ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraqi Communications Minister Mustafa Jabbar Sanad told reporters Saturday that he is set to visit the Kurdistan Region, and discuss the launch of 5G services with Kurdish authorities, so that the process can begin jointly in Baghdad and Erbil.

5G is the fifth generation of mobile network technology, allowing much faster speeds, lower latency, and the ability to connect to more devices at the same time compared with the previous 4G.

Sanad said that during the visit, set for next week, “we will discuss the activation of fourth-generation mobile network licences and fifth-generation (5G) services, so that both processes begin jointly and simultaneously in Baghdad and Erbil,” adding that a joint representation has been formed to work with global companies.

The move comes as the country expands its internet options for citizens, including the launch of Starlink services in July.

Discussions are also set to include a cable transit route from Basra to Europe, which passes through the Kurdistan Region, the minister said, adding that they want to increase cooperation with companies in the Region to show a united front with the international community.

In March 2025, Baghdad approved the establishment of a national mobile firm to run a 5G network in collaboration with Vodafone, which signed a 6 million euro deal with the communications ministry.

Due to disputes between the Communications and Media Commission (CMC) and the ministry, the government suspended the deal.

In January, Iraqi lawmaker Mohammed Jassim al-Khafaji said the disagreement was related to the implementation mechanisms for operating the 5G network.