By Nasratu Kargbo
Following public outrage at the exponential increase in the floor price of megabyte as experienced by internet users beginning past Friday, the country’s National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM) has on Saturday evening issued a statement, putting on hold the increment.
The very brief NATCOM statement said: ‘Further stakeholder consultations and realignment are underway to ensure that consumer satisfaction is enhanced’.
Discussions over the weekend have been centered on the increase in price of internet data, after users realized the astronomical increment made by mobile telecom operators in the country, attracting public protestation for a return to the previous price per megabyte.
Politico out and about to gauge public reaction met Businessman Mohamed Conteh who said he will be happy if the stakeholders review the decision.
Conteh stated that he is in to remittance business which requires online connectivity throughout, stating that most transactions are done via internet and his staff do not have Mi-Fis and have to use their phones’ to hotspot their computers.
He said before now they would usually buy 1.2 GB for Le9, which lasted two to three days. He added that now with the same Le9, one can only get 500MB, which lasts them a day and sometimes hours, if they have a lot of transactions to do.
“This increment will have a toll on our returns on investment”, said Conteh.
He said that things are already difficult for the ordinary Sierra Leonean, with the prices of other commodities on the increase, stating that adding data will be a huge burden.
A student Alpha Amadu Bah said the increment will affect his academic work, as he listens to tutorials on YouTube to enhance his studies.
Bah added that the increment will greatly affect the masses, stating people hardly call direct but would rather use their data through WhatsApp, Messenger, and FaceTime etc. to communicate to their loved ones via audio or video call and text.
He called on the regulatory body NATCOM to revert to the previous price arrangement. “We do not want a press release that says it will find ways to address the issue, we need action”.
A woman Haja Jakitay said she lives in Waterloo and do not have access to electricity. She noted that surfing the internet and watching movies on Netflix, chats, games and musical videos are her only source of entertainment.
Following the outcry by members of the public in relation to the increase in the price of data, NATCOM in a press release dated 21st October 2022 expressed its intention to address the concerns raised by the general public.
According to the statement, the institution has been overwhelmed with concerns from public about the floor price of Le 18 (new Leones).
The Director of Corporate and Industry Affairs at NATCOM, Abdul Ben-Foday told Politico that there was no increment made, stating that the price was already in the law books.
Quoting the Finance Act of 2022, he read page 19 under the general provision which states that: “There shall be a minimum floor price levied at Le18 per megabyte for telecommunication data services”. It is clearly indicated in the Finance Act which was passed by members of parliament on the 21st December 2022, he stressed.
Ben-Foday said there is no increase in price noting that the floor-price had already been in the law book that was acted upon by MPs.
He added that the law does not speak on increase in price of data, but on the floor price in relation to data, explaining the floor price indicated it should not go below Le18. He stated that the law should have come into effect past January.
However the Chairman for the Parliamentary Information Committee, Boston Munda told Politico that the decision will have to be reviewed, and that NATCOM will issue an official statement soon.
Qcell used to charge Le9 per 1.5GB; they offered a 100% bonus on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays, whilst the new charge went up to Le27 for the same 1.5GB. Africell used to charge Le10 for 1GB and Orange Le9 for 1GB.Both companies had also reportedly charged Le35 per 1 GB.
The NATCOM decision to overturn the contentious increment will be of huge relief to a population that is becoming increasingly addicted to internet usage.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (24/10/22)
