NNA - Caretaker Minister of Tele-Communications, Johnny Al-Corm, held a press conference on Tuesday in which he discussed the fixed sector tariff, which will become LBP 200,000 with 1,000 talk minutes, explaining the reasons and circumstances that led to this amendment.

Corm pointed to the various problems that the sector suffers from, which, if not addressed, will result in negative ramifications. "I called for this conference to talk about the two points, tariff and the Internet through an unlicensed network…Based on my position, I consider that I have duties to ensure the continuity of this sector, especially since it suffers from numerous issues that can lead to its downfall if not addressed,” Corm underlined.

He also considered that the intimidations made to citizens are unacceptable, as they put them at loss and in confusion, since some thought that tariff amendments include the cell phone sector as well. He affirmed, herein, that the mobile phone sector has absolutely nothing to do with the new amended tariff, since its tariffs have already been modified previously and have been linked to “Sayrafa” rates, thus solving its problem.

The Tele-Communications Minister continued to indicate that "the decree amending the tariff was transferred to the Council of Ministers, which has two options: either to amend the tariff, which is the right decision, or to cover the cost through subsidies that we tried previously with the Lebanese Lira, the electricity sector, foodstuffs, and oil, whereby the citizen ended up paying the price…so do we go back to that approach?!”

As for the Internet sector through a network established without a license, Corm referred to decree #9458 which deals in its provisions, especially the fourth section, with this illegal phenomenon that violates the laws. He added that articles 16 and 17 of said decree stipulate taking control of the network and placing it at the disposal of the Tele-Communications Ministry until the appropriate decision is taken by the concerned judiciary, while the Tele-Communications Ministry works to secure the service.

Finally, Corm highlighted the need for everyone’s cooperation, otherwise anyone who does not comply with the decree will have to be referred to the concerned judiciary. “We hope that the Council of Ministers will take the appropriate decision regarding amending the fixed sector tariff," he concluded.

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