Internet Prices Set To Skyrocket After 700% Increase Approved

After yesterday’s caretaker cabinet meeting, Minister of Telecommunications Johnny Corm announced that the government approved a measure to increase Ogero’s prices by a magnitude of seven. Rumours had been swirling about the increase for a few months now, but it was finally made official yesterday.

This is what the new prices will look like:

This 700% increase will see the lowest bundle go from $1.61 (at 90,000 LL-USD) to $11.1, while the largest bundle is set to jump from $10 to $70.

Ogero’s prices were last updated a little over a year ago. Since Ogero is the country’s telecommunications monopoly, all internet providers across Lebanon are set to follow suit with the price changes, creating an even greater burden on residents suffering from sky-high inflation and rampant economic instability.

Ogero and associated ISPs have been suffering from patchy service and blackouts in some areas of the country, mostly owing to problems with regional electricity provision. Those within the company, and the ministry of telecommunications claim this increase is necessary to keep the company operating and avoid further deterioration of service quality.

These price hikes are an additional financial burdens for an already struggling population, hindering access to crucial online services and exacerbating the digital divide in the country. With a lot of livelihoods, from companies, to remote workers to taxis, delivery drivers, and more now reliant on the internet to earn their income.