Telecommunications Minister Charles Hage assured that the government has set the objective of forming the telecoms regulatory authority, an entity provided for by a 2002 law (law 431 on sector regulation) but whose activation has been blocked for years due to political obstacles.  Speaking at meetings held in Barcelona from March 3 to 6, Hage, a member of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's government, emphasized Lebanon’s strong dedication to reform. His remarks were shared Thursday on the ministry's X account. He outlined that his ministry is focused on "two parallel axes, namely regulatory reforms and investment in infrastructure."  "This includes the application of telecommunications laws which provide for the formation of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and the creation of the company Liban Telecom, as an institution capable of steering the sector towards a more advanced and efficient future," he added.  He also revealed plans to expand fiber optic networks — currently available only in select regions — enhance the 4G mobile network and inaugurate a new submarine cable linking Lebanon to Cyprus and Europe by the year’s end. Additionally, the government plans to modernize the land cable connecting Beirut to Damascus and Amman.  Despite contributing significantly to state revenue, Lebanon's telecom sector faces persistent challenges, ranging from suboptimal network services to excessively high prices according to a study published in 2024 by SMEX, a regional advocacy group for free internet. (ICE BEIRUT)

Fonte notizia: L'Orient Today