By Politico staff writer
The Government of Sierra Leone has successfully negotiated a proposed tariff increase with Mobile Network Operators (MNO) to ensure a win-win situation, according to a report from the Strategic Communication Unit at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education.
From the 120%, tariff increase that was proposed, the report said the government, got the service providers “to agree to a modest increase in voice calls, and an even lower if not negligible increase, in data”.
“Cognisant of the huge economic burden on the people, the government's key negotiators, the Minister of Communications, Technology, and Innovation Ms. Salima Bah, and the Director General of NaTCA Mr. Amara Pedou Brewah successfully meandered their way out with the mobile companies to, first improve on the quality of services and restore bonuses and promotions, before finally settling for a minimal increase in the billing system which is set to come into effect on Monday, November 6th,” it noted.
It added that the outcome of the negotiation has seen two of the MNOs - Africell and Orange - introduce 5G technology to boost quality of service and will also resume bonuses. The free calls at midnight will be restored by Orange, and there are plans to introduce other promotions by the companies.
“To also give something to the companies, whose overhead costs have increased over the last 12 months as a result of inflation and depreciation of the local currency, there will be a slight increase in tariffs. As stated earlier the increase is minimal in comparison to what is actually supposed to be. The negotiating skills of the government convinced the MNOs to improve the quality of their services and a marginal increase in billing,” it reads.
The report noted that all parties were happy with the outcome of the negotiations and asserted that the introduction of 5G will significantly bolster business transactions and improve research work for students in particular.
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