By Alex Yomah
Grand Kru County Representative, Jonathan Fonati Koffa, has warned government to be cognizant of National Security threats to have foreign GSM companies controlling the communication network in Liberia. Cllr. Koffa made the startling revelation over the weekend when he addressed the media in Sinkor. He averred that to have foreign GSM companies controlling Liberia’s communication network poses what he called “National Security threat” to the nation.
“Actually, having foreign GSM companies controlling our communication network is dangerous for national security tools; you saw it recently, when the companies tried to put government against the people of Liberia,” Rep. Koffa warned.
He then applauded Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA) for licensing Liberia’s own Telecommunication Corporation (Libtelco) to operate as GSM Company in Liberia.
“I am glad that Libtelco has a license and I will encourage LibTelco to move as fast as possible. Libteco being licensed as a GSM Company as a small economy with a high GSM penetration, it is in our interest to have our own,” Rep. Koffa said in a news conference.
Unveiling what he believes precipitated the brawl between LTA and the GSM companies, Rep. Koffa said; “Let’s be clear on what happened despite what Liberians are reading, the GSM Companies reportedly succumbed to the demand of LTA to go back to ‘status quo ante”.
According to the lawmaker, the GSM companies should not rely on the gullibility of the “Liberian society” to think they are victors in the decision-making for the GSM companies to restore the 45-minutes as they are trying to portray.
The lawyer informed that LTA demanded the GSM companies to just move back, or restore minutes that were illegally collected from Liberians although the companies were aiming at putting government against the Liberian people.
Evidence by the company’s refusal to adhere to LTA’s demand for the companies to “MOVE BACK, OR RESTORE” the reported illegal charges within the 72-hour ultimatum issued by LTA, the matter has been laid to rest’
The lawmaker also informed that there has been no concession on the part of the government. “So all the nonsense that GSM Companies are spewing out are only to save face of their illegal act,” he said.
“They have moved back the minutes; they have stopped the illegal charges; they will submit to the jurisdiction of the LTA; that is what’s going to happen and we look forward to the LTA within the next days for action,” while assuring Liberians that the companies will be made to pay for the illegal act.
GSM companies operating in Liberia [Lonestar Cell MTN and Orange Liberia] recently added surcharges to voice calls and internet data giving limited time of call and internet usage to consumers. That angered subscribers with some blaming the regulatory authority [LTA] for reportedly being the mastermind behind the surcharges imposed by the GSM operators in the country.
It can be recalled that before the imposition of the surcharges, consumers paid US$1.00 which lasted for 45 minutes to make calls for three days; US$2.00 for 1.2 gigabytes to browse the internet for seven days. But when it was imposed, consumers had to pay US$1.00 for 15 minutes of voice calls and US$5.00 for 1.2 gigabytes.
However, after series of warnings from the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) to the two GSM companies, they have agreed to roll back fees and packages, something Liberians have expressed joy and commended the LTA for putting the interest of the citizens first.
Late Wednesday October 14, 2020, Orange Liberia wrote, “Orange Liberia wishes to inform the public that after lengthy negotiations with the Liberia Telecommunications, Authority (LTA), it has amicably settled differences with the LTA regarding the effectiveness and implementation of Part IV of LTA Order 0016-02-25-2019 along with the surcharges and invoices for the year 2020.”
Orange Liberia also added, “Effective immediately, Orange Liberia in consultation with the LTA shall suspend the implementation of Part IV of LTA Order: 0016-02-25-19, pending an orderly roll back of the surcharge under LTA directives and supervision.”
Lonestar Cell MTN said, “Lonestar Cell MTN is pleased to inform its loyal customers and the public that after discussions with the Liberia Telecommunications Authority, we have agreed to roll back the surcharges implemented on voice and data products on October 8, 2020 with immediate effect. We would like to thank the LTA for working with the GSM operators to find solution that is in the interest of the customers and the people of Liberia.”
Following the pronouncement by the two GSM companies, Liberians were heard jubilating from all angles commending the LTA for what they called ‘remarkable achievement’ in the interest of the Liberian people in the midst of challenging economy and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Various night time radio talk shows were flooded with callers commending the LTA. That continued up to Thursday morning as citizens and other customers couldn’t hold back their joy in expressing happiness. The names LTA, Orange Liberia and Lonestar Cell MTN have been on the lips of Liberians over the surcharges recently imposed by the two companies, but they are now happy that the regulatory authority resolved the impasse promptly.