Korek Telecom offices close in Baghdad over regulator dispute

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq’s Communications and Media Commission (CMC) has reached a dead end in its dispute with Korek Telecom and begun closing the company’s offices in Baghdad, executive chief Baligh Abu Kalal said on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters, Abu Kalal described the dispute as regulatory rather than political and rooted in longstanding contractual, legal, and financial issues.

Korek had failed to comply with CMC decisions and continued to face financial obligations to the regulator and tax authorities, while Zain Iraq, Asiacell and other telecommunications companies were not facing comparable problems, he added.

On August 20, the CMC shut Korek’s main Baghdad site in Jadriya and three sales centers in Al-Arasat, Palestine Street, and Al-Mansour in coordination with the Iraqi National Security Service.

The regulator had canceled a settlement agreement with Korek, accusing the company of failing to meet its obligations, and has since begun procedures to halt its network and place restrictions on its movable and immovable assets. Korek has rejected the measures as arbitrary and disputed the CMC’s authority to cancel the 2025 settlement, as the agreement followed “recommendations” from a government committee and approval by the commission’s board.

CEO Sirwan Barzani said this week that Korek had filed challenges in three Iraqi courts, describing the regulator’s actions as illegal and personal.

Read more: Internet in Iraq: Snail-speed service, high costs, and digital divide