The Iraq National Communications and Media Commission (NCMC) is the independent media and telecommunications regulatory body in the Republic of Iraq. It is embarking on a program of opening the telecommunications industry in Iraq to competition through issuing licenses for wired, wireless and mobile telecommunications services over the course of this year.This summit will cover the key aspects of Iraqs mobile telecommunications requirements.

The NCMC is looking for responses from prospective telecommunications providers, as in late 2005 it intends to award potential operators regional and national licenses to build and operate wired and fixed wireless networks for voice, data and Internet services. It has already solicited the industry to propose innovative solutions to enhance and increase the penetration rate of telecommunications services in Iraq.

In order to ensure transparency and fairness to all applications, the NCMC is holding the official Iraq Mobile Telecommunications Conference in London to solicit potential bidder responses. It will be bringing a high level delegation of 40 senior advisors and members to the summit, including two government ministers, NCMC Chief Executive Dr Siyamend Othman and nine commissioners. They wish to spend the two days in London explaining their requirements for mobile telecommunications in Iraq and the tendering process for the new licenses that will be issued in December 2005.

As an integral part of the tendering procedure for the NCMC, the conference is essential for all interested parties to attend. Under its charter, the commission must ensure an open and transparent tendering process and an egalitarian communication of requirements to all international companies. It is enthusiastic that this conference will attract the leading operators, equipment manufacturers and suppliers, system integrators, consultants, service providers, software, security and IT companies, investors and all parties interested in the mobile telecommunications industry in Iraq.

The potential of the telecommunications market in Iraq is enormous, with only three per cent of Iraq’s 26 million population possessing fixed landlines and the mobile market primed for development. The whole range of mobile communications will be covered at the conference, including GSM, wireless local loop, emergency communications, trunking and IP telephony.

With such a strong delegation of decision makers coming to London from Iraq and their need to gather as much information and knowledge as possible, a limited number of tabletop presentations are being made available for companies on a first-come, first-served basis. Companies will be able to make a tabletop presentation and supply a pop-up stand with company literature and information to assist the NCMC membership.

For more information about the Iraq Mobile Telecommunications Conference, please contact:

Iraq Mobile Telecommunications Conference
International Procurement Services – in partnership with the Iraq National Communications and Media Commission (NCMC)
Email: telecoms@iraqdevelopmentprogram.org