The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) has levied significant fines on Orange Liberia and Lonestar MTN, each being penalized US$300,000 for violating regulatory standards.
At a press conference held on Thursday, June 27, LTA explained that the fines were imposed due to “Floor Price Violation,” a regulatory measure designed to stabilize the telecommunications market.
LTA’s acting Chairperson, Abdullah L. Kamara, elaborated that the floor price regulation, introduced in 2019, set a minimum price for consumer packages for both data and voice services. This intervention aimed to prevent predatory pricing practices that previously led to network congestion and reduced service quality.
Kamara pointed out that while the regulation initially succeeded in stabilizing the market, recent trends indicate a return to pre-regulation pricing strategies. Such trends, he warned, could degrade service quality and negatively impact government revenue.
In addition to the floor price violations, Orange Liberia has been scrutinized for engaging in unauthorized activities. Notably, the company used a cross-border connectivity license from Ivory Coast without the necessary documentation.
Kamara also revealed the discovery of three unreported network links connected to Orange Liberia—two international and one local. These unauthorized links pose challenges to the LTA’s regulatory oversight and ability to monitor the sector effectively.
In light of these infractions, the LTA’s Board of Commissioners has imposed fines to address these violations and ensure compliance within the telecommunications industry.
The regulatory authority aims for these penalties to serve as a deterrent against future non-compliance, fostering a stable and transparent telecommunications environment in Liberia.
Source: LINA
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