As bombardments intensify in Lebanon, there’s a growing fear among the population about the potential disconnection from global communication networks if they were to be compromised. This concern is well-founded, considering there are no backup systems in place.
In an interview with This is Beirut, Johnny Corm, the caretaker Minister of Telecommunications, expressed his regret over the absence of a contingency plan to secure internet connectivity in the event of a targeted attack on the communications infrastructure. “I’ve consistently raised this issue,” Corm stated, maintaining a cautiously optimistic outlook that such a scenario would only occur under extreme and deliberate circumstances. “It’s well-known that Lebanon’s internet is dependent on just two cables,” he added.
Corm highlighted that the current emergency strategy is focused on maintaining connectivity for government agencies to ensure they can continue delivering essential services and aid through a wireless system, which, however, cannot cover the entire nation.
Echoing Corm’s sentiments, Imad Kreidieh, Managing Director of Ogero, Lebanon’s public telephone and Internet provider, confirmed that alternatives like Starlink wouldn’t offer a solution under the current circumstances.
