Roaming service charges
lowered locally and in Gulf

The aim is to attract tourists from GCC countries

The two local mobile operators, Alfa and Touch, and their counterparts in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have agreed to significantly lower the cost of voice and data roaming services both in Lebanon and the GCC countries.

The decision, which takes immediate effect, reduces roaming costs to close to rates available in Lebanon, according the Media Office of the Minister of Telecommunications.

The move aims to encourage tourists from the Gulf to visit Lebanon and to facilitate communications services for Lebanese expatriates residing in GCC countries. Customers will be able to use their own mobile lines without having to resort to convoluted and costly alternatives, the Media Office said. The deal was sponsored by the Lebanese Ministry of Telecommunications (MoT).

Last May, the MoT commissioned the Switzerland-based company Wonet to provide a new Value Added Service (VAS) for roaming.

At $25 per month, Wonet's service allows Alfa and Touch users to use the Internet abroad, consume data, and receive and make phone calls at tariffs equal to local rates.

Wonet is a mobile application that is activated through a new chip and using the subscriber's existing phone number.