Infrastructure of Iraq describes theinfrastructure of the country of Iraq. Throughout thehistory of Iraq, the country's infrastructure, along with itspolitics andeconomy, have been affected by armed conflicts; none more serious than the2003 Invasion and subsequentreconstruction.[1]
Iraq has45,550 km of roads, with 38,400 km, of them paved (1996 est.)Iraq has 4,350 km ofcrude oil pipelines, and 1,360 km fornatural gas.
There are about113 airports. (1999 est.) Major airports include
There is significantrail transport in Iraq. In November, 2008, an overground service dubbed theBaghdad Metro began service.
Baghdad continues to suffer regular power outages.In the hot summer of 2004, electricity was only available intermittently in most areas of the city. According to a member ofPaul Bremer's staff[citation needed], the problems with electricity were exacerbated by a surge in the use of air conditioners which were previously banned bySaddam Hussein.
During theGulf War of 1991 aerial bombardment caused severe damage to the electric grid that operated the pumping stations and other facilities for potable water delivery and sewage treatment, causing massive problems withWater supply and sanitation in Iraq.The sanctions imposed by the UN at the conclusion of the Gulf War exacerbated these problems by banning the importation of spare parts for equipment and chemicals, such as chlorine, needed for disinfection.
The2003 invasion of Iraq produced further degradation of Iraq’s water supply, sewerage and electrical supply systems. Treatment plants, pumping stations and generating stations were stripped of their equipment, supplies and electrical wiring by looters. The once-capable cadre of engineers and operating technicians were scattered or left the country. Reconstruction efforts faced a nation with a severely degraded infrastructure.
The2003 Iraq war severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq, including international connections.USAID is overseeing the repair of switching capability and the construction of mobile and satellite communications facilities.
Main telephone lines in use: 833,000 (as of 2005)
Number of mobile cellular phones: 9,000,000 (as of 2005)
Domestic telephone network: Repairs to switches and lines have been made. Cellular service is in place since 2004. Cellular service is still spotty in some locations. It is expected to improve further.
USA Today from 2005 about Iraq and its Telecommunications Iraqna, anOrascom Telecom company, led byShamel Hanafy COO Is the leader of the biggestGSM Cell phone provider in Iraq, also known asSam Hanafy theAmerican Department of Defense [DoD contractor] Successfully secured and won the exclusivity contract for deploying the telephony and GSM network to the DoD, US Department Of States, and the Coalition Forces
International connections:
Al Iraqiya (orIraqi Media Network) is Iraq's mainpublic broadcaster.
Since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein,Internet in Iraq has become commonplace.Uruklink, originally the sole IraqiInternet service provider, now faces competition from other ISPs, including broadbandsatellite internet access services from both Middle East and EuropeanVSAT hubs. The premier military telecom service provider in Iraq isTs 2.[2]
