LTA Board Unveils Liberia’s New Telecom Regulations By Yassah J Wright

The Acting Board of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) has signed two major regulations aim to enhance the opportunities for many Liberians and Liberia entrepreneurs as well as improve service quality and government revenue. These regulations were drawn after extensive research, review and public consultations as required by the LTA Act. The first is the Numbering Regulation which includes a revised Numbering Plan. It provides a framework for the efficient allocation, assignment, utilization and management of all telecommunication numbers, including Short Codes throughout the nation in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.

 Speaking at a news conference on 19 August 2024 at the LTA headquarters in the suburbs of ELWA, RIA highway, Chairperson Abdullah L. Kamara made it known that the regulatory boby always had a plan in place for the management of telephone numbers but what they have now completed is a well-structured framework with specific guidelines, processes and standards to be followed including categories for the use of Short Codes.  Prior to this regulation, according to him, all Short Codes were assigned through the Mobile Network Operators. They had absolutely full control over who they assigned numbers to and exactly how much they would charge. No regulation existed. The research indicates, applicants were charged several thousand United States Dollars for the use of Short Codes and there were additional fees assessed. As a result, anyone seeking to enter the Mobile Money Market for instance, would not be given a fair market price to acquire a Short Code because they would be in direct competition with the very MNOs in the same business. This, he mentioned that new Numbering Regulation changes that landscape. All Short Codes will now become a national resource fully controlled like Spectrum in some respects, under the LTA. The Numbering Regulation dictates LTA alone will allocate, assign, and manage the delegation of all Short Codes providing equal access to all applicants on a first come first serve basis with basic requirements.  Echoing that, “The revised Numbering Plan sets forth specific categories for 3 digits thru 6-digit Short Codes with provisions for Toll Free, Premium and other specially assigned numbers. The regulation clearly states there will be no exclusive perpetual rights to numbers.” The board Short Code application fee is $25.00 USD and $150.00 SD per year Authorization Fee. The exception is the 3digit, limited-in-number Short Code which has an Authorization Fee of $1,500 USD. Chair Kamara also said that this framework provides for effective competition, decentralizing the control of scarce national resource. It will ensure transparency enhancing competition and opening up business opportunities for smaller entrepreneurs especially Liberians. The second is decentralizing control that brings to the introduction of the Regulations on the Wholesale Access to Telecommunication Network for the Provision of Value-Added Services. In short, the board refers to it as the VAS for Value Added Service. The VAS Regulation sets forth the criteria for fair market cost-based access for Short Code businesses to reach their customers through the MNO’s. It facilitates the development of the telecom sector. It also provides guidelines for Aggregators, who are mediators for smaller Short Code users to gain access through the MNO’s promoting sustainable wholesale access of non telecom services. The MNOs are declared, Essential Facilities. This means, they are the ONLY means through which businesses may access their customer base thus the regulations require that MNO’s MUST give access to Short Code users.  Short Code businesses are classified as ‘Non facility based,’ meaning they do not have a network of their own and are not in the position to build one. VAS Regulation therefore mandates MNOs to provide access. The LTA board also spoke of putting in place a transitional arrangement requiring all numbering resources active or reserved to transition to the LTA after which the LTA will determine the numbering authorization fee.  This is a period during which MNO’s will use to transfer their control and terminate their contracts with Short Code businesses they presently have agreements. We have interest in disrupting the market. “The LTA will put into place the appropriate measures to manage and monitor the implementation of the regulations, Chair Kamara emphasized. This is the essence of the two distinct regulations the Board will sign today that will open up opportunities for smaller businesses and encourage Liberian participation in the ownership, control and management.