May 29, 2009

Day two at ARABCOM was marked by the speech of Dr. Shehadi, Chairman and CEO of the TRA, highlighting the TRA Broadband strategy. Dr. Shehadi gave a presentation within a panel titled Broadband Investments Strategies where discussions and presentations evolved around the topics:

• Policy, Regulations and Legal framework to encourage investments in broadband
• Mergers & Acquisitions opportunities in Broadband
• Mobile operators in the broadband space : Build versus acquire
• Building broadband networks for new real estate developments

Dr. Shehadi opened his speech by focusing on the importance of young people having access to reasonably cheap hardware and connectivity. He said: “If we want Lebanon to be connected and our youth to access information and opportunities, everyone should be able to purchase a laptop at a reasonable price and know how to use it. Bringing connectivity to end users will improve their quality of life”.

He added: “ The TRA is legally mandated to regulate and develop the telecommunications market in Lebanon and will continue the work that has been already started based on the Telecommunications Law 431 by opening the sector to fair and transparent competition, developing regulations in line with international best practices and implementing the Licensing Regulation further to the State Council’s (Shura’s) approval”. The Licensing Regulation will set out clear conditions for Individual and Class Licenses and will help achieve licensing in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner.

One of the key components for the development of the country will be achieved by fostering Broadband and the TRA is planning to move ahead with its Broadband Licensing Plan with the full support of the Council of Ministers. The Plan includes the issuance of National Broadband Licenses (NBL) and National Broadband Carrier Licenses (NBCL)all of which include mobility (independently of the underlying technology be it Wi-Max, LTE, …) and which will be subject to CoM approval.

Another building block is the access to the Rights of Way and Infrastructure Sharing through the issuance of a decree under Article 35 of the Telecommunications Law 431, which will set the conditions and procedures for using Public Infrastructure, as well as the relevant charges fees and the dispute Resolution procedures.

To view the presentation in full, click here

About ARABCOM

Held in cooperation with the TRA, under the patronage and presence of the minister of Telecom in Lebanon H.E. Eng Gibrane Bassil, this event gathered Ministers, Regulators, Operators, Carriers, service providers, broadcasters, industry leaders, decision makers and content providers as well as media developers, banks and others.

More info can be viewed on ARABCOM official website.