Trowers & Hamlins has scored a key role advising the Asia Cell consortium on its $1.25bn (£630m) Iraqi telecoms licence, one of the largest commercial deals in the country this year.

Trowers advised telecoms firm Qatar Telecom (Qtel) on its participation in the Asia Cell consortium, which has just been awarded a 15-year, $1.25bn (£630m) national mobile telecoms licence in Iraq.

Trowers head of international telecoms Abdullah Mutawi led the team along with London senior associate Charles Wilson.

Baker & McKenzie acted for another member of the Asia Cell Consortium, London-based investment bank Merchant Bridge. London corporate partner Peter Strivens and finance partner Corinna Mitchell advised.

Asia Cell itself, the final member of the consortium, had no independent external advisers.

The licence was one of three awarded after an auction process and 18 separate bidding rounds.

Mutawi said: "This acquisition for Qtel follows hot on the heels of $4.6bn (£2.3bn) worth of acquisitions completed by Qtel in 2007 alone. This latest deal demonstrates a show of confidence by savvy investors in the future of a country with great potential and adds yet another valuable asset to a rapidly expanding portfolio of assets."

The deal is the latest in a strong run in 2007 for Trowers' telecoms group, which has advised on more than $6.3bn (£3.2bn) worth of deals.

The UK law firm has previously advised Qtel Group on its $3.8bn (£2bn) acquisition of a controlling interest in Kuwaiti mobile operator Wataniya and the $635m (£320m) acquisition of a 25% stake in Asia Mobile Holdings.

Other recent telecoms deals in the Middle East have included Saudi Telecom Company's (STC) $3.05bn (£1.5bn) acquisition of a 25% stake in a Malaysian telecoms operator. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer advised STC on the deal.