A1: The mobile market in its current state lacks competition. This is because although the two mobile networks are managed by private companies (MTC Touch and Alfa), ultimately they are owned by the Republic of Lebanon and prices are set by the Council of Ministers. The lack of competition has resulted in high prices in comparison to other countries.
A2: Healthy competition is the best means to achieve high quality service at the lowest prices. The TRA aims to open the market to competition through the licensing of new mobile, broadband and fixed operators. Additionally, the TRA regulates dominant operators in the setting of wholesale prices and monitors retail prices regularly.
A3: Across the world, mobile communications growth brought on by competition has been shown to increase income per capita. In addition, when broadband services have been introduced in developed and developing countries it has resulted in increased jobs, greater business efficiency and improved economies. In Lebanon, Telecommunications Law 431/2002 and the establishment of the TRA has paved the way for the liberalization of the telecommunications market, which in turn will boost the Lebanese economy.
A4: The TRA is committed to bringing about a competitive market for telecommunications. This will result in consumer benefits such as lower prices, higher quality of service and a wider choice of new services.
A5: The TRA is an independent public institution mandated by Law to liberalize, regulate, and develop the telecommunications sector. It is financially independent and subject to the a posteriori control of the Audit Court. Part of the TRA’s work involves liaising with government institutions and its administrative bodies at various levels.
A6: Any regulator needs to be independent from all market players, government institutions and policy makers in order to remain unbiased, fair and transparent. This is in line with Telecommunications Law 431 which calls for best international practices to be followed in setting up an independent telecommunications regulatory authority.
A7: Sector regulation involves issuing rules, directives, and decisions relating to the telecommunications sector. These are issued in line with the Telecommunications Law and with a view to developing the market to the benefit of consumers. All TRA regulatory frameworks incorporate best international practices.
A8: Third generation technology (3G) offers enhanced multimedia capabilities such as voice, data, video, and remote control videoconferencing and high speed broadband data communication at speeds greater than 2 Mbps. New mobile operators coming into the market will be authorized to roll out a 3G infrastructure. This means that 3G mobile services are expected to be available one to two years after the mobile market is privatized.
A9: Broadband technologies use a wide band of frequencies, enabling greater amounts of information to be transmitted. Broadband Internet refers to high-speed capabilities typically obtained through ADSL, cable, wireless technologies, or fiber to the home. Broadband technologies supply at least double the speed of dial-up modems, and usually can be used without disrupting telephone use.
A10: Calls made to emergency services are free of charge from any phone line. However, the TRA is currently assessing the best approach to dealing with emergency service regulation.
A11: VOIP refers to voice transmissions made over any internet network. The TRA is currently studying the market and the legal framework of VOIP services. A regulation will be issued for public consultation on the TRA website in the near future.
A12: The local loop is the physical copper wires that connect customer premises to the central offices of the national telecommunications fixed service provider. Local loop unbundling regulation is designed to assure quality, transparency and fair prices to service providers accessing the local loop in order to provide services such as the ADSL to the public.
A13: Regulation is essential to monitor and promote a competitive, well developed telecommunications market. It allows the TRA to set the framework for market transparency, increased service offerings, monitoring of pricing and behavior, enforcing penalties and facilitating new market entrants.
A14: International bandwidth, which links Lebanon to the rest of the world, is one of the major constraints in the broadband market. Bandwidth has limited availability and its prices are high. To resolve this, the TRA is planning to liberalize the international gateway market by issuing new licenses.