MTC Touch restores '90% of network coverage' in war-affected areas

BEIRUT — Telecom company MTC Touch announced Friday that its network service has been "almost fully restored" in areas affected by the recent war, according to the state-run National News Agency.

The company said more than 90 percent of its transmitting stations have been restored, primarily in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa, and the southern suburbs of Beirut. "As a result, cellular communication and data services are now available to the company's subscribers in these areas at the expected quality standards," the statement said.

MTC Touch added that it has "fully restored network service in the western Bekaa and all its stations in Nabatieh." Its workers, who were "working around the clock," also repaired most of its damaged stations in Sour, Bint Jbeil, Jezzin, Marjayoun, and Mais al-Jabal.

The company said it is developing "alternative and practical solutions" for stations that were completely destroyed, including mobile stations and two Mobile Base Transceiver Stations (MBTS) in Aita al-Shaab and Maroun al-Ras, as well as in the Taybeh-Kfar Kila-Odaisseh triangle. Similar measures were previously implemented in Khiam, Hosh Sour and Mais al-Jabal.

In the southern suburbs of Beirut, 51 sites have been repaired, while five that were completely destroyed are being replaced.

MTC Touch assured that its teams will continue working to maintain reliable transmission service in these areas and across Lebanon.

In December, then-caretaker Telecommunications Minister Johnny Corm said preliminary assessments estimated war-related damage to Lebanon’s telecommunications sector at "between $88 million and $117 million."