The Iraq International Exhibition and Conference for Information Technology and Communications (ITEX) officially opened today, Wednesday, with broad official participation and local, Arab, and international companies specializing in the fields of digital transformation and technology.
Blaigh Abu Kallal, the head of the executive body at the Communications and Media Commission, stated in a speech at the ceremony, attended by Video News Agency, two clear conditions for the return of the Korek Company to work and completing its legal settlement procedures. He explained that the state does not solely create its resources; rather, it is its ability to leverage technology for the benefit of humans and development. He emphasized that communications are part of the modern sovereign infrastructure and that investing in it is fundamental for digital transformation and developing education, health, commerce, energy, government services, and enhancing Iraq's ability to grow and compete.
Abu Kallal added that the measure of success is the stable calls and good internet service accessible to the citizen, noting that expanding coverage is linked to improving quality, data speed, network stability, and developing measurement and monitoring tools to follow up on company performance, as the sustainability and fairness of service in all areas are a shared responsibility.
He further stated that investment needs stable and clear rules, and users require options and protection. The role of the commission is to protect competition, not to favor any company or apply legal, contractual, and regulatory obligations fairly, emphasizing work to enhance competition and amend the entry of a new national operator and complete the licensing procedures for Al-Salam Company after settling the legal and judicial paths.
He pointed out that fiber optics are the foundation of high-speed internet, data centers, cloud services, e-government, and artificial intelligence, appreciating the efforts of the Ministry of Communications, the private sector, and coordination to expand and develop infrastructure. He confirmed that Starlink service has already begun in Iraq, transitioning from the licensing process to providing service and expanding options while preparing the regulatory and technical requirements for 5G according to the country's needs.
On his part, Mohammad Al-Khateeb, the General Director of Networks and Low Voltage Solutions at Qatari Company Mannaa, told Video News Agency that Mannaa has been present in the market for 75 years, and this is their second year participating in the Iraq ITEX exhibition based on the numerous facilities and benefits noticed during the first participation.
He noted that the company has been officially registered in the Iraqi market with local staff to provide its expertise to the government and the Iraqi people in digital transformation and automation.
Furthermore, the Technical Director of the Internet Exchange Points Project, Os Hussein, told Video News Agency that the Iraqi Internet Exchange Points project was established in partnership with the Iraqi Ministry of Communications to provide global content within the country and convert international capacities into local capacities to improve the user experience.
He confirmed that the project is technically present in 8 global data centers within Iraq to meet customer needs and provide the best experience for the end user.