Iraq’s Communications Ministry has clarified its position on Starlink’s operations in the country. Minister Mustafa Jabbar Sanad said Iraq has not signed a direct operational contract with Starlink. He confirmed that EarthLink remains the ministry’s main operational partner under current service arrangements.
Sanad made the comments during the eighth Baghdad Dialogue Conference. He said Iraq wants greater competition to improve its digital infrastructure. The ministry also plans to expand access to modern internet technologies across the country.
Iraq Starlink service remains under a developing regulatory framework, according to Iraqi officials. Sanad said Starlink could become a direct partner within two years. Until then, EarthLink and other providers will continue supplying connectivity under existing arrangements.
The minister stressed the importance of competition in Iraq’s telecommunications sector. He said new technologies could help improve internet services and expand coverage. Satellite connectivity could prove especially useful in areas where traditional infrastructure remains limited.
The Communications and Media Commission also provided details about Starlink’s regulatory status. CMC Chairman Baligh Abu Kalal said thousands of unauthorized Starlink terminals operated in Iraq before formal regulation began. Authorities estimated the number at around 40,000 devices.
Officials have now introduced a security framework for satellite internet services. The framework includes a national security annex covering Starlink’s technical operations. Iraqi authorities want satellite providers to follow national laws and security requirements.
Iraq Starlink service will therefore operate under formal regulatory oversight. Abu Kalal said the new framework makes Starlink the first international satellite provider to place its technical operations under Iraq’s legal jurisdiction. The rules also address national security and data sovereignty requirements.
Abu Kalal said Starlink operates legally in more than 160 countries. He presented Iraq’s regulatory approach as part of a wider international model. The government wants to combine satellite connectivity with existing telecommunications infrastructure.
The clarification follows the Communications and Media Commission’s announcement in July. Officials announced that Iraq had completed Starlink’s regulatory licensing process in the United States. The development opened the way for legal Starlink operations in the Iraqi market.
However, licensing does not mean Iraq has established a direct operational contract with Starlink. Sanad’s latest comments distinguish between regulatory approval and the current service partnership. EarthLink therefore remains central to the existing operational framework.
Iraq Starlink service could eventually expand internet access in remote and underserved areas. Satellite technology can provide connectivity where fiber networks are difficult or expensive to deploy. It could also serve businesses that require alternative broadband options.
At the same time, Baghdad wants to protect existing investments in fiber-optic infrastructure. Officials do not want satellite services to undermine national telecommunications projects. Instead, they aim to create competition while maintaining government oversight.
The regulatory framework also seeks to address unauthorized satellite equipment. Bringing existing devices into a legal system could improve monitoring and compliance. Authorities can also establish clearer rules for customers and service providers.
Data sovereignty remains another important concern for the Iraqi government. Officials want telecommunications companies to comply with national regulations governing data and communications. The Starlink framework represents part of that broader regulatory strategy.
Iraq’s telecommunications market could therefore see stronger competition in the coming years. EarthLink will continue playing an important role under the current framework. Meanwhile, Starlink could develop a more direct relationship with the Iraqi market after the planned transition period.