IQ Networks Turkey-Iraq broadband cable

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IQ Networks, a wholesale Internet provider based in the northern autonomous region of Kurdistan, aims to carry international traffic through Iraq to link Asia and Europe, boosting Iraq's hopes of becoming an international hub for Internet traffic despite the country's internal chaos. Iraq relies heavily on Kurdistan for Internet connectivity after Baghdad's insistence on state control of fixed infrastructure within its jurisdiction stifled development and spooked private investors. The government also segregates networks carrying transit and locally-destined traffic. IQ Networks began in 2010 to build the transit-only fibre network connecting Iraq with Turkey, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Syria, plus submarine cables landing near Basra on Iraq's Gulf coast. The project has faced numerous hurdles. It was cancelled in 2011 and awarded to another company before that decision was reversed in 2013. Under a deal with Baghdad, IQ Networks be granted a 15-year renewable licence to operate the network but will hand ownership of the cable outside of Kurdistan to state-owned Iraq Telecommunications and Post Company (ITPC) and will pay 26 percent of all revenue to the government. Sponsor needs to be added: IQ Networks