Baghdad – WAA
Today, Wednesday, Minister of Communications Hiyam Al-Yasiri explained the mechanism for contracting for landing the submarine cable, and while she indicated that this will maximize the state’s resources, she confirmed that the cable contracts will improve the internet service in Iraq.
Al-Yasiri told the (INA): “A contract was recently signed between the Gulf Marine Cables Company, owned by the Saudi company (FCC), and the General Company for Communications and Information Technology, one of the formations of the Ministry of Communications,” noting that “the contract includes landing a third marine cable for Iraq at the Al-Faw station after the two marine cables (GPI) and (Five Cone),” indicating that “the third cable is known as (Two Africa).”
She added, “This cable is present in 47 international landing stations in various countries of the world,” noting that “sea cables are essential cables for transmitting Internet communications across different countries of the world through the seas across continents.”
She stated, “Laying the cable in Al-Faw means enabling it to transmit international communications to various participating global companies through Iraq,” explaining that “this will contribute to improving the Internet service in Iraq and reducing its prices.”
She stated, “Some types of communications will pass through Iraq in transit to Europe via Turkey, and this will contribute to maximizing resources in addition to contributing to the economic and security stability in the country, considering that the interests of major countries pass through Iraq.” She explained, “Iraq will not incur any financial costs for landing the submarine cable, but on the contrary, one million dollars were paid in advance in exchange for signing the contract, which will go into the Iraqi treasury so that implementation can begin immediately.”
She stated, “The waters of the Shatt al-Arab and the waters of Al-Faw are shallow waters, as the cable is buried 200 meters under the water, and this requires a survey of the area surrounding Al-Faw to find out if there are rubble, mines, or other things, and this requires moving some ships and using some modern mechanisms and technology to survey the area,” explaining, “The company contracting with us will start doing this immediately and it will not require any effort or supplies from us.”
She confirmed, “After the area is surveyed, the stages of lowering the cable will begin. It is expected and planned that in the first quarter of next year or the second quarter, the cable will be lowered at the Al-Faw station.”