The Iraqi telecommunications market is forecasted to have a similar resemblance to Lebanon’s the civil war and right after its end for the next two years. Iraq will most likely have GSM networks given the regional context as well as the frequency allocation for the licensees.
The road to a stable, durable and democratic political future in Iraq will be thorny. The future stability and security of Iraq will depend on a true understanding of Iraq’s problems and the regional context.
The political context strongly affects the economic context in which telecom services are given. According to the Arab Advisors Group, at least in the short term, what is needed in Iraq is not just cellular services. Reliable data infrastructure and fixed services is sourly needed in Iraq to enable the development of a strong financial system to be a strong pillar in economic development.
It is still not decided whether the three new GSM licenses, whose RFPs will be issued shortly, will use CDMA or GSM that is used throughout the rest of the Middle East. The license tender requirements state that operators will be granted a license to utilize frequencies in 900 MHz bandwidth.
The Arab Advisors Group believes that the cellular technology to be used will be GSM since commercial CDMA technology typically utilizes frequencies in the 800 MHz band. Theoretically, CDMA as a technology can work on any frequency. However, it would cost a lot more if CDMA equipment is specifically ordered to work in the 900 MHz band. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
