Iraq Telecoms, 2-3 November 2010, with 36 speakers, over 300 senior telecoms industry experts and 21 sponsoring companies was a huge gathering of all the telecoms stakeholders investing in the Iraqi telecommunications industry.
The rich programme touched on topics such as the role of new technologies, how telecommunications fulfils the requirements of business in Iraq and the solutions for the networks, as well as government strategies and infrastructure requirements.
His Excellency Engineer Farook Abdulqadir Abdulrahman, Minister of Telecoms discussed the ministry's future direction and strategy for encouraging partnerships in order to expedite the rebuilding of the infrastructure.
His Excellency Engineer Mohammed Tawfik Allawi, Former Minister of Communications, now Member of Parliament, shared the views of the Iraqi Parliament for telecom related issues and explained the progress of the Iraqi telecom law. All stakeholders are encouraged to submit their views and comments to finalize the draft for approvals.
A large delegation from the Iraqi Government, representing the Ministry of Communication and the Ministry of Science and Technology, presented the various projects and updated companies on major concerns related to fiber status, Ministry Wireless WLL network, telecom partnerships, international gateways status and worldwide connectivity.
In response to multiple demands the ministry also announced a review of pricing in general and fiber, to be specific, in order to provide all telecom companies advanced infrastructure at the highest quality and full redundancy.
The Kurdistan Regional Government delegation addressed the Kurdish Experience, and the models that can be expanded across Iraq.
Iraqi Mobile and Wireless operators represented by Emad Makiya, CEO of Zain Iraq, Faruk Mustafa Rasool, Chairman of Asiacell and Humam Amara, CEO of Korek Telecoms, presented an update of their network deployment and operations status.
The major concern is jamming, this causes services interruptions and massive loss of revenue; many solutions discussed and it was agreed to have a team work in order to reach technical solutions.
International consultants and global vendors stressed that Telecoms networks have a direct impact on countries economic position.
Conference Chair Mr Asaad Y Alnajjar, President - CSO of VoEx International stated, "This is by far the best of the 5 year series of Iraqi Telecom Conferences and has delivered solid results, beneficial conclusions and meaningful answers to many of the challenging questions and grievances that network operators and telecom stakeholders had. Few items for complexity nature were not colpleted but will be addressed through a series of monthly meeting by the Ministry of Communications. I expect the 2011 conference in Istanbul to be an event to look forward to and a must attend for all parties who wish to succeed in Iraq's telecom ventures. Many thanks to all CWC staff for a job well done and to Iraq's Ministry of Communications & ITPC staff for their continued support."
Iraq Telecoms 2010 is organized by the CWC Group Limited.