Sparkle Expands Its International Network Footprint to Iraq

With the new Point of Presence in Erbil, first in the country, Sparkle extends its Internet backbone and consolidates its positioning as leading global Tier-1 operator.

Sparkle, the first international service provider in Italy and among the top global operators, announces the expansion of its network footprint to Iraq with the opening of a new Point of Presence (PoP) in Erbil, in cooperation with Novel Point, an Iraqi international provider of connectivity and ICT solutions.

The PoP in Erbil leverages Novel Point’s cutting edge open data center and Sparkle’s Tier 1 global IP backbone Seabone (AS6762) to deliver top-notch Internet connectivity services to the Iraqi market as well as to neighboring countries.

By connecting to Sparkle’s PoP in Erbil, network providers, ISPs, OTTs, content and application providers as well as enterprises can benefit from reliable, low latency IP Transit services in scalable multiples ranging from 10 GB to 100 GB. In addition, customers can gain access to Sparkle’s comprehensive IP portfolio including DDoS Protection – that grants customers the option to self-protect their networks from attacks – and Virtual NAP – which provides virtual access to leading Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) without the need to build proprietary infrastructure.

“With the opening of our PoP in Erbil, Sparkle further expands its global network while acting as an accelerator for the development of value-added digital services in the region”, said Enrico Bagnasco, CEO of Sparkle.

“This strategic undertaking, capitalizing on the robust Sparkle Seabone IP backbone, represents a pivotal opportunity for Iraq to leverage its geographical advantage and align with the government’s agenda to fortify its burgeoning digital economy”, remarked Govan Shukri, CEO of Novel Point.

“It brings me great joy to witness the increasing interest of prominent international telecom companies, such as Sparkle, a Tier-1 operator with global presence, in the Iraqi telecom market. The collaboration between Sparkle and Novel is commendable initiative that aligns well with the strategic vision of the Iraqi government to advance the digitalisation of our nation and position it prominently in the realm of international data traffic”, said Dr. Hiyam Al-Yasri, Iraqi Minister of Communications. “This partnership is seen as a positive step towards achieving our goals, and we anticipate that it will provide both international and local enterprises a significant tool to enhance their operational efficiency within Iraq. I extend my gratitude to Sparkle for their keen interest in the Iraqi market, and I look forward to witnessing further developments through our collaboration.”

The agreement, signed on the side lines of the Capacity Middle East 2024 global telecommunications event, underscores the commitment of both companies to usher in a new era of innovation, connectivity, and technological progress in Iraq, positioning the nation as a hub for digital excellence.

Sparkle PoP Iraq
About Novel Point
Novel Point, a strategic collaboration between DIL Technology and Horizon Technology, is dedicated to enhancing international connectivity in Iraq. Our vision is to establish Iraq as the primary hub for international connectivity, seamlessly connecting Europe and the Gulf. We prioritize substantial investments in expanding our network infrastructure, specializing in delivering world-class network connectivity to businesses in Iraq, and via IRAQ to the Middle East, and Europe. Our steadfast commitment to capacity, reach, and performance underscores our mission to provide an award-winning network experience. Through our Smart Solutions portfolio, we actively contribute to fostering Iraq’s economic growth and advancing its digital transformation.