Positivity is good, but week after week as we compile news summaries from each country, we come across an abundance of complaints of poor Libyan Internet service. In 2011 and 2012, such gripes had to do with damaged Libya Telecom & Technology infrastructure. It seems if little has improved with LTT’s quality of service.

Now, well over a year after the fall of Gaddafi’s regime, the reports of slow and unreliable Libyan Internet service remain common. Perhaps there are more users online to complain and maybe there is less fear of speaking one’s voice these days. Still, the negative sentiment is consistent and we have yet to see LTT mentioned in a positive light on social media (although LTT does release promising announcements from time to time, like a goal of nationwide WiMAX coverage by August 2013). The government, in turn, has often mentioned plans to liberalize the telecoms sector.

These tweets from the past four days represent about half the English-language complaints containing the term “libya internet” (March 7-10, 2013):

Coming home is great, till I have to use the internet and realize how far behind we are #Libya

— Alaeddin Muntasser (@misrati_free) March 10, 2013

People who understand #Libya‘s internet: Does using Skype (not video just voice) use a lot of raceed? #LibyaProblems #LTT

— Assia Amry(@Libyan4life) March 10, 2013

#time for Slow internet in #Libya #ihateLTT

— Absi (@absily) March 10, 2013

I swear of God I have this feeling that if LTT gets better everything in Libya will be better!

— Libyas next dictator (@Bilalhb) March 9, 2013

Two years on in new #Libya and the muppets @ #LTT & Min of Comm. cant even solve the issue with poor Internet services! #IhateLTT

— Mwattin Leebi (@MwattinLeebi) March 8, 2013

Lastly, a joke about LTT promising reception but a customer finding none:

Only Libyans will understand this. 🙂 twitter.com/libyaamazigh10…

— Libyan Amazigh (@libyaamazigh101) March 8, 2013

To Libya’s credit, the government is working to privatize the telecommunications sector. International investors have been preparing to enter the market for almost a year. What’s more, the Libyan Government is seeking public relations support for its attempts to liberalize the country’s telecoms and internet industries. Expect services to rapidly improve once competition exists, but that may not be until 2014.

Update: LTT has given an interview with The Tripoli Post explaining their challenges and how the company plans to improve service.