20 August 2010
BEIRUT: Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) board member Patrick Eid criticized on Wednesday the weak internet network available in Lebanon and said that the market’s needs are much bigger than what the ministry is currently offering.
“The reason behind the lack of proper internet services in Lebanon is that the money generated from that sector goes to the treasury instead of being invested again in the development of this sector,” he said.
Eid’s remarks came during a news conference to discuss the latest developments in the information technology sector in Lebanon.
Eid gave an overview of the IT situation in Lebanon and the strategy adopted by the TRA to improve the internet network and work on the development of fiber optics to provide faster internet services.
He added that the government does not allow the private sector to invest in IT, noting that private investment would create competition that will help in the improvement of internet services.
For his part, acting head of the TRA, Imad Hoballah, said that the reason behind the slow performance of this sector in Lebanon is that it is treated as a money generator without the necessary investments going in to improve it.
“The slow performance of internet is also due to the lack of the skills of people managing this sector,” he said. “Moreover, the public sector does not have a clear vision on the improvement of information technology and this is very obvious from the lack of investments in infrastructure.”
Hoballah noted that efforts are being made to increase communication between the minister and the TRA. “There is no conflict between the two parties but only different point of views,” he said.
He criticized the ministry for not giving the TRA the right to be financially independent, as stated when it was established. – The Daily Star
Copyright The Daily Star 2010.
