Alfa (Arabic: ألفا), or Alfa Telecommunications, is a state-owned[1] Lebanese telecom company, founded in 1994,[2] and the only operating GSM networks in Lebanon other than Touch. Previously managed by Orascom TMT, its management had been transferred to the Telecommunications Ministry in 2020.[3][4]
 Alfa headquarter in Furn el Chebbak | |
| Company type | Private/Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Headquarters | Lebanon |
Area served | Lebanon |
Key people | Mr. Jad Nassif (Chairman & CEO) |
| Website | www.alfa.com.lb |
History
Alfa is the network name for the Mobile Interim Company 1 (MIC1), founded in 1994[2] under the name of Cellis, managed by France Telecom.
In 2004, the Lebanese government signed a management contract with FAL-DETE to operate the MIC1 network for four years. FAL-DETE renamed the Cellis network as Alfa.
In 2009 Orascom took over management of MIC1.[4][5]
In March 2010, Marwan Hayek became the CEO of Alfa.[6] In October 2011, Alfa launched Lebanon's first 3G+ technology, and subsequently was also the first operator in Lebanon to introduce 4G-LTE and 4G+ LTE-A technologies.
In 2014, Alfa was reported to have 1.8 million subscribers.[7]
Following the decision by the Lebanese Government to transfer the operations of telecom company to the government. Orascom Telecom and Alfa CEO Marwan Hayek announced on 8 September 2020 the completion of transfer of MIC 1 to the Lebanese government, with the majority of the employees signing a new agreement directly with the government on 8 and 9 September.[8]
Shortly after, caretaker telecommunications minister Talal Hawat announced a new board of director with Jad Nassif as chairman.[9]