Monrovia – The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) has taken a step in reforming the country’s telecommunications sector with the introduction of two major regulations—the Numbering Regulations and the Value-Added Services (VAS) Regulations. The regulatory changes aim to enhance competition and reduce the market dominance of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) over key telecom resources.
By Gibson Gee, Contributing Writer
The Numbering Regulations mark a critical shift by placing control of Short Codes under the direct management of the LTA, a move intended to rectify long-standing issues of unregulated practices that have allegedly stifled competition and inflated business costs.
LTA Acting Chairman Abdullah Kamara emphasized the need for a fair and transparent system: “The Numbering Regulations are designed to ensure equitable management of Short Codes. For far too long, MNOs exercised unchecked control over these resources, leading to inflated costs and creating barriers for smaller businesses trying to enter the market.”
Under the new Numbering Regulations, the application fee for Short Codes has been set at USD25, with an annual authorization fee of USD150. However, the highly sought-after 3-digit Short Codes will carry a fee of USD1,500. According to Kamara, this pricing structure is intended to “enhance competition, decentralize control, and open up opportunities for smaller, particularly Liberian, entrepreneurs.”
Under this new framework, the LTA will oversee the allocation of all telecom numbers, including Short Codes, while introducing a standardized fee structure. The previous system, where MNOs could impose arbitrary charges, is now being dismantled. “The standardized fee structure eliminates the previous practice where MNOs could exploit businesses by overcharging for Short Codes, which created an uneven playing field,” Kamara added.
The VAS Regulations further reshape the industry by mandating that MNOs grant network access to businesses using Short Codes, effectively removing barriers that have allowed larger operators to dominate the market. “The VAS Regulations are crucial for fostering a competitive environment,” said Kamara. “Requiring MNOs to provide access to their networks levels the playing field, enabling even those businesses without their own infrastructure to compete fairly.”
These regulations are scheduled for full implementation by December 1, 2024. Speaking during a press conference, Kamara underscored the broader significance of these reforms: “This is about more than just reallocating control over Short Codes. It’s about creating an ecosystem where innovation thrives and every business, regardless of size, has equal access to essential telecom services. These changes will stimulate competition and support the growth of local entrepreneurs.”
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