Libya’s telecommunications sector has seen rapid growth over the past several years, culminating in the creation of a third mobile operator. During its third congress of 2008, the Libyan government gave the green light to various Libyan companies to materialize a new series of large-scale projects. The Libyan Fund for Economic and Social Development is now authorized to create a third mobile telephone operator, while the National Organization of Scientific Research has obtained authorities’ approval to sign a contract to launch a Libyan satellite for remote sensing purposes. Improving infrastructural facilities is essential in accomplishing these large-scale projects, and the government plans massive investments in infrastructure over the next ten years. International groups like Alcatel, Siemens, Ericsson and Nokia have already begun operating in Libya, and developments are offering improved opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses to access the internet and IT. The government is investing as much as $15
