Ganta City, Nimba County – The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), on November 22, 2024, officially launched the long-awaited Consumer Protection Regulations (CPR), a groundbreaking legal framework aimed at ensuring the protection of telecom consumers nationwide.
The launch event, held in Ganta City, Nimba County, marks a historic move toward addressing ongoing concerns in Liberia’s telecommunications sector, including poor service quality, unfair billing, and lack of transparency.
LTA Commissioner Patrick Honnah, in his address at the event, explained that the CPR, often referred to as the “People’s Regulation,” was crafted after extensive consultations with telecom providers, consumers, and other stakeholders throughout Liberia.
Honnah stressed that the regulation focuses on empowering consumers and tackling deceptive practices within the telecom industry. “This is a set of laws that directly affect the people—the consumers,” Honnah stated, adding that the regulation aims to safeguard consumer privacy, require service providers to resolve complaints promptly and ensure fairness in telecom transactions.
One of the key features of the new regulation is the establishment of a dedicated short code, 2244, which consumers can use to report unresolved issues directly to the LTA. However, consumers must first attempt to address their complaints with their service providers before escalating them to the Authority. Billboards featuring the shortcode will be displayed in major cities nationwide to increase public awareness about the new regulation and their rights under the law.
The CPR, which will take full effect in 60 days, also aims to eliminate misleading advertising, ensure fair pricing practices, and establish a consumer support center to assist with complaints. The new consumer support infrastructure will be critical in enhancing the relationship between consumers and telecom service providers, fostering greater transparency and accountability.
Over 400 participants, including government officials, telecom industry representatives, and Nimba County residents, attended the launch event. For many in attendance, this was a historic milestone in the continued effort to improve consumer protections in Liberia’s telecommunications sector.
With the CPR in place, the LTA hopes these regulations will significantly improve service quality, fairer pricing, and greater consumer satisfaction in Liberia’s telecom industry. The new law is critical in ensuring that telecom consumers receive the quality service and protection they deserve.
By Socrates Smythe Saywon
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