In concurrence with China’s efforts to strengthen ties with the Middle-East, Lebanon was given the equipment needed to set up a third, rival network to the existing blood-sucking Alfa and MTCtouch. For unknown reasons (unknown reasons being raping our wallets for longer), the machines would not be allowed to function for an extra 4 years (which means 2011). 4 years is like 4000 years in technology years, which means the second generation equipment will not be able to properly compete with the coming 3.5G capabilities.

To set up the 3.5G infrastructure, several companies offered bids, and two companies won. Ericsson won the bid to equip the Alfa network with 3.5G capabilities. MTCtouch’s 3.5G infrastructure was to be set up by a Chinese telecom corporation. However, the Ericsson bid was much better in terms of number of users. In keeping true to the no-competition stupidity, the Chinese corporation suggested reclaiming the donated 2G machines from 2007, and upgrading the network to be able to absorb an extra 50,000 3.5G users in the 400,000 3.5G network.

What did these delightful gentleman we call “Maaloumet” do? Heroically storming the building in immaculate thug-fashion, to prevent Telecom Minister Charbel Nahhas from “stealing” these machines.

What did any person with a smartphone discover? That the supposedly non-functional third network, is very much alive! Which explains why a few pieces of technology needed dozens of street-thugs with AK-47s to “protect” it. LBN Ogero Mobile was being used by the Information Branch and Ogero, both obviously politically controlled by the Future Movement. The same movement that tried to forcibly remove Hezbollah’s communications network in 2008… Now, I don’t really condone any of these networks, but, as the saying goes, you don’t throw stones at people if you’re in a glass house…

So, after this brand new addition to the multiple scandals the FM team has been enjoying the past few months, the inhibitions were gone and the thugs were let off their money-leashes to have some fun.

I will not comment on why this network was functional, but the fact that it was being used in neighboring Syrian towns and cities, is highly questionable.

Nahhas is keeping data from the police chief? Well, why the hell does the police chief need to have my SMSes, phone calls and records?! I’m neither a felon nor a criminal nor a terrorist, and as long as there is no judiciary authority authorizing this data-harvesting, I am very happy that the minister is withholding this information and preserving what little dignity we have left in this corrupt country.

I speak ill of this branch not because of political differences, but because when I’m going home at night, and see a rabble of untidy, civilian-clothed, armed men stopping me in an alley somewhere, my first thought is “robbing my car” or “raping me” and definitely not “these police officers make me feel safe”. That’s not taking into consideration the illegality of this “branch” and its overreaching jurisdictions.

As for the stealing, if it means better telecom for me and you, I beg you Mr. Nahhas, steal everything and leave us naked in a ditch.

As for Minister Ziad Baroud’s resignation, I applaud and respect him deeply for this move. Ziad Baroud is a person I have had the fortune of knowing well-before him taking on the insufferable burden of Minister for Interior Affairs. It was painful to see him still associated with a double-crossing, two-faced, corrupt President who has done nothing in the past 3 years but work to undermine the Free Patriotic Movement (and failed miserably). When he was needed to step up to the challenge, when ISF Chief Ashraf Rifi disobeyed his superiors, repeatedly, the President cowered away. Perhaps bribed, perhaps to get a few extra gas station licenses for his buddies in Jbeil, we will never know. But, I am glad Baroud finally distanced himself from his dirty sponsor, and saved his face as a true statesman and civil servant the Lebanese obviously do not deserve yet.

I was skeptical about Aoun’s insistence on getting the Ministry of Interior Affairs, but after the past few days’ events, I completely agree it’s time for the FPM to take control and dismantle the other team’s festering grip on that ministry. Now, if you’re politically against the FPM, you won’t like what I’m saying. But, think of it this way, at least they’re not trying to prevent the 3.5G network expansion, at least they’re not eavesdropping on your sexting and at least they don’t have a military arm that look like the dumbass in the picture above.

I usually refrain from talking politics on the blog, and usually comment from a bird’s-eye view. But the events that came to pass were too much, and I believe that those who don’t exactly know what happened, should know! And thanks to R.H. my friend from the Telecom industry, I can share what the real issue was for you to decide.