12 Hrs
Source:
النهار
Lebanon's Digital Path
The experiences of the UAE and Saudi Arabia show that introducing private investment into telecommunications does not require the state to relinquish control: the Emirates Investment Authority owns 60% of e&, while Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund holds a 62% stake in stc. By contrast, Lebanon’s policy proposes selling up to 40% of Telecom Lebanon to a strategic investor within two years and giving that investor management control, with the possibility of selling all the shares later. This raises concerns about control over the international gateway, submarine cables, and fiber-optic networks. The article calls for a model that balances private investment with the state’s continued ownership of strategic assets and authority over them, while completing laws on digital sovereignty, cybersecurity, and data governance, and strengthening an independent regulator before operational control is transferred.
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