Lebanon Audit Says Illegal Internet Networks Cost Hundreds of Millions, Serving 1 Million Users
Updated
Updated · today.lorientlejour.com · Aug 21
Lebanon Audit Says Illegal Internet Networks Cost Hundreds of Millions, Serving 1 Million Users
2 articles · Updated · today.lorientlejour.com · Aug 21
Summary
Hundreds of millions of dollars in Lebanese state revenue were lost to illegal internet networks, the Court of Audit said, with the unlicensed operators serving about 1 million subscribers.
Poor enforcement of existing regulations was identified as the main reason the networks were able to keep operating and draining revenue.
The report centers on Lebanon's internet sector, where illegal providers have undercut public telecom income that should have flowed through licensed channels.
The findings add pressure on authorities to tighten oversight of the market and enforce rules against unauthorized networks.
Who truly controls Lebanon's digital sovereignty when unregulated private networks hold nearly double the subscribers of the official state provider?
If unauthorized operators provide better connectivity than the state, will cracking down on them actually plunge Lebanon into a deeper digital blackout?