South-South Co-operation: Large Scale Broadband Wireless Network in Libya

To give customers a wide range of easy-to-use wireless broadband services, Libya’s state-owned internet service provider is launching a large scale wireless network. ZTE Corporation of China announced in January 2008 its agreement with Libya Telecom to help build a commercial Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) network. ZTE is one of China’s largest manufacturers of telecommunications equipment and is quickly becoming one of the largest suppliers of WiMAX equipment. ZTE provides Internet Protocol (IP) WiMAX product solutions including compact and high-capacity base stations, access gateway, network management system, Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) and IP Multimedia System (IMS).

The network is expected to cover 18 cities. By early 2009, it provided access to 300 000 business and residential subscribers. There are 51 000 broadband subscribers in Libya and about 170 000 consumers that depend on slow dial-up connections. The new service is expected to increase broadband take-up, though the USD 30 per month cost is twice current tariffs. These prices should fall as more customers join the service.

Source: Author.