: principally microwave radio relay; one cellular provider,
probably limited to Bishkek region

international: connections with other CIS countries by landline or
microwave radio relay and with other countries by leased connections
with Moscow international gateway switch and by satellite; satellite
earth stations - 1 Intersputnik and 1 Intelsat; connected
internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line

Laos:
general assessment: service to general public is poor but
improving, with over 20,000 telephones currently in service and an
additional 48,000 expected by 2001; the government relies on a
radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas

domestic: radiotelephone communications

international: satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian
Ocean region)

Latvia:
general assessment: inadequate, but is being modernized to
provide an international capability independent of the Moscow
international switch; more facilities are being installed for
individual use

domestic: expansion underway in intercity trunk line connections,
rural exchanges, and mobile systems; still many unsatisfied
subscriber applications

international: international connections are now available via
cable and a satellite earth station at Riga, enabling direct
connections for most calls (1998)

Lebanon:
general assessment: telecommunications system severely
damaged by civil war; rebuilding well underway

domestic: primarily microwave radio relay and cable

international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian
Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean) (erratic operations); coaxial cable to
Syria; microwave radio relay to Syria but inoperable beyond Syria to
Jordan; 3 submarine coaxial cables

Lesotho:
general assessment: rudimentary system

domestic: consists of a few landlines, a small microwave radio
relay system, and a minor radiotelephone communication system

international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Liberia:
general assessment: telephone and telegraph service via
microwave radio relay network; main center is Monrovia

domestic: NA

international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Libya:
general assessment: telecommunications system is being
modernized; mobile cellular telephone system became operational in
1996

domestic: microwave radio relay, c