Iraqi operator iQ Networks says it has signed the country’s first dark fibre IRU framework agreement with Qatar-based subsea cable operator Gulf Bridge International (GBI), whilst also announcing its terrestrial transit network now has over 1 Tbps of capacity.
iQ Networks is building its “Silk Route Transit” fibre optic network, which – as the name implies – serves as a transit hub to link all neighbouring countries, including Turkey, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iran, to provide a terrestrial path between Europe and Asia.
GBI is already utilizing capacity on the Silk Route Transit route, as are a number of other companies, while others are in active testing phase, according to iQ Networks.
iQ Networks said the deal with GBI – which was signed in Baghdad last week – also marked the occasion of Silk Route Transit capacity surpassing 1 Tbps.
iQ Group CEO Asoz Rashid described the deal – which was signed in Baghdad last week – as a “pivotal move” to establishing Iraq as an essential telecoms hub.
“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,” he said in a statement.
iQ Networks CEO Waseem Amjad noted that one key feature of Silk Route Transit is its integration with global OTT peering.
“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,” he said. “In short, this will impact everyone.”