Baghdad: Communications Minister Mustafa Sand confirmed on Saturday that two companies have been referred to the judiciary due to corruption involving large sums of money. During his address at the Eighth Baghdad Dialogue Conference, attended by a correspondent from the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the minister stated that “the ministry has begun intervening to resolve the fiber optic cable problem in the Nineveh and Anbar governorates,” noting that “two companies have been referred to the judiciary due to corruption involving substantial sums of money.”

According to Iraqi News Agency, the minister continued, “There are several internet service providers in the two governorates, but competition among them is essential to ensure the best service,” adding that “there is infrastructure within the Kurdistan Region that we have been unable to access, and discussions have been held with the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region to resolve the outstanding issues.”

He pointed out that “differences in viewpoints have had a negative impact,” adding that “we agreed with the Media Commission that disagreements should be respectful, and through agreement, many projects will be accomplished.”

Sanad noted that “the issue of satellite internet is controversial, but competition between companies must be introduced,” indicating that “Starlink company it actually exists, but unofficially.”