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This article is from the Lebanon FAQ, by Alaa Dakroub dakroub@leb.net with numerous contributions by others.

5. How can I phone Lebanon and which carrier gives the cheapest rates ?

Using the *local* Lebanon number 04-961345 as example, you dial:

011 961 4 961345 (to use AT&T)
10 222 011 961 4 961345 (to use MCI)
10 333 011 961 4 961345 (to use SPRINT)

Note how the Metn area code 04 has been used *without* the leading
zero. These calls do not require an operator.

Telephone Area codes in Lebanon:

1 Beirut
3 Cellular Network area code, <--- New
it covers (or should cover soon) all Lebanon.
4 Metn
5 Al-shouf
6 The North
7 the South
8 Al-biqqaa
9 Keserwan

For France :
you have to Dial the 19 to get the international tone, Lebanon's code,
the area code and your correspondent number. To call the same number
as above you will have to dial :

19 961 4 961345

the rates are as follows (time is French time +1 GMT, +2GMT summer time):

Day      00:00  08:00                  21:30       00:00
--------------------------------------------------------
Mon-Sat  |xxxxxxxx|**********************|xxxxxxxxxxx|       
--------------------------------------------------------
Sun &    |xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx|
holidays |
--------------------------------------------------------

* : normal rate : 15.19 FF/min
x : reduced rate: 12.52 FF/min

rate via an operator (call 19 33 961): 21.30 FF/min

Some useful information about Cellular phones in Lebanon:
[by Wadih "Eddi" Rmaili, update by Kimmo Ketolainen]
1- Can I use my GSM-phone with my SIM-card in other country ?

If you have a GSM-phone , you can use it in every other country who
has a valid GSM-Network, in one condition, that your home GSM-operator
has a contract with the GSM-operator(s) in this country. You don't
need to change your SIM-card(chip card), your phone will automatically
find an available GSM-network(s) that you can use.

You can use your GSM-phone in about 80 countries, check
http://www.gsmworld.com/

Lebanon valid contracts with the other operators in Europe, and around
the wrold.

2- Do all the GSM phones work in the GSM-networks in Lebanon ?

Most GSM-phones use a frequency band around 900 MHz, but some
countries has began to use another additional frequency band to the
900 MHz,to support more customers, because the 900 MHz band is almost
full. The new band is 1800 MHz (1,8 GHz). PCS system, mainly in North
America and some other countries uses the Band of 1900 MHz.

Are you going to send a GSM-phone to Lebanon , you have to choose a
900 MHz GSM-phone. The 1800 MHz phones are not supported. Nevertheless
you can check for roaming to be able to use your card on a 900 MHz
phone in Lebanon.

3- How much did a GSM-phone cost in Lebanon ?

Note: The price comparison contained here is out of date, it remains
in the FAQ just for the historical sake. It is to be noted that most
of European operators offers reduction on GSM phones, of course under
teh condition of subscribing with them for a year or so, this kind of
reductions is not applied in Lebanon (I guess because there is no
marketing need for that !) The most popular GSM phones in Lebanon.

Ericsson GH337 = 900$.
Ericsson GF337 (the same as GH337,better design) = 950$ - 1000$.
Nokia 2110 = 1000$.
Philips 747 (same phone as Nokia 2110) = 950$.
Motorola 7200(7500 = 800$.
Motorola 8200 = 1200$.

Other Phones

Nokia 2010
Motorola 5200
Sharp TGQ400 (the same as Ericsson GH337),
Siemens S3+,
Alcatel HB200,HB100
Orbitel.

4- How much did a GSM phone cost in Sweden ? (May 1995 =min),(June
1995=max)

Motorola 5200 = 900 kr(min) - 5000 kr(max) = 125$ - 700$
Motorola 7200 = 1100 kr(min) - 6000 kr(max) = 155$ - 850$
Motorola 8200 = 5000 kr(min) - 10000kr(max) = 690$ - 1400$
Motorola Flare = 2000 kr(min) - 5000 kr(max) = 280$ - 700$
Ericsson GH337 = 4000 kr(min) - 9500 kr(max) = 555$ - 1300$
Ericsson GF337 = 5000 kr(min) - 10500kr(max) = 690$ - 1450$
Ericsson GH198 = 2000 kr(min) - 6500 kr(max) = 280$ - 900$
Sharp TQG400 = 3000 kr(min) - 10000kr(max) = 420$ - 1400$
Nokia 2110 = 3000 kr(min) - 9000 kr(max) = 420$ - 1250$
Nokia 2010 = 1400 kr(min) - 5000 kr(max) = 200$ - 700$
Siemens S3 = 1000 kr(min) - 5000 kr(max) = 140$ - 700$
Siemens S3+ = 1500 kr(min) - 6500 kr(max) = 215$ - 900$

The prices depends on which operator and your 12 months contract with him
to use his network and the kick back they pay to the stores. The offer
was only under May. Now the prices are back to normal(max).
This price war will be back in August/September. And so do I.

My favorites phones : 1- Ericsson GF337/GH337. 2-Nokia 2110. 3- Motorola 8200. 4- Ericsson GH198. 5- Motorola 7200.

----

France Telecom announced that it has [will ?] have a program in which
subscribers can designate three numbers which they call usually, you
pay 15 FF per two months and you have 15% of discount on the calls made to
these destination. it might be of intreset but i did not check the
exact info yet stay tuned.

There was a couple of announcement on sc.lebanon about other operators
who offers the rate of $1.33/mn any day any time, the announcer claimed
that calls are billed in 6 seconds increments.

The same kind of systems can be used also outside the US, by using a
"callback" company. It's useful if you want to call another
country. The "callback" company gives you a trigger number in the US,
when you call this number it rings without any answer (so the call is
not billed by the local operator) then you hang up. The system calls
you back on a pre-determined number and gives a US dial tone which you
can use to call where you want. The rates of calling France is $0.41
(from the US, since it's the system who calls you) added to the $1.33
(US --> Lebanon) it ends up to $1.74 plus usually 20 cents => $1.94 or
sometimes $1.86 approx 9.0 FF which is good compared to the above
rates (73% and 52% of the rates of France Telecom) specially that it's
at any time any day, it makes a difference.

I received the following in my mailbox about Cyberlink and MCI:
-------------
MCI (800-672-8054) lowest rate is $1.76 per minute excluding a possible 20%
discount to three numbers for calls made between 5pm and 8am US time. There
is a $3 per month charge for this and calls outside this period cost
$2.33/min.

--> Update (09/95)
Cyberlink (800-963-8437, fax 612-378-7514) offers $1.33 per minute
flat rate (any time, any number, 6 sec billing) without monthly
charges or minimums or switching carriers. People in France can email
to phone4less@aol.com or leave their address/faxnumber at 05-910807.

Cyberlink provides this service and has been in business since 1986. It has a
billing volume of more than $100 million. You can get business references
from Dunn (rating company). Calls are charged to a credit card. Most
creditcards offer extra protection for unauthorized charges or in case you
have disputes with the merchant.
-------------

 

Continue to:

• prev: 4. What is the address and phone number of the Lebanese Embassy and/or Consulates in the US, Canada, France, etc.... and how can I contact Lebanese universities etc. ?
• Index
• next: 6. What are the airlines servicing Beirut ?

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