Cabinet Extends Mobile Firms Contracts, Telecom Data Law
The cabinet on Wednesday extended the contracts signed with the country's two mobile network operators as well as the law regulating the delivery of telecom data by the two firms to security forces.
The contracts with were extended for another six months, during which a public tender will be held to seek new operators.
The international firms Global Telecom Holding, formerly known as Orascom Telecom, and Zain, formerly known as MTC Group, are the two companies that currently run the state-owned mobile phone operators Touch and Alfa.
“The contracts of the mobile network operators will be extended as of April 30,” Information Minister Ramzi Jreij announced after a cabinet session at the Grand Serail.
The conferees also approved the terms and conditions of the public tender after introducing amendments based on the remarks of some ministers, the minister added.
MTV said a dispute between Telecom Minister Boutros Harb and Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil was resolved in the cabinet session “after some amendments were introduced to the terms and conditions proposed by Harb.”
"We hope to enter a new phase so that we can improve the sector," Harb said after the session.
Separately, the cabinet decided to extend the bill governing the delivery of telecom data to security agencies for another year.
Media reports said Hizbullah's ministers voiced reservations over the cabinet's move.
During the session, the council of ministers also earmarked $30 million to build a regional prison as part of a national prisons plan and decided to accept a new donation aimed at helping the country cope with the Syrian refugee crisis.
State-run National News Agency meanwhile said the cabinet set Tuesday as a date for a session dedicated to the issue of the draft state budget and it that will hold successive sessions until it is endorsed.
Y.R.
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