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Explore the current state of internet access in South Lebanon, identify obstacles, and propose solutions for improved connectivity in remote areas. Study covers zones of influence, obstacles, and a regional action plan for internet development.
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Internet access in remote and disadvantaged areas (The case of south Lebanon) Abdulilah Dewachi Therese Khairallah Mahasin Ajam Ayman Moghnieh
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY • Review present state of Internet Access in South Lebanon • Defining existing types of internet access • Identifying Data and Internet providers, the available network settings and other internet related projects • Identifying obstacles to Internet services’ deployment • Suggest short and mid-term solutions • Commercial & Technical conditions • Potential sources of funding
Marjeyoun Klayaa Khiam KafarKila DETAILED MAP OF COVERED REGION • Situated in the area of South-Lebanon liberated from Israeli occupation in 2001 • Capital of the casa: Marjeyoun • Biggest agglomeration: Kfarkila followed by Khiam • Significant seasonal variation in number of residents
ZONES OF INFLUENCE • 2 different zones of influence based on significant dissimilarities in: • Urban development level • Cultural level • Educational & Health level • Zone 1: Marjeyoun is the educational and health center of the whole casa • Zone 2: KafarKila is the capital of the south sub-region as the most densely populated area
Internet Status -1- • Absence of Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN), the basic infrastructure needed for Internet access • Replacement of PSTN with a Private Switch Telephone Network (PrSTN) in some areas such as Merjeyoun & Klaya’a • Presence of Sub-ISP’s, as Local Internet Providers: • Deployment of Internet access in Internet cafes in 5 areas over wireless technologies and over PrSTN • Deployment of Internet access for individuals through PrSTN • Very low percentage of Internet access through PSTN and over GPRS in Internet cafes: upload PSTN & download Via Satellite
Number of Internet Cafes Number of Home users Internet Status -2- • Local Internet providers stopped by the Ministry of Telecommunication in March 2003 as part of the cabling ban act. • Average daily number of Internet users frequenting Internet cafes in the region did not exceed 53 during low season & 80 during high season
INTERNET DEVELOPMENT OBSTACLES • Non availability of developed infrastructure : No PSTN => Higher basic investments => High subscription price & Lower Service Standards • Unclear legalization: Illegal Internet access due to illegal local Internet providers • Limited number of computer installationsin educational, corporate and household sectors • Low Computer and Internet literacyespecially in the Kafarkila Zone • Low Purchase Power: bad economical conditions after the liberation
MAJOR PRIORITIES PER VILLAGE • Defined priorities: • Infrastructure • ICT training • CIAC: Communal Internet Access Center • Amelioration of access quality ICT Training & CIAC are sponsored during a short term period, but should become financially independent and self sustained afterwards
Suggested Regional Action Plan • The Conceived action plan is divided into three phases: • First Phase: The elevation of the ICT literacy rate The establishment of the Computer labs in public schools, and the launch of the Internet Caravan • Second Phase: Providing Internet Connectivity The establishment of the Communal Internet Access Centers • Third Phase: Amelioration of Internet Quality Encouraging ISPs and public institutions to invest in the improvement of the Internet Quality (Base Station, Leased lines…)
Phase 1: The elevation of the ICT literacy rate -1- • The currently ICT literacy rate is 3% • The Required ICT rate is 10% • The number of residents targeted by the ICT training is more than 2,400
Villages targeted by public schools ICT training initiative are (blue circle): Marjeyoun Blat Khiam(2) Kfar Kila Taybeh (2) Villages targeted by Caravan ICT training initiative are (yellow square): -Blat Debbeen Ibl Essaki Klayaa Burj El Muluk Deir Mimass - Kfar Kila Oudaisseh Phase 1: The elevation of the ICT literacy rate -2-
Yellow Circle: Internet Café. Red Circle: Intended Communal Access center. * The connection between villages symbolizes proximity or the ability of the residents of one village to use the services present in the other village. Phase 2: Providing Internet Connectivity Phase 2 includes the establishment of three CIAC in the following villages: - Taybeh - KfarKila - Khiam
Phase 3: Amelioration of Access Quality Suggestions for: • The establishment of a local base station to provide adequate Internet access quality (project addressed to Lebanese ISPs) • The provision of Digital and Analogue Leased Lines by the MPT to the local corporate sector