April 29, 2010

In order to clarify the Authority’s role in regulating the Telecommunications sector to ensure its development and equip Lebanon with the latest tools for effective networks and resources management, the TRA would like to emphasize on its legal obligations in providing regulatory and technical support to the Lebanese Government and its representatives, relying on its solid scientific knowledge and the experience and qualifications of its members.

In light of the above mentioned, and as per the Minister of Telecommunications’ request, Mr. Charbel Nahas, the Authority’s Board designated on March 29, 2010 Dr. Imad Hoballah (Board Member, Head of Telecommunications Technologies Unit), Engineer Patrick Eid (Board Member, Head of the Market and Competition Unit), and Engineer Daniel Hamadeh (Senior Spectrum Expert) to be part of the technical committee which mission is to evaluate the technical components of the Internal Security Forces’ equipment file.

Following the study and evaluation that occurred in cooperation with the last two Committee members in the Ministry of Telecommunications, Engineer Abdullah Kassir and Engineer Diana Bou Ghanem, the TRA members submitted their report to the Board of Directors who approved it prior to its referral to the Minister of Telecom. The report enclosed a scientific technical approach drafted independently of any external influence

As for the resignation of the TRA Chairman, Dr. Kamal Shehadi, and its related various interpretations relayed in the media, the TRA wishes to reiterate the information published in its official press release about the subject where it stated that the resignation of the Chairman is linked to professional and personal reasons only.

For the sake of accuracy of information, the TRA kindly requests from journalists, reporters and all concerned with telecommunications matters to refer to the official statements made by the TRA Board whenever a topic related to the missions and work of the TRA is to be covered. These statements and information are available on the TRA website (www.tra.gov.lb).

The TRA also reiterates that the TRA Board is the sole official source of information of the Authority. All those who wish to gather or access more information can contact the TRA press bureau who constantly works on providing exhaustive, accurate and transparent information to the public. Stakeholders are kindly requested to contact the TRA press bureau by phone (01 964 300) or by e-mail (media@tra.gov.lb) to inquire about any clarification, information or schedule an interview with the TRA Board.