A1:
The current allocation for the Bands 2300 - 2400 MHz and 2500 - 2690 MHz is for Broadband Wireless Access Services. TRA issued a Spectrum Refarming and Packaging paper and Broadband Licensing Plan for Public Consultation elaborating on the different options for using those bands of which making them available for Mobile and IMT-Advanced Family of Standards services.. The Band 3400 – 3600 MHz is allowed for the BFWA (Broadband Fixed Wireless Access). Currently, there are licensed Service Providers offering Data Services over those Bands, as per their Interim Licenses granted by the TRA.

WiMax technology was selected as a part of the IMT-Advanced Family of Standards under the WRC-2007 ITU-R World Conference and Lebanon MOT/TRA were involved in this ITU-R World Conference and Lebanon didn’t file any objection on such a decision, and therefore the decision by any Service Provider to use a specific technology based on an International Standard to provide the Services that he is licensed to offer under his License, is agnostic to the TRA.

Technical features to be used depend on the Technical strategy adopted by each Service Provider in line with his business and marketing plan. As long as the used technology is according to an International Standard and the Licensed Service Provider comply with the TRA Regulations, there are no additional constraints related to Technical features per say. TRA issued in May 2009, a Public Consultation on the Broadband Technical Requirements and Broadband Licensing Plan which provided detailed information to all Industry players on the minimum requirements Licensed Service Providers are subject to. You can visit the TRA Website http://www.tra.gov.lb/Broadband-Licensing-Plan-and-Broadband-Network-Requirements for more details.

Currently we have 7 Licensed Data Service Providers whose Interim Licenses entail Spectrum assignments in the above mentioned Bands.