15 October 2016

BEIRUT: Telecom Minister Boutros Harb announced Friday that Ogero technical teams restored the internet connectivity in most regions in the north and Jbeil.

In a statement to the press, Harb said that the technical teams have replaced the scorched fiber optic cables with new ones.

He added that this is a temporary measure until Ogero finds a more lasting solution to this problem.

Many areas have complained that internet connection has been disrupted due to the fire which broke out in one of Ogeros fiber optics centers.

Harb said that internet connection has been restored to its previous speed, promising to follow up on the efforts of the technical teams to install new fiber optics across Lebanon.

The restoration of the internet in most Lebanese regions came one day after Harb declared Ogero was working on solutions to secure continuous internet connectivity after the Alexandros submarine cable was damaged a day earlier.

The telecommunications minister was informed of this damage and he gave his instructions to secure alternative cables that would allow the Lebanese to access the internet in a continuous manner, a statement issued by Ogero said.

Over two years ago, Lebanon acquired 24 percent of the Alexandros submarine cable, which connects to Cyprus, Egypt and France.

The underwater cable experienced frequent breakdowns Wednesday which caused an interruption in the internet services provided by internet services providers and the two cellular companies, Alfa and touch.

Harb unveiled a five-year plan to overhaul the internet service by installing fiber optic in many regions.

The minister also slashed the monthly DSL subscriptions and increased the capacity of download and upload.

But despite these measures, most consumers argue that internet in Lebanon is still very slow compared to other countries in the region.

They also complain that the monthly fees they pay for the internet service are still considered expensive.

Telecom experts stress the government need to speed up the installation of fiber optics all over Lebanon and further reduce the monthly subscription rates.

They added that the DSL service has still not reached many remote areas in the south, north and Bekaa valley.

Copyright The Daily Star 2016.