GDS launches new
Broadband Internet Access for residential users

Beirut, 7 October 2004 – Under the auspices and presence of H.E Engineer Jean Louis Cordahi, Minister of Telecommunications, GDS, the largest data operator in Lebanon, is proud to officially launch Broadband Internet Access that will enable to offer Broadband Internet to residential users. This service is launched in close coordination and partnership with:

- The Lebanese Ministry of Telecom (LMT)
- The three major Internet Service Providers (ISP) in Lebanon: Cyberia, IDM
  and Terranet.

The new Broadband Internet Access service is based on:

- High-Speed Internet access up to 512 Kbps dedicated to residential users;
  several plans are designed to meet the market needs in terms of
  bandwidth, starting at 128 Kbps
- Carefully planned tariffs starting at 45$/month
- Data License awarded to GDS since 1997 by the Council of Ministers and
  licensed frequencies allocated by the LMT to GDS
- GDS infrastructure deployment covering all Lebanon
- Internet Access made available by the LMT to the ISPs at new reduced
  tariffs
- Ability of residential users to freely choose the ISP
- 24 hours / 7 days support

Support procedure
In case of problem or difficulties, kindly call the support of your ISP who is in charge of the first level of troubleshooting. The ISP support team is continuously and directly coordinating with GDS to quickly solve the problem. In case an onsite intervention is needed, GDS is committed to perform it and repair within less than 48 hours.

Currently, the Broadband Internet Access is available to residential users in: Greater Beirut, Tripoli, Saida, Jounieh and Jbeil. By mid of 2005, all major Lebanese cities will be covered with a planned initial capacity of 20,000 users.

Up to now, Broadband Internet Access was only available to Corporate users. The new Residential service is made possible after the reduction in Internet tariffs by the Ministry of Telecommunications and the deployment by GDS of the latest Broadband Access Technology dedicated to Residential Users with an investment plan reaching more than 12 M$. GDS’ equipment suppliers for this new project are Cisco from the US, SR Telecom from Canada and Ericsson from Sweden. Lebanon is the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to deploy such Broadband Access Technology and is one of the recognized world leaders in Wireless Broadband Access Services.

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