Iran, Iraq Sign Telecoms Agreement

Iran’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mahmoud Vaezi met with his Iraqi counterpart in the Iranian capital on November 8, according to tech sources in Tehran.

Iraq’s Minister of Communications Hassan Al-Rashid led a delegation to Iran on Monday for a two-day business trip, local tech website ICTNA reported.

The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding for issuing permits for the use of Iraqi SIM cards in Iran.

“The SIM cards will be handed over to Iraqi tourists when they visit Iran,” Vaezi said.

The Iranian minister explained that the two sides will sustain cooperation in the area of cyber-defense, adding that one of the issues agreed upon by the two sides was to ease transit of parcels between the two countries using both air and land transport.

He added that the two sides have decided to launch direct calls and avoid the use of European digital switchboards.

Vaezi noted that the two countries have created a joint committee to follow up on the terms of the agreement later in the year.

“The two sides will also work to improve international roaming and enhance signals,” he said.

Tens of thousands of Iranian pilgrims travel to Karbala in Iraq annually to mark Arbaeen, also known as Chehlom, to commemorate the end of the 40-day mourning anniversary related to the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH), Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) grandson, in a battle in 680 AD. This year, the event falls on November 20.

Vaezi said proper telecommunications coverage will be provided for this event both on the way to and from Iraq and at the main venue of the congregation.

The Iraqi minister also met with Vahid Sadouqi, CEO of Hamrah-e-Avval (MCI), Iran’s largest mobile network operator, who said MCI will be offering free Wi-Fi services on the route leading to the congregation this year.

“Apart from MCI subscribers, users of Irancell, RighTel and Iraqi SIM cards will also be able to make use of the free Wi-Fi services,” he added.

Wi-Fi checkpoints will be set up at the Iraqi cities of Najaf, Karbala and Kazemein.

Iran has been working with Iraqi companies AsiaCell and Zain Mobile.

Sadouqi noted that the quality of services offered for this event is improving every year.

“Last year, 1.3 million MCI SIM cards were actively working in Iraq. We predict that the number will reach 2.5 million this year,” he said.

The Iraqi delegation also met with the CEO of Iran’s second mobile network operator MTN-Irancell, Alireza Ghalambor Dezfouli, who said Iran and Iraq will be working to ease mobile payments and transferring credit.

The two sides announced that they are eager to share knowhow and expertise in developing 3G and 4G Internet services and network maintenance.