By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
There has been serious public outcry in the wake of increase in floor price of data tariff by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) .
Mohamed S. Koroma a young graduate from the University of Sierra Leone explained to Politico how the increase was not timely in view of the economic situation in the country.
He stated that more frustrating was the lack of prior notice by the MNOs unlike in in other countries where the people are given notice whenever they want to effect changes in pricing.
He urged the National Telecommunications Authority (NaTCA) which is the regulatory institution to negotiate with the MNOs on the floor price of data and on-net calls.
Josephine Samura a smart phone user expressed her dissatisfaction to Politico on the way the MNOs treat customers in the country. She said it started when the MNOs removed the usual midnight free calls, weekly free calls and other benefits people used to enjoy.
She said it is high time government acts tough so that they can respect their customers.
“They are running their business in this country with huge profit and at the same time disadvantaging customers,” she said.
Samura noted that, customers are not enjoying their money’s worth, saying all what the MNOs are concerned about is to maximize profit. She called on the authorities concerned to salvage the situation as soon as possible.
In a short notice released by the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) dated 13th January, 2023, they noted with concerns the increment on mobile data tariff and its impact on information dissemination in the country.
The MRCG in the notice stated that, they have over the years advocated for access to information and has trained a good number of journalists on same.
The Group stated that the increase on data tariff has a tendency to affect access to information and participation in democratic dialogue on the cyber space.
They called on the relevant authorities such as the National Telecommunications Authority (NatCA) and the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) to ensure that such a situation does not affect freedom of expression and access to information.
The on-net call is said to have risen from Le 600 (six hundred old Leones) to Le 1,200 (one thousand two hundred old Leones) which many saw as a 200% increment.
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