Kalimat Telecom launches WiMAX network in Iraq

Kalimat Telecom launches WiMAX network in Iraq

By Jeff Orr

National operator picks Redline for fixed wireless services to enterprises in Iraq.

Kalimat Telecom, Iraq's national telecom operator, has launched the first WiMAX network in Baghdad. Kalimat Telecom will use WiMAX radios from Redline Communications for fixed wireless communications. The $500 million project aims to provide broadband Internet services to 28 million Iraqi citizens. Despite security problems that have hindered the spread of access, the network operator plans to secure an ambitious 60% of Iraqi subscribers over the next two years.

"We are proud to announce the launch and make it happen despite the prevailing situation," said Wilson Varghese, Kalimat Telecom CEO and President. "We are targeting customers like large commercial facilities, residential areas and government institutions. As you know many investors do not want to go to Iraq, but we managed to invest … and we are slowly getting there."

Several new services are anticipated for the small and mid-sized enterprise (SME) sector and large enterprise organizations. "The WiMAX service will allow provisions of up to about 21 Mbps per sector in the four sector base stations that Kalimat uses," says Dr Nasi Abachi, CTO, Kalimat Telecom. Multiple tiers of service are therefore possible, varying in speed, to a relatively large number of users.

Kalimat Telecom is the privately-held Kuwait subsidiary of Kalimat Telecom BVI. The network operator provides fixed wireless local loop (WLL) telephony and data services. Only 54,000 Iraqi citizens have Internet access (0.2% penetration), according to a March 2008 ITU study. No broadband subscriber data has been collected for the country. Iraq's Communication and Media Commission awarded Kalimat Telecom a 10-year wireless license in September 2006.