While submarine systems remain essential, congestion, extended repair cycles, and geopolitical exposure have renewed interest in high-performance terrestrial alternatives. In this context, Iraq’s geographic position, long recognised but rarely optimised, is re-emerging as a strategic advantage for global telecom transit.
Babylon GW is a next-generation terrestrial fibre project designed specifically for international telecom traffic, establishing a secure and scalable digital corridor between the Gulf, Asia, and Europe. Built as a pure transit platform, the project focuses exclusively on wholesale requirements, offering protected routes, carrier-grade architecture, and integration with regional and global backbones.
The project is being developed by a consortium comprising Horizon Technology, Supercell, and FLAG Telecom, alongside other international Tier-1 partners, bringing together regional execution capability and global backbone expertise.
A geography-driven advantage
Geography remains one of the few constants in global network planning. Iraq sits at the shortest terrestrial intersection between the Gulf region and Europe, providing a direct, low-latency alternative to longer maritime routes. Babylon GW leverages this position to deliver improved latency profiles, faster restoration times, and meaningful route diversity for international operators.
Unlike legacy national networks, Babylon GW has been architected from inception as an international transit system. It operates independently of domestic traffic constraints, enabling predictable performance and long-term scalability as global capacity demands continue to rise.
Consortium-led execution
The Babylon GW consortium has been structured to ensure clarity of roles and long-term operational sustainability. Each partner contributes complementary expertise across network design, regional deployment, and international interconnection.
Jihad Ibhaiss, CEO of Horizon Technology, explains:
“Babylon GW is built on a simple premise: geography still matters, but execution matters more. This project is designed from day one for international carriers—focused on transit, resilience, and long-term relevance rather than short-term capacity deployment.”
From a global infrastructure perspective, FLAG Telecom brings extensive experience in operating and integrating international fibre systems.
Vineet Varma, regional director at FLAG Telecom, adds: “Babylon GW will scale and mature the fastest terrestrial path from India to Europe. The project aligns technical design, operational discipline, and commercial structure in a way that international partners expect when evaluating new transit routes.”
Network resilience and future-proofing are central to the project’s architecture.
Saif Hussain, network development director within the consortium, notes: “Our focus has been on building a protected and scalable network that can evolve with demand. Route diversity, redundancy, and operational efficiency are fundamental to ensuring Babylon GW remains a dependable transit corridor over the long term.”
The project also benefits from independent strategic and technical guidance.
Kassim Hassani, senior telecommunications consultant at DIGINETS Consultancy Services and Project Consultant for Babylon GW, comments: “What distinguishes Babylon GW is the coherence between strategy, regulation, and network design. The project has been structured to meet international carrier expectations while aligning with local frameworks—an approach that significantly strengthens its long-term viability.”
The project is advancing with regulatory alignment through coordination with the Iraqi Telecommunications Public Company (ITPC).
Beyond infrastructure deployment, Babylon GW reflects a broader shift in how Iraq is positioned within the global digital ecosystem. By introducing a carrier-neutral, internationally focused transit corridor, the project enables operators, hyperscalers, and regional carriers to view Iraq as a strategic component of their network diversification strategies.
As global traffic patterns continue to evolve, resilient terrestrial routes will play an increasingly important role in supporting latency-sensitive services and long-term network stability. Babylon GW is designed to meet these requirements, strengthening East–West connectivity and redefining Iraq’s role in the global telecom landscape.
