Cabinet Extends Mobile Firms Contracts, Telecom Data Law
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
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.
30 April 2015, 11:27
11
Of course Hizbullah voiced their reservations over the delivery of telecom data to security agencies. Don't forget their involvement in the assassination of Hariri was uncovered thanks to the Telecom data....
30 April 2015, 17:42
10
This is a perpetual crime that has been allowed to simmer for just too long. 2 companies control the mobile telecoms, monopolize it and play by rules all too antiquated. Their services are very expensive and laughable, belonging to the days of cavemen really and between these two, they are hampering the entry of far better competitors. Over 10 years ago, CDMA technology followed by Wimax (WCDMA) and a lot more came and went. Where in the world would your Sim Card get burnt if it is not charged within that silly so-called grace period of 5 days but in this country of ours? And what about tourists and Lebanese visitors, do they have to change their mobile numbers every year because of such silly laws or what? Technology has nowadays comparatively short shelf lives, thus one must move with the times and not as if they owned the damn place. Let there be changes, we Lebanese are seriously trailing behind everyone and everything!!
