Lebanon revives its Telecom Regulator after 13 years of silence

After more than a decade of paralysis, Lebanon’s telecom sector is finally getting a regulator again. On October 6, Minister of Telecommunications Charles Hajj officially relaunched the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), in the presence of its new chair, Jenny Gemayel. The move aims to restore order and competitiveness in a sector long plagued by deteriorating services, and political interference.

The ceremony held at the Ministry of Telecommunications marked a symbolic turning point. Minister Charles Hajj congratulated the newly appointed chair and board members, stressing that their selection was based on competence rather than political affiliation. He reminded attendees of the consequences of the regulator’s 13-year inactivity: “Degraded services, market anarchy, weakened governance, and a decline in Lebanon’s digital competitiveness,” he said.

According to the official TRA website, the new board of directors was approved by the Council of Ministers on September 11, 2025 a crucial step toward reviving an institution created under the 2002 Telecommunications Law but left dormant for years.

A mission to modernize and reconnect

Minister Hajj outlined the TRA’s mission as “essential to the sector’s recovery”: to organize the market, issue licenses, strengthen competition, encourage innovation, protect consumers, ensure service quality, and expand Internet access at fair prices.

He also unveiled an ambitious national broadband expansion plan, aiming to cover the entire country through fiber-optic networks, fixed-wireless systems, and satellites. Lebanon will also be linked to new submarine and terrestrial cables, improving connectivity and attracting investment.

TRA chair Jenny Gemayel pledged that the Authority would operate with independence, transparency, and professionalism. She announced a clear action plan with measurable objectives, deadlines, and regular progress reports. Her vision: to turn the TRA into a global-standard regulator for telecoms and digital services, capable of positioning Lebanon as a regional tech hub.

Mrs Gemayel also emphasized the need for collaboration between the state, the private sector, and civil society to ensure success.

Challenges: political legacy and structural weaknesses

The relaunch comes after years of bureaucratic and political gridlock. The TRA’s creation was mandated by the 2002 law, but implementation was repeatedly stalled by sectarian disputes and vested interests. Meanwhile, the telecom sector dominated by state-controlled operators suffered from inefficiency, inflated tariffs, and chronic underinvestment.

Adding complexity, the government recently approved a license for Starlink, allowing satellite-based Internet coverage across Lebanon. This will bring competition but also regulatory challenges for the new TRA, which must now define rules for security, taxation, and data sovereignty.

The TRA’s success will largely depend on its ability to assert independence from political influence and enforce regulations effectively. Jenny Gemayel has insisted that transparency and accountability will be central to the Authority’s work.

Yet, the sector faces daunting obstacles including an outdated infrastructure, limited state resources, and declining investor confidence. For many observers, the regulator’s first test will be its ability to issue fair licenses and monitor operators in a market notorious for opacity.

Why this reform matters?

Reviving the TRA is more than an institutional gesture it could be a lifeline for Lebanon’s digital economy. By structuring the telecom market, the Authority could stimulate foreign investment, reduce consumer costs, and improve service quality.

If implemented effectively, it could also play a central role in Lebanon’s digital transformation, from e-governance to innovation ecosystems. Moreover, the TRA’s role in coordinating Starlink’s integration will be crucial for defining Lebanon’s digital sovereignty and managing its cross-border data infrastructure key issues in a region where technology increasingly shapes geopolitics.

The challenge is formidable: success will depend on whether Charles Hajj, Jenny Gemayel, and their team can turn promises of transparency and independence into concrete reforms.

If they succeed, Lebanon could finally reconnect with its digital potential. If not, the TRA risks remaining another well-intentioned institution confined to press releases rather than real regulation.