While the government has a monopoly on the telecom sector, officials have decided to raise telecom rates. Due to the Lebanese pound’s on-going depreciation—the currency used for the sector’s services—the price hike is in place to avoid a complete industry shutdown. LIMS sees the increase of telecom prices as necessary since the current rates are below the actual cost. However, this increase should be paired with the dismantling of the government monopoly. Allowing private competitors to enter the market, to keep prices low and have several packages available to accommodate users’ needs, would be beneficial for the sector overall.

• Increasing Telecommunications Bill Does Not Prevent Sector’s Collapse…What Are The Solutions? May 27, 2022: Al Anbaa, TV Interview AR