Telecommunications in Iraq - Telephone System

Telephone System

The 2003 Iraq 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 facilities.

Main telephone lines in use: 833,000 (as of 2005)
Number of mobile cellular phones: 9,000,000 (as of 2005)
Domestic telephone network: Repairs to switches and lines have been made. Cellular service has been in place since 2004, and though service is still spotty in some locations, it is expected to improve.
USA Today from 2005 about Iraq and its telecommunications Iraqna, an Orascom Telecom company, is the biggest GSM cellular service provider in Iraq.

International connections:

  • 2 Intelsat satellite earth stations (1 Atlantic Ocean region, 1 Indian Ocean region)
  • 1 Intersputnik satellite earth station (Atlantic Ocean region)
  • 1 Arabsat satellite earth station (inoperative)
  • Coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey (the line to Kuwait is probably not operational)

see Telephone numbers in Iraq

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