iQ Networks and GBI Sign Historic Fibre Deal in Iraq

On January 7th, iQ Networks, a subsidiary of the iQ Group, marked a historic milestone in Iraq’s telecommunications sector by signing the country’s first-ever Indefeasible Right of Use (IRU) dark fibre framework agreement with Gulf Bridge International (GBI). The signing ceremony, held in Baghdad, signals Iraq’s growing prominence as a critical hub for global digital connectivity.

The event took place in the presence of the Iraqi Ministry of Telecommunications, which partners with iQ through the Transit Route infrastructure. This collaboration further solidifies Iraq’s potential to serve as a crucial transit corridor for data traffic in the region and beyond.

A key highlight of the occasion was the celebration of surpassing 1 terabyte of capacity on the Silk Route Transit—a testament to iQ Networks’ robust and reliable infrastructure. This impressive milestone has attracted global companies, including GBI, to actively utilise this high-capacity route, while other firms remain in the testing phase.

Asoz Rashid, CEO of iQ Group, spoke about the broader implications of this achievement: “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.”

This achievement not only enhances Iraq’s digital infrastructure but also positions the country as a competitive player in the global data economy, offering reliable and scalable connectivity solutions for international clients.

Waseem Amjad, CEO of iQ Networks, stresseed the transformative nature of the accomplishment: “Reaching 1 terabyte of capacity is transformative for iQ. One key feature is its integration with global OTT (Over-The-Top) 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.”

Such advancements highlight the practical benefits of this milestone, ranging from improved content delivery and reduced latency to supporting AI advancements and faster regional financial transactions.

H.E. Eng. Essa Bin Hilal Al-Kuwari, Chairman of GBI, also expressed his enthusiasm about 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.”

GBI’s involvement strengthens the Silk Route Transit’s strategic value, reinforcing the connection between the Middle East and global data networks.

By establishing the Silk Route Transit, iQ Networks reaffirms its commitment to connecting Iraq with the world. This achievement not only creates new opportunities for innovation but also accelerates economic growth and digital transformation.

As Iraq continues its journey towards becoming a digital powerhouse, partnerships like this IRU dark fibre framework agreement are paving the way for a more connected and technology-driven future. The collaboration between iQ Networks and GBI represents a significant step forward in realising this vision.

Source: iQ Group