Libya to licence private ISPs

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (PANA) - The government of Libya has indicated that it would issue local private sector companies with full internet service provider (ISP) licences to offer online access across the country for the first time, according to a report by Pyramid Research (PR).

In its daily update on the global telecom industry, PR said several other organisations had been awarded concessions to provide local internet access, including IT services company Al Falak, Bayt Al Shams (BsISP) and Tripoli-based Modern World Communications (a specialist in network infrastructure solutions for companies and public bodies).

However, the report pointed out that details on the status of these companies’ internet access operations were scarce.

State-run Libya Telecom & Technology (LTT) – a wholly owned subsidiary of Libya Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Company (LPTIC) – is the country’s only ISP with an international gateway licence, and also acts as a moderator for the internet sector.

Meanwhile, security concern has prompted Zambia to begin registration of SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards.

Zambia's Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) has embarked on a SIM card registration exercise to enhance security in the telecommunication sector and protect subscribers from hackers.

“The exercise will make it easier for mobile service providers to easily track a SIM card if stolen or lost,” ZICTA said.

To carry out the exercise, the authority is working in partnership with operators Airtel Zambia, Zamtel and MTN Zambia.
-0- PANA AR/SEG 16Aug2012