State-owned telecommunication company Ogero. (Credit: Philip Hage Boutros/L'Orient-Le Jour)
BEIRUT — Ogero Managing Director Imad Kreidieh has warned in a televised interview on Monday that Lebanon's national network is highly vulnerable to potential spying by Israel. Kreidieh added that inadequate funding is impeding maintenance operations to the "dilapidated and outdated" network, hindering efforts to enhance cybersecurity.
"Israel is capable of penetrating our network and spying on us," the managing director said in an interview with local TV channel al-Jadeed. "What is important is how we defend ourselves... [and] establish the necessary capabilities to protect our networks by investing in equipment and bringing in expertise in cybersecurity."
However, Kreidieh highlighted the dire state of the national network, stating that "95 percent of the national network is made of copper and has become dilapidated and outdated. It has long expired, and financial capabilities prevent us from performing maintenance operations."
"If sufficient financial resources are not secured, the Ogero Authority will stop working," Kreidieh added, stressing, however, that reaching this point is not likely.
He added that the war between Hezbollah and Israel in South Lebanon did not significantly affect the Ogero network in those areas "because the infrastructure is underground."
The Lebanese authorities claim to have contingency plans in place to maintain telecommunications in the event of a wider war with Israel.
Caretaker Telecommunications Minister Johnny Corm previously said an action plan is in place to address potential disruptions to telephone and internet services in the event of an Israeli strike, though he declined to disclose specifics due to "confidentiality."
Corm noted that he had received plans from the state-owned internet and fixed-line provider Ogero, as well as from the mobile operators Alfa and Touch. However, the latter two operators did not respond when contacted.
Karim Rifai, Ogero’s head of communications, said the company has developed "Plan B, and even Plans C and D" to prepare for various scenarios.
The option of using Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service, considered last October, is no longer viable, as Corm explained that they have not secured authorization from security services.
On a positive note, Kreidieh revealed in his interview yesterday that the Ogero Authority has received a significant $8.5 million in funding from the Chinese government. He described it as an "in-kind and unconditional gift" that imposed no financial burden on the Lebanese government. Kreidieh also indicated that additional funding from China is forthcoming, though he provided no further details.
