The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) has unveiled two transformative regulations aimed at overhauling the nation’s telecom sector, targeting both numbering resources and wholesale access for Value-Added Services (VAS).
These sweeping changes are set to foster a more competitive, fair, and innovative telecommunications environment.
The first regulation addresses the critical issue of numbering resources, which encompass short codes, USSD codes, machine-to-machine numbers, and toll-free numbers.
Historically, dominant Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have monopolized these essential resources, stifling competition and innovation.
The new regulation mandates that the LTA will centrally control all national numbering resources, thereby preventing any single operator from monopolizing these assets and ensuring equitable access for all operators, regardless of size.
The second regulation targets wholesale access to telecom networks, crucial for the provision of VAS.
This regulation aims to eliminate discriminatory practices where dominant MNOs restrict access or impose exorbitant fees on smaller competitors and new entrants.
By promoting fair access to networks, the LTA intends to create an environment conducive to the growth of new services and technologies, enhancing consumer choice and driving investment.
LTA Acting Chairman Commissioner Abdullah Kamara emphasized the significance of these regulations.
“This move will prevent any single operator from unethically distributing these numbers, ensuring that all operators, regardless of size, have access to the resources they need,” Kamara stated.
He underscored that these regulations are designed to bolster fair competition, innovation, and consumer welfare, setting the stage for a robust and inclusive telecom landscape in Liberia.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the regulations as a major step toward rectifying long-standing issues in the sector.
Arthur S. Gbanyan, representative of the National Telecommunication Consumer Organization, praised the LTA’s proactive approach. “These regulations are a game-changer for Liberia. They address the core issues that have been holding back our telecom sector. By ensuring fair access and control, the LTA is setting the stage for significant growth and development,” Gbanyan declared during a recent public consultation.
Macdella E. Johnson, representing small telecom operators E-Wallie and Tamma Cooperation, also expressed optimism. “For too long, small operators like us have struggled to compete.
These regulations give us a fighting chance. We can now focus on delivering innovative services to our customers without worrying about unfair practices by dominant players,” Johnson said.
The introduction of these regulations marks a pivotal moment for Liberia’s telecommunications industry.
By centralizing control of numbering resources and ensuring fair access to networks, the LTA is laying the groundwork for a more dynamic and equitable sector.
As the regulations take effect, the hope is that they will not only address existing inequities but also stimulate new opportunities and growth in Liberia’s telecom landscape.
