Digital Advertising & Media Compliance Rules

Digital Advertising & Media Compliance Rules Digital advertising in Iraq is subject to content, consumer protection, competition, and ethical standards. Media entities, advertising agencies, and digital platforms must ensure that commercial messaging complies with cultural norms, advertising restrictions, and truthful marketing practices. Advertising that involves medical, financial, political, or sensitive subjects may require additional scrutiny. Compliance Requirements Truthful and non-deceptive advertising Transparent sponsorship and promotional labeling Content restrictions for minors or sensitive categories Compliance with competition and consumer protection laws CMC Compliance Maintain records of advertising campaigns Respond to regulatory complaints or inquiries Modify or remove non-compliant advertisements when required How Etihad Can Assist Etihad provides legal and regulatory advisory services to banks, financial institutions, and businesses, supporting compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance issued by any competent authorities.  

Import & Type Approval of Telecommunications Equipment

Import & Type Approval of Telecommunications Equipment Telecommunications devices and equipment imported into Iraq may require type approval to ensure compliance with technical, safety, electromagnetic, and spectrum standards. This applies to devices such as routers, radios, antennas, base stations, satellite equipment, and consumer telecom devices. Type Approval Requirements Submission of technical specifications and test reports Compliance with radio frequency standards Certification from designated authorities (if required) Labeling and documentation for customs clearance CMC Compliance Obtain approvals before commercial distribution Support testing or inspection when requested Ensure devices do not interfere with spectrum or networks How Etihad Can Assist Etihad provides legal and regulatory advisory services to banks, financial institutions, and businesses, supporting compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance issued by any competent authorities.  

Satellite & Broadcasting Authorization Requirements

Satellite & Broadcasting Authorization Requirements Satellite-based broadcasting, uplink/downlink services, and satellite news operations require CMC authorization due to spectrum usage, content transmission, and national security considerations. Satellite licensing applies to both domestic broadcasters and foreign satellite channels seeking carriage or transmission rights within Iraq. Applicant Requirements Corporate and technical documentation Satellite footprint and uplink/downlink details Content and programming descriptions Compliance with cultural and ethical standards CMC Compliance Comply with transponder and coverage requirements Respect content regulation and monitoring Maintain broadcast logs and archives Renew authorizations and update operational data How Etihad Can Assist Etihad provides legal and regulatory advisory services to banks, financial institutions, and businesses, supporting compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance issued by any competent authorities.  

License Fees, Royalties & Regulatory Charges – CMC

License Fees, Royalties & Regulatory Charges Telecom and media operators in Iraq are subject to licensing fees, regulatory charges, spectrum usage fees, numbering fees, and in some cases royalties linked to revenue or usage. These charges support sector supervision, infrastructure development, and management of national communication resources. Fee schedules may vary depending on license category, spectrum allocation, service scope, and network footprint. Regulatory Charges Initial licensing fees Annual renewal fees Spectrum usage fees Numbering resource allocations Market access or revenue-linked royalties (if applicable) CMC Compliance Pay fees within specified timeframes Submit revenue or usage reports (for variable charges) Maintain accurate accounting data for audit Renew licenses before expiry How Etihad Can Assist Etihad provides legal and regulatory advisory services to banks, financial institutions, and businesses, supporting compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance issued by any competent authorities.  

Dispute Resolution in the Telecom & Media Sector

Dispute Resolution in the Telecom & Media Sector Disputes in the telecommunications and media sectors can arise between operators, broadcasters, OTT platforms, consumers, or regulators. Common disputes relate to interconnection fees, infrastructure access, content rights, contractual breaches, advertising, and regulatory enforcement actions. Dispute resolution mechanisms may be administrative, judicial, or arbitration-based depending on the nature of the dispute and relevant agreements. Types of Sector Disputes Interconnection and infrastructure access disputes Spectrum usage or interference disputes Content licensing and intellectual property disputes Regulatory fines and enforcement challenges Consumer claims and QoS complaints CMC Compliance Comply with regulatory orders and timelines Participate in mediation or resolution processes Provide documentation upon supervisory request Implement corrective actions when mandated How Etihad Can Assist Etihad provides legal and regulatory advisory services to banks, financial institutions, and businesses, supporting compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance issued by any competent authorities.  

Foreign Investor Participation in the Telecommunications Sector

Foreign Investor Participation in the Telecommunications Sector The Iraqi telecommunications and media sector attracts interest from regional and international investors. Foreign participation may take the form of direct investment, joint ventures, strategic partnerships, or technology transfer arrangements. However, foreign investors must navigate licensing, ownership restrictions, national security considerations, and regulatory approvals from the Communications and Media Commission (CMC) and other governmental bodies. Considerations for Foreign Investors Licensing and authorization pathways Ownership and control restrictions Local partner requirements (if applicable) Regulatory approvals for mergers/acquisitions Technology transfer and localization expectations CMC Compliance Disclose ownership and beneficial control structures Demonstrate financial and technical capacity Localize parts of infrastructure or data hosting Obtain security clearances for certain activities How Etihad Can Assist Etihad provides legal and regulatory advisory services to banks, financial institutions, and businesses, supporting compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance issued by any competent authorities.  

Numbering, Interconnection & Infrastructure Sharing

Numbering, Interconnection & Infrastructure Sharing Numbering plans, interconnection arrangements, and infrastructure sharing are essential for promoting competition and enabling seamless communication among operators. The CMC allocates numbering ranges, regulates interconnection agreements between carriers, and may mandate infrastructure sharing to reduce duplication and support efficient market entry. Regulatory Elements Allocation of phone numbering resources Interconnection rate negotiation and approval Infrastructure sharing for towers and ducts Access to essential network facilitie CMC Compliance Request numbering resources in accordance with guidelines Negotiate interconnection agreements in good faith Submit agreements for regulatory review (where required) Support infrastructure sharing when mandated How Etihad Can Assist Etihad provides legal and regulatory advisory services to banks, financial institutions, and businesses, supporting compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance issued by any competent authorities.  

Consumer Protection & Quality of Service (QoS) Standards

Consumer Protection & Quality of Service (QoS) Standards The CMC enforces consumer protection and quality-of-service (QoS) standards to ensure fair access, transparency, and acceptable service performance in telecom and media markets. Operators must provide accurate service information, disclose pricing, address complaints, and maintain network quality metrics. Compliance supports user trust and reduces regulatory disputes. Consumer Protection Requirements Transparent pricing and billing disclosures Accessible complaint handling systems Fair contractual terms for consumers Quality of Service (QoS) Standards Coverage and network availability Minimum bandwidth and latency thresholds Service continuity and uptime standards Fault response times CMC Compliance Submit QoS performance measurements Respond to complaints and service issues Cooperate with monitoring and testing initiatives Implement corrective actions when required How Etihad Can Assist Etihad provides legal and regulatory advisory services to banks, financial institutions, and businesses, supporting compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance issued by any competent authorities.  

Cybersecurity & Network Resilience Requirements

Cybersecurity & Network Resilience Requirements Telecom and media networks are critical infrastructure in Iraq. The CMC places emphasis on cybersecurity controls to ensure the resilience of communication networks, protection of subscriber data, and continuity of national services. With increased migration toward cloud, VoIP, and digital broadcasting technologies, operators must adopt cybersecurity frameworks consistent with global telecom standards. Cybersecurity Requirements Network security architecture design Access control and authentication mechanisms Encryption of sensitive communications Monitoring and detection of cyber threats Incident reporting protocols and recovery plans CMC Compliance Implement cybersecurity policies and governance Conduct vulnerability assessments and tests Report material breaches or outages Maintain continuity and disaster recovery plans Cooperate with national cybersecurity initiatives How Etihad Can Assist Etihad provides legal and regulatory advisory services to banks, financial institutions, and businesses, supporting compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance issued by any competent authorities.  

Platform Regulation: OTT, Streaming & Digital Media Services

Platform Regulation: OTT, Streaming & Digital Media Services Over-the-top (OTT) platforms, streaming services, and digital media providers are increasingly relevant in Iraq’s media consumption landscape. While traditional broadcasting is heavily licensed, OTT platforms operate in a hybrid regulatory environment where content, advertising, and consumer protection standards still apply. The CMC monitors OTT platforms for compliance with national content rules, data rights, advertising standards, and public interest considerations. Obligations for Digital Media Operators Compliance with content distribution rules Advertising and sponsorship transparency User data protection and privacy compliance Reporting obligations upon request Cooperation with takedown or content review orders CMC Compliance Register operations or notify regulators Adhere to local content and cultural standards Provide access for regulatory monitoring Maintain consumer-facing complaint resolution channels How Etihad Can Assist Etihad provides legal and regulatory advisory services to banks, financial institutions, and businesses, supporting compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance issued by any competent authorities.