GSM defeats US mobile plan for Iraq

Global system for mobile communications (GSM) has been confirmed as the mobile communications system of choice for Iraq's new commercial mobile networks.

The news ends speculation that the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) had favoured rolling out a US-style code-division multiple access network, the main rival platform to GSM, across the country.

The CPA has awarded licences in three regions. Asia Cell Telecommunications Company has been selected for Northern Iraq, Orascom Telecom Iraq Corporation for Central Iraq and Baghdad, and the Atheer Telecom Iraq consortium for Southern Iraq.

As well as providing service to foreign visitors, GSM's roaming capabilities will ensure that customers of one regional operator will be able roam to any of the other regional networks.

The global trade association for the world's GSM mobile operators, GSM Association, welcomed the announcement.

"GSM will help re-integrate Iraq internally, with its neighbours, the region and the rest of the world," said Craig Ehrlich, chairman of the GSM Association, in a statement.