By Grace Q. Bryant
The House of Representatives’ Ad Hoc Committee on Telecommunications recently held a public hearing to address persistent network failures in southeastern Liberia.
The hearing, which was chaired by Margibi County District 2 Representative Ivar Jones, was convened in response to ongoing concerns from lawmakers about inadequate telecom services, particularly in River Gee and Maryland counties.
The session was prompted by complaints from River Gee County District 3 Representative Anthony Williams and Maryland County District 3 Representative Austin Taylor, who emphasized how poor connectivity was disrupting daily life and economic activities in their constituencies.
The hearing brought together telecom operators, regulators, and legislators to discuss the root causes of these challenges and explore potential solutions for improving network coverage in rural areas.
The CEO of Lonestar Cell MTN, Rahul De, provided an update on the company’s efforts to enhance network availability.
He acknowledged the difficulties facing the telecom sector, especially in underserved regions, and reported that Lonestar’s network availability had reached 95%, with plans to increase it to 99% by mid-2025.
He assured lawmakers that the company is committed to addressing service gaps. “We are actively upgrading our infrastructure to improve connectivity.”
He also cited weather-related disruptions and delays in mobile money services as key obstacles to service reliability, particularly in rural communities.
De reaffirmed Lonestar Cell MTN’s commitment to improving network coverage and overcoming service challenges.
“Our goal is to achieve 99% network availability and enhance service reliability,” he expressed.
The Acting Commissioner for Consumers, Public Affairs & Universal Access at the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), Patrick Honnah, outlined the regulatory framework governing the sector.
He highlighted the importance of 2G technology for voice communication in rural areas, where more advanced networks like 4G are not yet feasible. “In regions where network expansion is economically challenging, 2G remains a crucial service,” he noted.
Honnah also emphasized the role of the Universal Access Fund, which collects a portion of telecom operators’ revenue to support network expansion in underserved areas.
He urged telecom companies to meet their financial obligations under the fund to accelerate infrastructure development. “The Universal Access Fund is essential for bridging the connectivity gap.”
Honnah also discussed the ongoing review of telecom contracts, specifically the K-Net contract aimed at expanding network coverage.
He revealed that the General Auditing Commission (GAC) had raised concerns about the contract, prompting a thorough review.
He added that any contract failing to meet expectations would be reassessed.“We are closely examining this contract to ensure it delivers on its promises.”
Concerns about slow infrastructure development were a key focus of the hearing, as many areas in southeastern Liberia still lack adequate telecom coverage. Lawmakers pressed telecom providers to prioritize service improvements in these regions.
Committee Chair Ivar Jones called for greater accountability from mobile network operators (MNOs), warning that the committee would continue its oversight efforts. “We will not stop until telecom providers fulfill their obligations.”
He added that future hearings might be decentralized to engage directly with affected communities.
Jones clarified that the committee’s goal was not to assign blame but to ensure that telecom operators deliver reliable services to Liberians.
“These hearings are meant to keep telecom providers accountable, not to publicly shame them. We want to see real progress so that all Liberians benefit from improved connectivity,” he stressed.
Rep. Ivar Jones reiterated the committee’s determination to hold telecom providers accountable for their service failures.
He also underscored the need for collaboration between the government, telecom companies, and the Universal Access Fund to close coverage gaps and improve service quality nationwide.
Representatives Williams and Taylor reinforced these concerns, describing the hardships their constituents face due to unreliable telecom services.
Rep. Williams noted that many residents of River Gee County travel long distances just to find a signal, while Taylor echoed similar frustrations about connectivity issues in Maryland County.
Moving forward, the committee plans to take additional measures to ensure that all Liberians, particularly those in rural areas, have access to dependable telecommunications services.
