The Al-Mamoun Telephone Exchange, where repair work that will restore telephone services to approximately 30,000 subscribers. Al-Mamoun is one of 12 telephone exchanges in the Baghdad region which were destroyed in the recent conflict. (Photo: Thomas Hartwell)
In 2002, approximately 1.2 million Iraqis subscribed to landline telephone service. Much of the network's switching component was damaged during the war and service was disrupted. In Baghdad, 12 exchange switches (of 38 total) serving 240,000 telephone lines (of 540,000 total) are out of service. USAID is working to restore the national fiber telecom network, repair the telephone switching system in Baghdad, and restore international telecommunications capability to Iraq. The international satellite gateway system will be installed and connect Iraq to the rest of the world. Civilian telephone service is managed by the Iraqi Telephone and Postal Company along with CPA assistance.
Purchased tools, equipment, and parts to allow Iraqi engineers to restore parts of the network.
18 of 22 telecommunications containers holding exchange switches and main distribution frames (MDFs) have been received and installed. 12 sites around the country will receive switches.
Audited 400 km of the fiber optic backbone, confirming that only two of twelve fibers are active.
The international satellite gateway system is fully operational and integrated with the Al Mamoun switches. Installation of transmission equipment at six exchange sites that will link the gateway to the Iraqi national network is expected to be completed December 6.
Training of Iraqi engineers on the new equipment has commenced.
