December 30, 2008

"Telecom for Lebanon – Tapping the Diaspora" is an event organized under the auspices of the Minister of Telecommunications, H.E. Gebran Bassil and co-organized by The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of Lebanon, Berytech Technology Pole, The Partnership for Lebanon (PFL) and The Professional Computer Association of Lebanon (PCA)

"Telecom for Lebanon" calls upon industry executives from the Lebanese Diaspora to share know-how and provide insights to the homeland, develop linkages between local private-public institutions with counterparts in the Diaspora; and assist in fostering strategic telecom projects that could stimulate economic growth and provide guidance to both the public and private sectors.

The event took place in Beirut on December 29, 2008 at the Metropolitan Palace Hotel. A plenary session in which the speakers presented the topics to be discussed was followed by 5 round table sessions addressing the below strategic issues:

A- Lebanese Diaspora contribution in Telecom development:

With an estimated figure of 15 million Lebanese living abroad, and remittances reaching $5.5 billion in 2007, Lebanon relies heavily on the Diaspora for economic, social, and political development.

• How could Lebanon benefit from the Diaspora’s experience to create an enabling environment conducive to the growth and development of the telecom sector?
• What are the key contributions and measures that could be undertaken by the Diaspora to promote a competitive telecom market?
• What are the proposals and practical applications?
• Implementation and monitoring?

B- Lebanon, an Information Society, Hub of the MENA region: Media City, Technology zones, ICT areas:

In line with the medium and long term strategy, Lebanon is paving the way to a knowledge- based economy with cutting edge technologies (Telecom, IT, ICT ...).

• What are the requirements needed to create a Media/ IT City?
• What resources and infrastructure need to be in place to guarantee the success of such an objective?
• What are the lessons learned?
• What are the specific regional needs?

C- Reforms: Privatization, Liberalization, Regulation, creation of Liban Telecom:

The Government of Lebanon, recognizing the urgent need for reform in the telecommunications sector, has committed to implement a set of key reforms (creation of Liban Telecom, privatization of the two state- owned mobile networks, and the liberalization of Broadband) as highlighted in Article 56 of the Ministerial Declaration 2008.

• What are the recommendations required to guarantee the success of the transition to Liban Telecom?
• What are the trade-offs in case the incumbent is not established anytime soon; and should implementation of one reform be linked to the implementation of other reforms?
• While taking into account the escalating burden of the public debt, how should proceeds from privatization be allocated so as to guarantee their optimum use?
• What measures are needed to enable the Lebanese Treasury to implement a fiscal adjustment strategy?

D- Impact on the Economy growth: Telecom spread, Call Centers, e-Applications, Infrastructure and services

Liberalizing the telecom sector is key to the growth and competitiveness of the Lebanese economy- a factor which has proven worldwide to attract investments, lead to the development of state-of the-art services, and create high value added jobs.

• Could we quantify the benefits derived from such liberalization; and what is the impact of liberalization on the Lebanese economy?
• What are the key priorities regarding service programs that would enable synergy and promote economic development such as: Call Centers, Broadband, e-Applications (Business, Learning, Health, Commerce, government…), Internet Mobile...?
• How can Lebanon use telecom to promote social, cultural and regional development?

E- Broadband Lebanon: The Roadmap, Pilot Projects, Regionally balanced development.

Broadband is a hot topic that divides stakeholders and calls for consensus...!

In order to be able to fully implement Broadband, investments, economies of scale, state of the art technologies, proper infrastructure, access to public works, and a legal and regulatory framework should be put into place .... Therefore, the success of broadband relies on many factors.

• What are the options that could be adopted at low cost which enable Lebanon to take full advantage of broadband services?
• What is the sequence and timing of Broadband implementation?
• What measures should we adopt to ensure the deployment of a minimum set of high-quality services at affordable prices in rural and remote areas across Lebanon?

The TRA presented by the Chairman Dr. Kamal Shehadi and the board members Head of TTU and MCU units , Dr. Imad Hoballah and Mr. Patrick Eid, participated on the Reforms and Broadband tables(C and E).

The sessions that started at 10 am and ended at 5 pm turned out to be very fruitful and successful and the results and recommendations were announced and debated in a closing session opened to the public and media. The session was opened by The Minister H.E. Gebran Bassil who proposed his policy paper to the public.

The event was followed by a Gala dinner at the Dubai Hall of the Metropolitan Palace Hotel to cloture and celebrate the success of the event.