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What is the new WiFi 7 upgrade at Beirut airport?

"WiFi 7 allows more users to connect without affecting the quality and speed of the service, providing a cost-effective solution without extra charges for users," Director General of Lebanese public telecoms provider Ogero, Imad Kreidieh told L’Orient Today.

What is the new WiFi 7 upgrade at Beirut airport?

One of the halls at Beirut international airport. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today)

BEIRUT — The Director General of Lebanese public telecoms provider Ogero, Imad Kreidieh told L’Orient Today Wednesday that "preparations are underway to launch the latest WiFi7 technology soon through Ogero's public WiFi network at Beirut international airport.

Kreidieh explained to L’Orient Today that the ongoing upgrades from WiFi 5 to WiFi 7 technology for the public WiFi network at Beirut airport are not a “new technology or system but rather an upgrade to the existing WiFi system at the airport. WiFi 5 has been at the airport since 2018 and it’s time for an upgrade.”

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He explained that “WiFi 7 allows more users to connect without affecting the quality and speed of the service, providing a cost-effective solution without extra charges for users.”

The upgrade is already in progress and is not a new system, but rather an enhancement to the existing infrastructure, including new routers and equipment management systems.

“Regarding messaging services like WhatsApp, some services could be free under certain conditions, and different plans will be available for services like games or Netflix,” Kreidieh explained.

Kreidieh highlighted “the positive impact of this development, stating that the upgrade is part of a broader effort to improve the digital infrastructure in Lebanon in 2025. The general condition in the country is a positive one and we wanted to announce the good news.”

The number of passengers at Beirut international airport (arrivals, departures, and transits) reached 5.62 million in 2024 according to the latest figures published by the airport and compiled by the weekly report Lebanon This Week by Byblos Bank on Tuesday. 

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‘WiFi 7 provides a faster, less congested internet service’

Abed Kataya, a tech expert, explained to L’Orient Today that WiFi 5 and 7 technologies each have distinct features.

“The channel width of WiFi 7 is twice that of WiFi 5, allowing for faster internet speeds and data transfer. WiFi 7 can handle more users, video calls, and streaming with less congestion, providing a better overall experience,” Kataya explained.

“Without a device compatible with WiFi 7, you cannot access its physical features, meaning you won’t benefit from the enhanced speeds and reduced congestion. The newer and better the device, the faster and more effectively it will connect to WiFi 7. All devices that are connected to the internet must support this feature to take full advantage of WiFi 7’s capabilities,” he continued.

Kataya explained that airports install WiFi 7 for various reasons: to accommodate many users, reduce congestion, and maintain a strong signal.

However, Kataya explained that the timing of this announcement "makes me wonder if this should be Ogero's priority right now. Many people, as a result of the war, in the south for example, don't have access to internet services in their region so it is quite controversial to be focusing on upgrading to faster internet at the airport now instead of essential infrastructure." 

In December 2024, caretaker Telecommunications Minister Johnny Corm estimated the damages to his sector at "approximately $88 million and $117 million" due to the Israeli aggressions against Lebanon. According to a press release, these losses pertain to the public fixed-line telephone and internet operator Ogero, as well as the two mobile phone operators, Alfa and Touch.

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‘WiFi 7 at the airport is not a priority’

However, for Mohammad Najem, the executive director of the Lebanese digital rights organization SMEX, this upgrade is a “mere technical issue.”

“Of course this upgrade is important but we are talking about a country that's the main public university, the Lebanese University does not have WiFi. Areas in the north and the south suffer from lack of connectivity or a poor connection so is it really a priority when it comes to internet services in Lebanon to upgrade the airport WiFi” he said.

Najem lamented this decision by Ogero explaining that “if we were to provide better internet services in Lebanon, the priority should be to small businesses, enterprises and entrepreneurs who could use it rather than just improving the internet quality at the airport.” 

BEIRUT — The Director General of Lebanese public telecoms provider Ogero, Imad Kreidieh told L’Orient Today Wednesday that "preparations are underway to launch the latest WiFi7 technology soon through Ogero's public WiFi network at Beirut international airport.Kreidieh explained to L’Orient Today that the ongoing upgrades from WiFi 5 to WiFi 7 technology for the public WiFi network at...