the ongoing conflict with ISIL
domestic: the mobile cellular market expanded rapidly continues to some 27 million subscribers by the end of 2012
domestic: repairs expand (cell phones were banned prior to switches and lines destroyed during 2003 continue; additional switching capacity is improving access; 3 GSM operators since 2007 have expanded beyond their regional roots and offer near country-wide access to second-generation services; third-generation mobile under the SADDAM regime); 3G services are not available nationwide; wireless local loop is available offered by three major mobile operators in some metropolitan areas and additional licenses have been issued with the hope of overcoming the lack of fixed-line 2015; ongoing conflict has destroyed infrastructure in areas
international: country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region, and 1 Arabsat (inoperative)); local microwave radio relay connects border regions to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; international terrestrial fiber-optic connections have been established with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kuwait, Jordan, and Iran; links to the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and the Gulf Bridge International (GBI) submarine fiber-optic cables have been established (2011) (2015)

general assessment: the 2003 liberation of Iraq severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq; widespread government efforts to rebuild domestic and international communications have slowed due to the ongoing conflict with ISIL ISIS/ISIL
domestic: the mobile cellular market continues to expand (cell phones were banned prior to 2003 under the SADDAM regime); 3G services offered by three major mobile operators in 2015; ongoing conflict has destroyed infrastructure in areas
international: country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region, and 1 Arabsat (inoperative)); local microwave radio relay connects border regions to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; international terrestrial fiber-optic connections have been established with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kuwait, Jordan, and Iran; links to the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and the Gulf Bridge International (GBI) submarine fiber-optic cables have been established (2015) (2017)

general assessment: the 2003 liberation of Iraq severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq; widespread government efforts to rebuild domestic and international communications have slowed due to political unrest; 2018 showed signs of stability and installations of new fibre-optic cables and growth in mobile broadband subscribers; the ongoing conflict with ISIS/ISIL most popular plans are pre-paid (2017)
domestic: the mobile cellular market continues to expand (cell phones were banned prior to 2003 under the SADDAM regime); expand; 3G services offered by three major mobile operators in 2015; ongoing operators; conflict has destroyed infrastructure in areas areas; 7 per 100 for fixed-line and 85 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2017)
international: country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region, and 1 Arabsat (inoperative)); local microwave radio relay connects border regions to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; international terrestrial fiber-optic connections have been established with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kuwait, Jordan, and Iran; links to the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and the Gulf Bridge International (GBI) submarine fiber-optic cables have been established (2017)

general assessment: the 2003 liberation of Iraq severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq; widespread government efforts to rebuild domestic and international communications have slowed due to political unrest; 2018 showed signs of stability and installations of new fibre-optic cables and growth in mobile broadband subscribers; the most popular plans are pre-paid (2017) (2018)
domestic: the mobile cellular market continues to expand; 3G services offered by three major mobile operators; 4G offered by one operator in Iraqi Kurdistan Region; conflict has destroyed infrastructure in areas; 7 per 100 for fixed-line and 85 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2017) (2018)
international: country code - 964; landing points for FALCON, and GBICS/MENA submarine cables providing connections to the Middle East, Africa and India; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region, and 1 Arabsat (inoperative)); local microwave radio relay connects border regions to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; international terrestrial fiber-optic connections have been established with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kuwait, Jordan, and Iran; links to the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and the Gulf Bridge International (GBI) submarine fiber-optic cables have been established (2017) Turkey (2019)

general assessment: the 2003 liberation of Iraq severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq; widespread government efforts to rebuild domestic and international communications have slowed due to political unrest; 2018 showed signs of stability and installations of new fibre-optic fiber-optic cables and growth in mobile broadband subscribers; the most popular plans are pre-paid (2018) pre-paid; 3 major operators in mobile sector preparing 4G and even 5G technologies; operators focused on fixing and replacing networks damaged during civil war (2020)
domestic: the mobile cellular market continues to expand; 3G services offered by three major mobile operators; 4G offered by one operator in Iraqi Kurdistan Region; Iraqi; conflict has destroyed infrastructure in areas; 7 per 100 for fixed-line and 85 95 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2018) (2019)
international: country code - 964; landing points for FALCON, and GBICS/MENA submarine cables providing connections to the Middle East, Africa and India; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region, and 1 Arabsat (inoperative)); local microwave radio relay connects border regions to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey (2019)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated

general assessment: the 2003 liberation of Iraq severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq; the country; widespread government efforts to rebuild domestic and international communications have slowed due to political unrest; 2018 showed signs of recent efforts create stability and developments in 4G and 5G technologies; operators focus on installations of new fiber-optic cables and growth in mobile broadband subscribers; the most popular plans are pre-paid; 3 major operators in mobile sector preparing 4G and even 5G technologies; operators focused on fixing and replacing networks damaged during civil war (2020)
domestic: the mobile cellular market continues to expand; 3G services offered by three major mobile operators; 4G offered by one operator in Iraqi; conflict has destroyed infrastructure in areas; 7 per 100 for fixed-line and 95 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2019)
international: country code - 964; landing points for FALCON, and GBICS/MENA submarine cables providing connections to the Middle East, Africa and India; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region, and 1 Arabsat (inoperative)); local microwave radio relay connects border regions to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey (2019)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect consequent restriction on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable services as a tool for work and satellite - has moderated school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

general assessment: the 2003 liberation of Iraq severely disrupted telecommunications throughout the country; widespread government efforts to rebuild domestic and international communications have slowed due continues to face a number of political unrest; recent efforts create stability and developments in 4G economic challenges, though increasing civil stability has made it easier for mobile and 5G technologies; fixed-line operators focus on installations of new fiber-optic cables to rebuild telecom services and growth infrastructure damaged during the last few years; the government extended the licenses held by the MNOs for an additional three years to compensate for the chaos and destruction caused between 2014 and 2017 when Islamic State held sway in mobile broadband subscribers; many areas of the country; the companies have struggled to develop LTE services; most popular plans services are pre-paid; operators focused still based on fixing GSM and replacing networks (2020) 3G, except in the Kurdish region where LTE is more widely available (2022)
domestic: the mobile cellular market continues to expand; 3G services offered by three major mobile operators; 4G offered by one operator in Iraqi; conflict has destroyed infrastructure in areas; about 7 per 100 for fixed-line and 95 93 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2019) (2020)
international: country code - 964; landing points for FALCON, and GBICS/MENA submarine cables providing connections to the Middle East, Africa and India; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region, and 1 Arabsat (inoperative)); local microwave radio relay connects border regions to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards toward 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and has increased due to the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became is still evident, and received some support from governments the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services

general assessment: Iraq continues to face a number of political and economic challenges, though increasing civil stability has made it easier for mobile and fixed-line operators to rebuild telecom services and infrastructure damaged during the last few years; previous periods of violence; the government extended the licenses held by the MNOs for an additional three years to compensate for the chaos and destruction caused between 2014 and 2017 when Islamic State held sway in controlled many areas of the country; the companies have struggled to develop LTE services; most services are still based on GSM and 3G, except in the Kurdish Iraq's Kurdistan region where LTE is more widely available (2022)
domestic: about 7 per 100 for fixed-line and 93 86 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2020) (2021)
international: country code - 964; landing points for FALCON, and GBICS/MENA submarine cables providing connections to the Middle East, Africa and India; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region, and 1 Arabsat (inoperative)); local microwave radio relay connects border regions to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services