City in Erbil Governorate, Iraq
Internet in Erbil: speed, SIM cards and coworking
Is the internet good in Erbil?
Median fixed broadband in Iraq is 50 Mbps and mobile is 72 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Cafés in Ankawa and 100 Meter Road offer fast wifi; Korek and Asiacell cover most of the city.
Getting online in Erbil
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Home fibre | Fibre from local ISPs is common in new apartments, about 35,000–70,000 IQD a month; generators cover many outages. |
| Cafés and coworking | Cafés in Ankawa and 100 Meter Road offer fast wifi; Korek and Asiacell cover most of the city. |
| Outages | Power cuts and exam-day internet shutdowns, usually May–Aug |
| Tourist SIM | Zain and Asiacell work nationwide, Korek mainly in Kurdistan; buy at company shops with your passport. |
| eSIM | Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors. |
| Carriers | Zain Iraq, Asiacell, Korek |
| Monthly data plan | ع.د15,000–30,000 ($11–23) |
| Blocked services | Internet is cut nationwide for a few hours on school-exam mornings, usually May–August; apps otherwise work. |
Coworking in Erbil
There's no dedicated coworking scene here; people work from cafés and accommodation.
Internet speeds in Middle East
National medians, Speedtest Global Index.
Quick answers
Is the internet fast in Erbil?
Median fixed broadband in Iraq is 50 Mbps and mobile is 72 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Cafés in Ankawa and 100 Meter Road offer fast wifi; Korek and Asiacell cover most of the city.
Which SIM card should I get in Erbil?
Zain and Asiacell work nationwide, Korek mainly in Kurdistan; buy at company shops with your passport.
Can I use an eSIM in Iraq?
Yes. Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors, and travel eSIMs work too.
More about Erbil
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Sources
Speeds are medians from Ookla's Speedtest Global Index, cited for reference. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.