Uneven Connectivity: Mapping Internet Availability Across Lebanese Districts
The digital environment in Lebanon is now as important as the physical one. Whether it’s students attending online classes, businesses relying on cloud tools, or families staying connected, internet access today is a basic necessity and not a luxury.
However, just like Lebanon’s infrastructure, internet access is not equal throughout districts. Some regions enjoy strong, stable connections, while others lag far behind, struggling with unreliable or limited access.
In order to determine which districts in Lebanon are underserved and which are setting the standard for digital access, this visualization examines the availability of internet services throughout the country.
- Scatter Plot – Internet Availability by District : This scatter plot demonstrates each district’s percentage of available internet, with respect to the national average line. Blue dots reflect districts above average availability and districts with below-average availability are shown by red dots. This makes it easier for us to quickly determine who is leading and who is having difficulty.
- Heatmap – Full Breakdown of Internet Status : The distribution of each district is shown on the heatmap across (Not Available, Partially Available, Available). This provides a broader perspective, showing not just the amount of internet that is available but also the amount that is unstable or unavailable.
The two images together provide a complete picture of the digital divide in Lebanon.
Key Insights
- Zahle and Matn Lead the Country
Districts like Zahle, Matn, Sidon, and Baabda show the highest levels of internet availability, reaching 68 – 72%.
This indicates that these regions are Lebanon’s most digitally accessible areas where there’s a crucial advantage for education, business, and services. - A Significant Gap in Underserved Districts
Districts like Hermel, Baalbek, Byblos, Marjeyoun fall well below the national average with availability rates around 20 – 33%. Which indicates that these areas still face major barriers to connectivity that is affecting economic activity, education, and access to online services. - Partially Available is completely the opposite of Reliable
The percentage of “Partially Available” internet is unexpectedly high in a few of districts.
This indicates that although the service is available, it is unstable or inconsistent, resulting in another kind of inequality where people have access to it but it isn’t reliable enough for everyday needs.
Why This Matters
Internet access is now tied to:
- Educational opportunities
- Business growth
- Access to digital government services
- Healthcare communication
- Social inclusion
Regions with poor connectivity risk falling further behind which will increase the gap in economic and social inequalities. Internet infrastructure directly shapes a region’s ability to participate in the digital economy.
A Call for Digital Equity
Lebanon needs fair internet, not just faster internet. This visualization highlights where investment is most needed. Increasing internet accessibility in poorer regions can benefit students, small enterprises, open doors, and reduce regional disparity.
A more connected Lebanon is a stronger Lebanon.