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Breaking the Internet Monopoly After Years of Advocacy

13:05 | 30 September 2025LIMS output
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Internet

The Lebanese government has approved the licensing of “Starlink Lebanon” allowing the company to provide satellite‑based broadband across the country while simultaneously establishing a new Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.
This reform marks an important milestone in the country’s telecommunications landscape, one that follows years of relentless advocacy by LIMS for greater competition and innovation in the sector. LIMS was one of the first organizations to identify Starlink as a practical and transformative solution to Lebanon’s chronic internet crisis, proposing satellite-based connectivity as a way to bypass the inefficiencies and monopolies that have long hindered digital access.

During the war last summer, when the idea of allowing Starlink into Lebanon was fiercely contested, some even branding it as an act of sedition, LIMS stood firm. The institute led the public debate with facts and reason, emphasizing that reliable internet is a lifeline, not a political concession. By spearheading the opposition’s rebuttal to restrictive licensing and protectionist arguments, LIMS consistently highlighted the importance of open markets and the citizens’ right to reliable connectivity. The service should cut latency for digital firms, attract investment and retain skilled professionals who have otherwise migrated abroad due to poor connectivity.

Furthermore, LIMS called on the newly established Telecommunications Regulatory Authority to foster competition by dismantling Ogero’s monopoly and opening the market to multiple private providers. LIMS emphasized that a fully competitive environment can drive improvements in service quality, reduce prices, and strengthen Lebanon’s digital economy. The organization also urged the government to expand the Starlink license beyond corporate users to include households, ensuring that all citizens can benefit from fast, reliable, and affordable internet access.

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