Minister gives Lacom a boost

Algeria’s Minister of Posts and Telecommunications has promised to clear any barriers which are preventing the country’s second national fixed line licensee, Lacom, from competing effectively with incumbent operator Algerie Telecom. Boudjemaa Haichour has been discussing Lacom’s position with his counterpart from Egypt, Tarek Kamel. Lacom is a joint venture between two Egyptian firms, Telecom Egypt and Orascom, but has struggled to make a mark in the Algerian fixed line market, claiming that regulations are helping to maintain the dominance of Algerie Telecom. A report from El Khabar says that Haichour is promising to remove any barriers to competition and resolve problems which are preventing Lacom from doing business. Telecom Egypt and Orascom have both said that they will exit the Algerian market if the regulatory situation does not improve.