Imad Kreidieh, Director General of Lebanon’s public telecom provider Ogero, announced that preparations are underway to launch WiFi 7 technology at Beirut International Airport through the Ogero public WiFi network. Speaking to L’Orient Today on Wednesday, Kreidieh clarified that this is not a new system, but an upgrade from the existing WiFi 5 system, which has been in place since 2018.
He explained that the WiFi 7 upgrade will allow more users to connect without compromising the quality or speed of the service, providing a cost-effective solution without extra charges for users. The ongoing upgrades, which include new routers and equipment management systems, aim to enhance the existing infrastructure, rather than implement an entirely new system.
Kreidieh also mentioned that while some messaging services, such as WhatsApp, might be free under certain conditions, additional plans will be available for services like games or streaming platforms such as Netflix. He emphasized the positive impact of the WiFi 7 rollout as part of a broader initiative to improve Lebanon’s digital infrastructure by 2025.
The announcement comes as Beirut International Airport saw a significant increase in passenger traffic, with 5.62 million arrivals, departures, and transits reported for 2024, according to the latest figures published by the airport and compiled by Byblos Bank’s weekly report, Lebanon This Week.
Tech expert Abed Kataya explained the differences between WiFi 5 and WiFi 7 technologies, highlighting that WiFi 7 has a channel width twice that of WiFi 5, allowing for faster internet speeds and reduced congestion. With WiFi 7, users can enjoy a better experience, especially for video calls and streaming. However, Kataya noted that the upgrade’s effectiveness depends on having a device compatible with WiFi 7.
Despite the advantages of the upgrade, Kataya raised concerns about the timing of the announcement, questioning whether focusing on improving airport WiFi is a priority given the current challenges faced by many areas in Lebanon. In particular, southern Lebanon remains without access to reliable internet services due to the recent war.
In December 2024, caretaker Telecommunications Minister Johnny Corm estimated the damages to Lebanon’s telecom sector at approximately $88 million to $117 million, caused by Israeli aggression. These losses impacted both Ogero, the public fixed-line telephone and internet provider, and the two mobile operators, Alfa and Touch.
