January 23, 2008

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) with the collaboration of Cisco, on behalf of the Partnership for Lebanon, organized a workshop titled “Broadband Stakeholders Workshop” under the auspices of H.E. Marwan Hamadeh, Minister of Telecommunications (MOT), on Thursday January 17th 2008. It gathered a large number of experts from ISPs and DSPs as well as the Director General of Construction and Equipment at the MOT, Eng. Nagi Andraos, and other key officials in the Telecommunications industry to discuss challenges related to the implementation and development of high-speed broadband in Lebanon.

With the main objective of growing the Lebanese economy, the National Broadband Strategy is a project initiated by the Partnership for Lebanon. The Broadband plan would bring larger, high speed communication pipes that would allow Lebanese citizens to have faster access to information and change the way they live, work, play, and learn.

H.E Marwan Hamadeh said, “One of the achievements that I am the most proud of is the launch of the TRA. I am looking forward to the dissemination of broadband in Lebanon. I want to have a less politicized telecom environment. Business will continue thanks to the determination of the Lebanese population. We will do our best to get Lebanon back on the regional telecom scene”.

The morning panel revolved around network architecture, regulatory framework and market dynamics; in addition to a business case that was developed by international experts. It was formed by a considerable number of speakers from the TRA and Cisco: Kamal Shehadi, PhD (Chairman and CEO, TRA), and former government officials from Switzerland, Portugal, and the United States.
Dr. Robert Pepper, Senior MD-Global Advanced Technology Policy, Cisco, stated: “Lebanon is lucky to have a visionary TRA, providing leadership to attract investment that will lead to pervasive connectivity to all Lebanese. Competition can drive broadband deployment and adoption and this will benefit all of Lebanon and its citizens”.
Dr. Kamal Shehadi, Chairman and CEO of the TRA, elaborated on the vision of the TRA regarding broadband implementation: “Lebanon is poised to leap-frog to a connected, broadband society. The TRA is kicking off the process of issuing new broadband licenses and issuing new regulations to enable the growth and development of broadband connectivity, which we hope to complete in 2008. Our vision is one of a competitive broadband market, where consumers have connectivity, choice, and competitive prices”. And he added: “The TRA has benefited tremendously from the support of HE Minister Marwan Hamadeh and the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. The TRA agenda is an integral part of the Government of Lebanon’s economic reforms and we will continue to work to make telecommunications an engine for growth and development in Lebanon”.

The afternoon panel was moderated by Diogo Vasconcelos, Director and distinguished fellow at Cisco and it focused on the private sector’s demands for next generation broadband and its application in various sectors such as e-government, health, media, and education.
Mr. Fadi Sabbagha, CEO Born Interactive, elaborated on the obstacles faced by his sector: “Every year, we are losing 5000 hours waiting for downloads”
Dr. Nadim Cortas, Vice President for Medical Affairs, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center at AUB, highlighted one the doors that broadband will open: “With real broadband, we would be able to provide telemedecine in the rural areas”.
Robert Madi, CIO LBCI, ended with a multi-media perspective: “LBC has thousands of video archives that we would like to make available online”.

The TRA has joined hands with Cisco on this project, recognizing that broadband is the key driver for the country’s considerable growth. The new Broadband strategy is also defining new ways of communicating, working, and running businesses. It’s a powerful tool for diluting distances and giving the Lebanese businesses a competitive edge on both local and international levels.