06 August 2024

The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) wants to clean up competition in the local telecom market and is preparing the development of two new regulations on numbering resources and the provision of value-added services (VAS).

The regulator organised public consultations to garner the opinions of stakeholders from the various telecom segments. The first regulation prevents telecom operators from monopolising access to numbering resources, including short numbers, USSD codes, machine-to-machine numbers and toll-free numbers. The second aims to facilitate access to operators’ platforms for the provision of VAS by establishing fair prices for all.

The move is in line with the LTA’s commitment to promote fair competition in the market, while ensuring innovation and consumer welfare. The regulator introduced new regulations on the quality of services that telecom operators must guarantee to consumers.

“These regulations are a game changer for Liberia. They address the fundamental issues that have held back our telecommunications sector. By ensuring equitable access and control, the LTA sets the stage for meaningful growth and development,” said Arthur Gbanyan, representing the National Telecommunications Consumer Organization.