Fiber networks have become indispensable, not only in the telecommunications field, but also in various industries

Dr. Alaa Jasim Mousa, President of Fiber Connect Council MENA & CEO of Earthlink

Interview: Gulraiz Khalid

In an exclusive interview with Teletimes, Dr. Alaa J. Mousa, CEO of Earthlink and President of the Fiber Connect Council MENA, shared insights on the critical role of ICT trade events in the Middle East, Earthlink’s vision, and the future of fiber technology in the region. His comments illuminate the transformative power of fiber and ICT infrastructure, underscoring the rapid pace of digital growth in the Middle East.

The Role of ICT Industry Events in the Middle East

Dr. Mousa emphasized the importance of events like the SAMENA ACCELERATOR , particularly for the Middle East’s evolving ICT landscape. These events bring together vendors, policymakers, and operators to forge the future of digital technology. “SAMENA events are always rich and informative,” he noted. “They bring together key players to shape the future of this sector.” Huawei’s significant presence at such events further solidifies the company’s commitment to the region’s ICT advancement, including its backing of the Fiber Connect Council MENA, which Dr. Mousa chairs.

The Middle East stands as a critical hub for global internet traffic, with a strategic location connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa. As Dr. Mousa explained, this positioning places the region at the heart of digital transformation, making high-speed connectivity vital for supporting new digital initiatives in e-health, e-school, e-government and smart hotel. Events like SAMENA provide a platform for industry leaders to address the demand for advanced 10 Gbps fiber infrastructures, which are becoming essential as economies shift from oil dependence to knowledge-based development.

The Vision Behind Earthlink

Earthlink, Iraq’s leading ISP, was founded in 2005 with an ambitious goal to elevate Iraq’s connectivity and digital infrastructure. Over the past two decades, Earthlink has transformed the country’s telecom landscape through innovative solutions and rapid expansion. Dr. Mousa elaborated, “Earthlink is the leading ISP in Iraq. We started with satellite services, then moved quickly to wireless, and invested in creating Iraq’s largest fiber infrastructure.”

This vision is grounded in providing Iraq with a robust fiber network infrastructure that can support the country’s digital transformation. Earthlink has been recognized globally for its rapid fiber network deployment, having laid over 5,000 kilometers of fiber in just 14 months. Now with more than 1 million homes connected, the company is expanding its reach even further. Dr. Mousa highlighted their impressive progress in Iraq and their ambition to expand across the Middle East, making Earthlink a regional leader in fiber network deployment.

“Earthlink has been recognized globally for its rapid fiber network deployment, having laid over 5,000 kilometers of fiber in just 14 months. Now with more than 1 million homes connected, the company is expanding its reach even further.”

Alignment of Fiber Connect Council MENA and Earthlink’s Vision

The alignment between Earthlink and the Fiber Connect Council MENA is no coincidence; both entities strive for widespread access to high-speed fiber networks. As Dr. Mousa pointed out, “Due to these achievements, Earthlink was appointed President of the Fiber Connect Council MENA, and recently, we received the role of President of the FTTH Council Global Alliance.”

This collaboration enhances Earthlink’s role as a trailblazer in fiber technology, not only for Iraq but also as a model for neighboring countries. The Council’s mission is accelerating fiber adoption by all broadband stakeholders through information and promotion, and accelerating the availability of fiber-based, ultra-high-speed access networks to consumers and businesses. This align seamlessly with Earthlink’s mission to deliver high-speed, reliable, and future-ready internet. This alignment has bolstered Earthlink’s position to lead Iraq’s digital transformation and set the standard for fiber connectivity in the region.

Huawei’s Role as a Partner

Huawei has been a longstanding partner of Earthlink, a relationship that dates back to the early 2000s. Dr. Mousa shared, “Huawei was one of the first international companies to establish a strong presence in Iraq, and their commitment has been instrumental to our success.” Huawei’s investment in local R&D and its presence in Iraq allowed it to support Earthlink with on-ground technical expertise, making Huawei a critical partner in Earthlink’s infrastructure deployment.

Huawei’s focus on R&D has been a driving factor in its success, especially in Iraq. Dr. Mousa appreciated Huawei’s versatility, noting that Earthlink’s multi-vendor strategy enables them to deploy best-in-class solutions. Beyond Earthlink, Huawei collaborates with other governments and industry councils across the Middle East, contributing to the region’s ICT advancements.

The Growing Role of Fiber to the Home (FTTH)

In recent years, the importance of FTTH has risen, especially as digital applications require more bandwidth. While wireless solutions offer flexibility, Dr. Mousa acknowledged the growing need for fiber to support digital transformation of various industries such as healthcare, education and hospitality, and high-demand applications like AI, big data, and augmented reality. He described the “data tsunami” faced by telecom providers, where demand has surged exponentially.

Fiber networks have thus become indispensable, not only in the telecommunications field, but also in various industries. Earthlink has responded to this demand by rapidly expanding its FTTH network, aiming to cover 5 million homes across Iraq within the next two years. This rapid deployment is a testament to Earthlink’s commitment to providing Iraq with cutting-edge connectivity solutions.

The Future of the Telecom Market

Looking ahead, Dr. Mousa foresees a continued demand for high-speed fiber networks, especially as data-heavy applications continue to proliferate. “With the rise of big data, AI, and video streaming, operators are investing more in fiber networks,” he explained. For Earthlink, this demand means ongoing expansion and a dedication to providing quality services to all Iraqi users. The Middle Eastern telecom market is on a path of significant transformation, driven by digital and intelligent transformation, technological innovation, and regional cooperation. With a robust foundation in fiber networks and strategic partnerships, Earthlink is well-positioned to lead Iraq—and the Middle East—into the future of digital connectivity.