iQ Networks and OFN Signed Iraq Fibre Deal
The companies have partnered to create a high-capacity terrestrial fiber route connecting the Gulf to Europe.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Data Centers
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iQ Networks and OFN, a subsidiary of Ooredoo Group, have finalized an agreement to build a high-capacity fiber connection across Iraq. This terrestrial network will link Gulf and Asian connectivity hubs to Turkey and Europe.
Why it matters
Rising international bandwidth requirements driven by the expansion of artificial intelligence and cloud computing infrastructure have necessitated the construction of these new digital transit routes.
The Fibre in Gulf (FIG) subsea cable system features 24 fibre pairs capable of supporting a total bandwidth capacity of up to 720 terabits per second.
The players
iQ Networks
This organization provides terrestrial infrastructure services and fiber connectivity solutions within the Middle East.
OFN
This company is a subsidiary of the Ooredoo Group that focuses on telecommunications and international network connectivity.
Ooredoo Group
This is a major international telecommunications conglomerate based in Doha, Qatar.
Iraqi Telecommunications and Post Company
This is the state-run entity responsible for managing telecommunications and postal infrastructure within Iraq.
The details
OFN will purchase dark fibre pairs from iQ Networks, utilizing their terrestrial infrastructure to bridge the gap between subsea systems and northern international gateways. The project integrates with the Fibre in Gulf cable to establish a continuous high-speed pathway for data traffic.
Timeline
The agreement was formally signed on October 7, 2026.
The Tech Race
This terrestrial expansion represents a critical step in the ongoing global effort to eliminate latency bottlenecks between emerging Asian markets and Western data centers. It signals a move away from relying solely on established, congested routes in favor of diversified, high-capacity land-based corridors.
For users and developers, this increased bandwidth capacity will likely result in lower latency for cloud services and artificial intelligence platforms that rely on international data transit. Improvements to these cross-continental links help ensure that global web applications remain responsive as traffic demands continue to surge.
The takeaway
Reliable international data transit is becoming a foundational requirement for the modern digital economy. Companies and consumers alike should expect continued investment in terrestrial fiber networks to keep pace with global data consumption trends.
Further reading
For more information on the infrastructure supporting global connectivity, visit our Data Centers section.
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