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Korek aims to launch Iraqi 3G in 2012
19 March 2012
Iraqi operator Korek hopes 3G launch will help attract customers from Zain and Asiacell
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Iraq
Korek
3G
France Telecom
Zain
Asiacell
Qtel
Iraqi operator Korek Telecom aims to launch a 3G network in 2012, and is awaiting the government’s release of the required spectrum, according to reports from the region.
Ghada Gebara, CEO of Korek Telecom, told the Gulf News: “We already have the right to use any technology we want in our licence. The idea is to get the right frequency.”
Iraq’s government has not decided whether to charge a fee for new spectrum, which could lead to increased tariffs and discourage investment in new technologies, said the report.
Although Korek — partly owned by France Telecom — holds 70% market share in Iraq’s Kurdish region, it has only a 13% share of total Iraqi mobile subscribers. The 3G launch may help the operator attract customers from 2G operators Zain Iraq and Qatar Telecom’s Asiacell.
Korek, Zain Iraq and Asiacell failed to meet the August 2011 deadline to launch IPOs to sell 25% of their shares, one of the conditions for the $1.25 billion licences issued to them in 2007. GTB
Further reading from Global Telecoms Business:
Qtel plans increasing stake in Asiacell 20 Jan 2012
Gulf cable system nears completion 29 Nov 2011
Ericsson to upgrade Zain Iraq's network 24 Nov 2011
Iraqi operators 'to launch IPOs in 2012' 10 Oct 2011