Internet in Libya | Largest Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Libya

Largest Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Libya

Marcopolis.net presents largest internet service providers (ISPs) in Libya.

The ministry of communication is planning to create a network and infrastructure to target around 4 million subscribers at Almadar and 6 million subscribers at Libyana. The forecast is at least a 15 to 20% minimum increase in the internet penetration rate and they are targeting to reach at least 50 to 60% by the end of 2014. According to Libya Herald, “At present only 5.5% of the population in Libya have internet access and this is one of the lowest penetration rates in the Middle East and North Africa.”

At the same time, the ministry of communication is finalising a project with LTT for WiMAX technology which is targeting around 400,000 additional subscribers covering more than 110 new cities, because at the moment WiMAX is available in 18 cities. The target is 139 cities in total. This will increase internet penetration.

Regarding the ADSL, Libya has just increased its ADSL subscribers to around 20,000 for the first phase of ADSL and we are targeting another 60,000 by the end of this year. ADSL services operates on the copper network.

The plans are to use ADSL at the moment, despite the wider public want to use WiMAX. However, until the WiMAX project is finished the ministry will double the quota on the ADSL lines with the same price as before until the WiMAX project is finalised and is available.

WiMAX is only offered by LTT. The ministry has not issued any new licenses except for temporary ones for the government owned companies. LTT has a license for WiMax and Libyana has a license for 3G. Also, the ministry has granted a 3G license to Almadar also so that they can carry out their HSBA+ projects.

The country has only one Internet Service Provider (ISP) at present, the state-owned Libya Telecom and Technology (LTT). Founded in 1997, LTT has been providing Libyans with the internet since 1999, introducing wireless broadband in 2009.

Largest Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Libya

 Libya Telecom and Technology Company (LTT)
Libya Telecom and Technology Company is one of the Libyan companies leading the Internet, telecommunications and information technology. Since its creation in 1997, the company implemented scientific studies to establish the first building blocks for a number of projects in the areas of communications, information technology. On 09/01/1999 launched the company’s Internet Project, to become first Internet service provider in Libya. In addition to its monopoly in the provision of many other services, this achievement put Libya Telecom at the forefront of the telecom industry.

 Libyana
Libyana started its GSM mobile services in September 2004, and quickly achieve success in the market by providing extensive network coverage in all key areas throughout Libya. Continuous offering of value added services, and its introduction of 3G services in September 2006, a first in North Africa, has pushed Libyana to market leadership in Libya. Libyana enjoys a dominant position with a market share of around 72 to 73% of the whole market, data and voice. The number of active subscribers that Libyana reached in 2013 is more than 4 million active subscribers.

 Almadar Aljadid
Almadar Aljadid is the second largest mobile operator in Libya and it provides voice and data services.