Alcatel-Lucent, CET to Expand Fiber-Optic Network in Lebanon

Alcatel-Lucent, a French company, and Consolidated Engineering & Trading (CET), a local firm, have received a $40m contract from the Lebanon Telecommunications Ministry. Under the contract, local telephone centers will be linked with an optical network. The project will continue for the next 16 months and will cover the first stage of the broadband expansion plan in Lebanon. The ministry will launch the remaining phases of the project subsequently.

The Telecommunications ministry had previously launched a project to deploy advanced broadband and fiber optics throughout the country. The project is expected to cost approximately $60m and will include the deployment of 710 km telephone wire and 2,750 km fiber optics. The ministry announced that Lebanon’s 75% of internet users would get access to 15 Mbps internet in 12 to 18 months.

The existing broadband services in Lebanon have low penetration levels and low data rates at increased prices when compared to other countries. These factors are degrading the Lebanese private sector’s capability to compete globally and regionally, particularly in the services sectors.