From Communications Disputes to Starlink: Minister of Communications Mustafa Sanad Opens Smuggling, Infrastructure, and New Generation Files in the Eighth Baghdad Dialog

During his participation in the second session of the second day of the eighth Baghdad Dialog Conference, Minister of Communications Mustafa Sanad addressed a number of files related to the communications sector and new generation technology, talking about the role of the ministry and the differences within it and the absence of a special law regulating its work, as well as the problems of dialog with the Media and Communications Authority, smuggling files, infrastructure and competition between companies, in addition to Earthlink and Starlink and the future of cooperation in the communications sector.

Ministry and Dialog: Addressing Disputes with Understanding

"The role of the ministry has recently emerged," Sanad said, pointing to "differences within the ministry and the absence of a special law regulating its work." He stressed the importance of dialog and understanding with the Media and Communications Commission to address problems and achieve achievements in files related to communications and modern technologies. 

"The absence of dialog and the lack of concessions to solve problems are behind many problems," Sanad said, noting that "dialog sessions can contribute to addressing differences," stressing that "agreement and cooperation between the parties concerned can open the way for the development of the communications sector in Iraq."

Smuggling: Billions Off the Official Track

And in the smuggling file, the Minister of Communications confirmed that "the smuggling file costs Iraq billions of dinars," pointing out that "smuggling networks cause losses estimated at 250 billion dinars," in the context of talking about the challenges facing the telecommunications sector and its organization.

Companies and infrastructure... an escalating competition

And regarding companies operating in the sector, Sanad explained that "IQ, a Kurdish company, is working in a number of provinces well," noting that "there are infrastructure in the Kurdistan region that the ministry cannot access."

He pointed out that "competition has increased in recent days between companies operating in the telecommunications sector," stressing that "the nature of the market requires addressing the existing problems and regulating the relationship between the various actors operating in the sector. 

He stressed "the need for the ministry to intervene to solve the problem of Earthlink in the provinces of Anbar and Mosul," pointing out that "there are two competing companies in each province and the problems facing companies must be addressed to ensure the continuation and development of services." 

Earthlink and Starlink... the partners of the next stage

"Earthlink and other entities represent the ministry's partners at the current stage, but Starlink will be its partner within two years," Sanad said. 

He stressed that "the agreement and cooperation between the parties can open the way for the development of the communications sector and the launch of new technologies and services in Iraq," stressing "the importance of joint work in keeping pace with the transformations witnessed by the communications sector and the technology of the new generation."

Sanad's participation came during the second session of the second day of the 8th Baghdad Dialog Conference, which was held in partnership with the Media and Communications Commission, and was entitled "Communications and New Generation Technology between Regional Transformations and the Digital Information Conflict" and was moderated by the media Mona Sami, with the participation of the President of the Media and Communications Commission, Mr. Baligh Abu Kalal, and the CEO of Earthlink and the President of Fiber Optics in the Middle East and North Africa, Mr. Alaa Jassim.