Vodafone’s Partner Markets division has entered into a consultancy agreement to support the creation and launch of a new 5G mobile operator in Iraq. The initiative, fully owned by the Iraqi government, aims to accelerate the country’s digital transformation.
The consultancy project includes a Statement of Work (SOW) signed between Vodafone and Iraq’s Ministry of Communications. Under the SOW, Vodafone will provide expertise in critical areas, including network design, commercial strategies, and a long-term growth plan to ensure the operator’s successful launch and operation.
Petr Dvorak, CEO of Vodafone’s Partner Markets division said, “The creation of a new government owned 5G operator will bring social and economic development to Iraq. Vodafone’s Partner Markets team has experience working with operators around the world to develop the latest network technology and commercial strategies; we will be able to bring that expertise to Iraq, including the design of the operator and creation of a sustainable management model, which will provide an opportunity to train and develop the skills of the young Iraqi talent.”
This development is part of Iraq's broader ambition to leverage 5G technology, the latest evolution in mobile networks. The adoption of 5G is expected to contribute significantly to economic growth, enhance business capabilities, and empower citizens to engage more fully in the global digital ecosystem.
“The launching of 5G technology will help the ICT sector, and other sectors in Iraq, to have digital inclusion, including health and education. This is one of the plans that the government is working heavily towards the country’s digital transformation,” stated Dr. Buraq A. Abdulkareem, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Communication Iraq.
Additionally, the two parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore further services that Vodafone could provide for the operator and to finalize an appropriate management model for the collaboration.
Supporting Emerging Markets
Vodafone, a leading telecom operator with over 330 million customers across 15 countries, operates a global Partner Markets team. This division specializes in forming strategic, non-equity partnerships with local operators to share expertise in telecom network design, operational efficiency, and customer service. Through these partnerships, Vodafone currently collaborates with operators in 46 countries, including several in the Middle East.
This new agreement highlights Vodafone’s commitment to supporting emerging markets in adopting advanced connectivity solutions and fostering digital growth.
