Lebanese broadband operator Cedarcom said that several operators in the country have taken legal action against mobile operators Alfa and MTC, as well as the Ministry of Telecom, following moves to launch 3G services without a spectrum licensing process having taken place. In a statement, Cedarcom notes that “despite not having 3G license or 3G frequencies, both Alfa and MTC have taken active steps by cooperating with the suppliers to build the 3G networks. The two new 3G networks are estimated to cost US$80 million and will be paid for in total by the Lebanese citizens’ tax money, i.e. by public funds.” The company has also called on Alfa, which is part of the Orascom Telecom group, and MTC, which operates under the Zain umbrella, to clarify their positions: “we asked Alfa and MTC to publish their 3G licenses and their licensed 3G frequencies without any reply till date, and we challenge them again now in front of the public: Did you get 3G licensed by the Council of Ministers? Did you get 3G frequencies licensed by the TRA [Telecommunications Regulatory Authority]?”

Earlier this month, Lebanese publication The Daily Star said that the Ministry of Telecom had “brushed off” the threat of legal action from Cedarcom, arguing that the two companies installing the infrastructure, Mobile Interim Company One, managed by Alfa, and Mobile Interim Company Two, managed by Zain, are state owned, and therefore do not require licences. Cedarcom is also in a dispute with the Ministry of Telecom about the DSL market, after receiving licences and installing equipment ready to provide services to customers, before subsequently being prevented from offering commercial services.