Lebanese Operators Coping With Military Crisis

Lebanon's Telecoms Ministry has said that due to the ongoing crisis in the country, they will not disconnect any landline or mobile phones where the bills have not been paid, "until further notice." There is conflicting information about the state of communications in Lebanon, with local reports insisting that cellular services are still functioning. However, the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs has issued a warning that communications are now severely disrupted, after missile strikes against the cellular networks.

"The relatives in the Philippines in Lebanon should not worry if they are unable to contact their loved ones by mobile phone," DFA said in a statement.

The Ministry has also arranged with the two state controlled mobile operators to distribute extra PrePay tariff top-up cards in areas where refugees from the countryside are congregating. PrePay cards usually expire after a few months, but under the new agreement - the expiry dates will be waived.

"In coordination with the Telecommunications Ministry, the validity of the prepaid cards will be unlimited," Alfa head of communications Aline Karam said in a statement on Monday. "All Alfa prepaid cards that were 'burned' over the past days will be re-activated free of charge."

Posted to the site on 19th July 2006