Beirut, August 9, 2007

Globalcom Data Services (GDS), the largest Data Operator in Lebanon, is pleased to announce the launch of its DSL access network in the context of a local loop unbundling agreement with the Ministry of Telecommunications. The GDS DSL network is operational immediately in 15 local exchanges: Achrafieh, Nahr, Hamra, Ras Beirut, Ras el-Nabeh, Antelias, Minet el-Hosn, Mazraa, Saida, Furn el-Chebbak, Jdeideh, Justice, Bir Hassan, Zahle and Zouk Mikhael. The network will be extended before December 2007 to 21 additional exchanges, therefore covering all major cities and about 60% of the Telephone Network subscribers. In a first phase the GDS DSL network will offer 50,000 DSL ports, rapidly expandable to 300,000 ports to meet the demand.

The GDS DSL network is the most advanced and up-to-date DSL network deployed in Lebanon. The network equipment has been supplied by the undisputed world leader in DSL networks, Alcatel-Lucent and includes the latest developments in DSL access such as DSL 2+, reach DSL, Annex M etc.

Using the GDS DSL network, all Lebanese ISPs will be able to offer to their subscribers high speed internet connections at an affordable rate and with a service quality in line with the best European and US services. In the future and as regulations permit, advanced services will be offered such as IPTV.

The launch of the GDS network marks the introduction of real competition in the DSL market. In effect, since the official launch of the DSL project in May 2007, the Ministry of Telecommunications was the sole provider of DSL access services to the ISPs.  Today, with the launch of its DSL network, GDS and the Ministry of Telecommunications will be competing for the better good of the Lebanese subscribers.

The unbundling agreement between the Ministry of Telecommunications and GDS allows GDS to share with the Ministry of Telecommunications, the resources of the Public Telephone Network, in particular, the copper line reaching the subscribers, the fiber optic transmission network and the Ministry locations in the areas where the service is introduced. The Ministry and GDS are committed to rapidly introduce the DSL service to all Lebanese Telephone subscribers anywhere in Lebanon.

Today’s launch marks the first time ever in the world where a private operator (GDS) has reached an unbundling agreement with a Public Administration (The Ministry of Telecommunications). Internationally, such an agreement is reached after the creation of a Telecommunications Regulatory Authority independent from the Ministry of Telecommunications and after the transfer of the Telephone Network from the Ministry to a Publicly-owned company. In Lebanon, the unbundling agreement was executed in parallel with the creation of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and while a Publicly-owned company has not been created yet. This success has been made possible by a clear political commitment from the government who has taken all the necessary political and regulatory decisions to insure the successful launch of the DSL project and the implementation of this landmark agreement as well as the creation of the long awaited Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.  Most importantly, this success is to be credited to the dedication of the General Directors of the Ministry, Dr. Abd El-Monhem Youssef and Mr. Naji Andraos and all the efforts of the teams in the Ministry and OGERO. In particular, this launching comes as a crowning to a long process initiated back in 1998 by GDS and Dr. Youssef.

In token of GDS appreciation and at the end of the launching ceremony, GDS Chairman Dr. Habib Torbey has presented the following awards:

-         To the staff of the Ministry and of Ogero, GDS has presented a token of recognition for all their effort towards the success of this project.

-         To the General Director of Equipment and Construction, Mr. Naji Andraos, GDS has presented a token of appreciation for his effective contribution towards building the DSL network

-         To the General Director of Operations and Maintenance, Dr. Abd El-Menhem Youssef, GDS has presented a special tribute for the historic contribution of Dr. Youssef towards the development of the Data Communications market in Lebanon since 1997.

About GDS:
Operating since 1997, GlobalCom Data Services (GDS) is the national leader in wireless data communications offering a complete range of protocol-independent data telecommunication services. GDS has deployed its own telecommunication infrastructure covering all of Lebanese territory. GDS serves thousands of connections under Frame Relay, ATM, Clear Channel, IP + MPLS and X.25 protocols for banks, financial, educational, health institutions, service providers, commercial companies, public institutions and residential subscribers. For more information, please visit GDS on the internet: http://www.gds.com.lb
 

 
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