Early last month the state-owned Libya Telecom and Technology (LTT) internet provider launched the country’s first 4G portable WiFi routers. It was initially available in Tripoli, Misrata, Zawiya, Sebha, Benghazi Shahat and al-Bayda. Monthly plans are — at LD35-LD75 (US$26-US$56) for 10-30 GB of data usage — more expensive than in other parts of North Africa including Tunisia. So far only the state-owned company provides this service.
Despite the high price there is high and relatively inelastic demand for the new 4G service. Local sources have complained about the expense, but have also noted that the service is reliable and extremely useful in situations when alternative internet services are not operating. Libya’s internet is notoriously slow and unreliable. The connection often gets cut when clashes break out or in the east when the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) conducts operations in Benghazi.
In addition to the new 4G service in Libya’s major cities, the LPTIC itself has now re-united for the first time since civil unrest broke out in 2014. It will therefore begin working on resuming US$1.7 billion worth of projects to improve the telecom infrastructure. The re-unification follows January’s first unified meetings in four years that have been held with LPTIC staff from all the country’s regions. LPTIC also signed a US$80 million contract with Arabsat in February for satellite backup, border control, and oil facilities services for 15 years. The infrastructure projects are expected to include improving high-speed mobile wireless connections. Some issues still need to be resolved with the re-unification, including how to cope with an organisation that has twice as many employees as necessary. These are, however, two positive signs that Libyans and foreign investors and diplomats will soon have better access to modern telecommunications infrastructure.
This segment is from Menas Associates’ weekly Libya Politics & Security analysis. Please contact our marketing team if you would like to receive a free sample version.
