Evaluating the Selection of Cellular Business Using a Hierarchical Decision Model: The Case of Libya

Abstract

With all of the changes and challenges in Libya, the country possesses many positive attributes for carefully targeted investment in several sectors and seeks to use the last updated technology to improve public service. The Libyan ministry of telecommunication is interested in long-term investment in the cellular telecom industry. Although the ministry and its national operators have sought to catch up to the fast growth of the technology and provide the best service to the customers, the sector needs some reforms. Therefore, to improve prospects for success, four options (privatization of the companies, licensing a new foreign operator, supporting existing operators, and joint venture) were identified and evaluated based on a multiple perspectives criteria and goals using a Hierarchical Decision Model (HDM) methodology. The judgments of Libyan experts in the telecom sector were used to validate and quantify the model. The final result shows the licensing of a new foreign operator is considered to be the best option in the case of Libya.