Touch Telecommunications and Cellular Data Company announced in a statement that, in accordance with Cabinet Decision No. 155 issued on May 20, 2022, related to changing mobile service tariffs, it will begin applying the new tariffs starting tomorrow, July 1.
The general rule for calculating mobile communication and data prices will be to divide the previous price by three and then calculate the amount based on the Sayrafa platform rate. This mechanism applies to both fixed and prepaid lines, where the price of a minute of fixed line communication has decreased from $0.11 to $0.04, and the monthly subscription fee has dropped from $15 to $5, while maintaining 60 free minutes of communication; on the other hand, the minute of conversation for prepaid lines decreased from $0.25 to $0.08.
Touch is also launching a new offer alongside the price adjustments, which involves a recharge card with a balance of $4.5 that provides its holder with either 56 minutes of communication or 500 MB of data and 12 minutes of conversation, valid for 35 days. Regarding the current balance of subscribers, it will be divided according to Sayrafa's price, such that a balance of 150,000 L.L. for example, will convert to $6.03 after division by 24,900 L.L., giving the holder 75 minutes of communication or 500 MB of data and 31 minutes of conversation.
Additionally, the customer will receive thirty minutes of conversation when using the first three recharge cards priced at $22.73 (excluding VAT), now priced at $7.58 after division by three.
Furthermore, concerning the "In Service" lines for security and military forces and the "With You" service for persons with disabilities, Touch has ensured their availability at a considerate price of $1.5 or its equivalent in Lebanese pounds according to the Sayrafa rate.
For more information, customers can visit the company's website at www.touch.com.lb or the Touch application.
Alpha Company also issued the following statement: "The new communication and internet service tariffs will come into effect from tomorrow, in application of Cabinet Decision, and the new rates include a 67% reduction in service prices (the base price divided by three) followed by calculating the new service cost based on the Sayrafa rate.
This step is in response to the need to maintain the continuity of the mobile sector and the services provided, as this sector is one of the key pillars of the national economy.
It is noted that the need to update systems necessitates the cessation of all cash and electronic payment services and bill payments for two days on July 1 and 2, in all Alpha stores, on the website and app, and points of sale shared with Ogero, as well as all payment centers at authorized agents. Alpha apologizes to its subscribers for this forced stop.
Jad Nasif, Chairman and General Director of Alpha, stated: "The tariff update will ensure that Alpha’s network remains accessible to everyone who relies on our services daily." He noted that the decision was necessary due to the challenges facing the sector, especially amid the economic and financial crisis and the rising cost of securing energy for our stations.
He added: "In the last two years, we adopted a strict austerity and spending rationalization policy. However, updating the tariffs has become essential today to ensure continuity and maintain the quality of the services we provide."
He indicated that "the price adjustments came as a result of a comprehensive study in close coordination with the Ministry of Telecommunications, through which we balanced the need for continuity with the general situation in the country and the citizens' purchasing power. Thus, we proposed recharge cards at reduced prices that meet the needs of various segments, such as the $4.5 card, as well as the $7.58 card, which will soon provide 30 free minutes of communication in addition to its current features. We are also working on activating the ability to convert a fixed line to prepaid soon after securing the technical readiness."
He confirmed that "the new prices are now accessible to subscribers, who can browse the website, the app, and our social media accounts. We have also previously communicated with them via SMS to keep them informed."
He emphasized that "the Alpha team is fully prepared to respond to any inquiries or clarifications related to the updated tariff."
