• Libya plans to launch 5G services after completing first-phase preparations

• State-owned LPTIC names Al-Madar Al-Jadeed as the first national 5G operator

• High costs and adoption challenges could shape the pace of rollout

Libya is preparing to launch fifth-generation (5G) mobile technology “in the near future,” according to an announcement made last week by the state-owned Libyan Post, Telecommunications and Information Technology Holding Company (LPTIC).

In a statement released on January 22, LPTIC said the step follows the completion of the final technical and organizational preparations for the first phase of the 5G project. The service will be operated and rolled out by Al-Madar Al-Jadeed, designated as Libya’s first national operator tasked with delivering 5G services in line with applicable technical standards and with full operational readiness.

On January 23, LPTIC also announced the signing of a cooperation protocol with U.S.-based company KBR, described as a leading player in engineering consulting, technology solutions, and infrastructure. Strengthening 5G networks in Libya is among the key areas of cooperation envisaged under the agreement.

A boost for digital transformation

According to LPTIC, the deployment of 5G fits “within the national orientation aimed at developing telecommunications infrastructure, supporting digital transformation, and improving the quality of services provided to citizens.”

Libyan authorities are relying on information and communication technologies to accelerate the country’s reconstruction and socio-economic development. Since 2021, LPTIC, acting as the operational arm of this strategy, has multiplied initiatives and partnerships to position Libya as a “smart country,” where citizens, businesses, and cities benefit from advanced technologies serving integrated and sustainable development. In 2024, Libya ranked 124th out of 193 countries worldwide on the United Nations E-Government Development Index, with a score of 0.5466, below the global average.

As part of this drive, investment in national digital infrastructure has intensified. In late December, the authorities launched a program to gradually phase out traditional telephone exchanges used for fixed-line services in favor of more modern technologies. Other priorities for the holding company include expanding and generalizing broadband access, adopting a clearer strategy for IT and cloud infrastructure, accelerating fiber-optic projects, and extending telecom networks.

In this context, 5G is seen as a structuring technological lever. A study published in 2021 by Dell Technologies highlighted that 5G enables data transmission speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G, with significantly reduced latency and unprecedented network capabilities. The technology opens the door to advanced and innovative applications, supports increased real-time connectivity, and facilitates the digital transformation of key sectors.

Financial and adoption challenges

Despite its potential, rolling out 5G remains a costly undertaking. According to a 2022 study by Ericsson, the base cost of deploying 5G in a country is estimated at between $3 billion and $8 billion. This is in addition to a further 20% to 35% in investment required to extend network coverage nationwide.

In terms of coverage, 2G and 3G mobile networks currently reach 98% of the population, estimated at 7 million people, according to the GSMA Mobile Connectivity Index 2025. 4G coverage stands at 83.7%.

On usage, DataReportal, citing GSMA Intelligence data, estimates the number of mobile subscriptions in Libya at 14.9 million as of late December 2025, equivalent to a penetration rate of 199%. The number of unique users is estimated at 6.62 million, representing a penetration rate of 88.5%. These figures should be interpreted with caution, as some subscribers hold multiple SIM cards that are counted separately.

Beyond infrastructure, the adoption of 5G by Libyan consumers could face obstacles already observed in other markets. These include the cost of compatible smartphones, the affordability of 5G data plans, levels of digital skills, perceptions of the relevance of available services, and the overall quality of the customer experience.

Isaac K. Kassouwi