BAGHDAD - Iraq's cabinet on Tuesday approved a decision to give Vodafone Global Telecommunications a licence to operate the country's first 5G network and said the government would start preparatory steps for the project, the Prime Minister's Office said.

However, VodafoneVOD.L said it was discussing a role advising on the design of the network rather than operating it.

"Vodafone's partner markets division is in talks with the government of Iraq about a possible consultancy contract to advise on the design of a new 5G network planned by the government," a spokesperson said in a statement

"Discussions are still ongoing, and we do not yet have an agreed contract."

(Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed in Baghdad and Paul Sandle in London; Editing by Andrew Heavens)