Iraq to Fine All Three Mobile Networks Over License Breaches

Iraq's three mobile phone networks all face fines from the government for apparently failing to meet conditions in their network licenses - reports Middle East Economic Digest (MEED). All three networks have failed to meet QoS requirements, while Korek Telecom has been censured for failing to meet coverage requirements.

The smallest operator, Korek Telecom has a national license, but coverage which is limited to mainly the Northern region of the country. An expansion to national coverage would need the financial muscle of an outside partner - which has lead to recent rumours that Etisalat is in talks to take a stake in the firm.

"Asiacell is bad and Zain is very bad," Hayam al-Yasiri, an adviser to the Telecommunications Ministry told MEED. "Korek is breaching the licence because of the coverage and the service. Korek up to this moment does not cover many cities, although according to the licence they should cover them."

The decision on the fines is expected before the end of the year.

On the web: MEED

Posted to the site on 1st December 2008