By Fatmata B. Sow and Brima Siafa

Some citizens have expressed dissatisfaction over poor internet connections provided by the major telecommunication players in the country such as Orange SL, Africell SL, and Qcell despite the recent increase in the cost of airtime and data bundles. They said they are particularly frustrated because the recent increase in mobile airtime and data tariffs which was blamed on the increasing inflationary trend in the country has worsened rather than improved the quality of service they are receiving.

The frustrations followed  the National Communications Authority and MNOs recently reviewed prices which sparked reactions from CSOs and members of the public. However, the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation and the National Telecommunications Authority negotiated with the Telcos to ensure a reasonable tariff increase and value for money.

Expo times last week conducted interviews with some members of the public to hear their feedbacks on this issue. KadijatuJija Jalloh, a year 2 student of the College of medicine said that she’s using Orange network to connect, but stated that the increment of data has not been easy because the prices of data are too expensive, as she puts it. She added that it will be prudent to adjust prices while urging operators to equally improve services of internet connectivity.

Zainab Bah, an entrepreneur and a student at Fourah Bay College said that she is using Qcell for online communications,but noted that she has been struggling to stay connected to the Internet which makes it difficult for her to access vital educational materials, health and banking services in Sierra Leone.She lamented that previously, with 1GB, she can communicate freely, shop online and watch online TV’s and listen to online streams. “But now, it’s very difficult to do all these due to the increment and poor network services”, She added.

“Before the data increment, we enjoyedmany affordable airtime and internet connections which allowed us to stay connected and explore the online world without breaking the bank. But now despite the increase in the cost, the speed of the internet has dropped and 1 gigabyte which has increased from Le15,000 to Le 20,000(for Africell), and to Le24.000(for Orange) which I was using for at least a day or two cannot even last for four hours. This is real exploitation of the situation by Telcos and it is not fair,” saidan Orange and Africell air time and data bundle subscriber who wished to be called by his first name Ibrahim.

“I was expecting that the increase in airtime and data bundles would ensure the same or better quality of service but unfortunately that has not been the case. Just imagine that after buying airtime and data bundles, you would only talk for a short time even if you buy Le40,000 airtime, and you can only browse the internet for a very short time not even for a complete day even if you buy two gigabytes; what is worse sometimes even when you are already connected the internet would be so weak for a very long time and you cannot do anything with it,” said another Orange and Africell mobile user who preferred to be simply called Hassan.

The story is the same with most of those interviewed by this medium.

“It was easier for individuals to connect with friends, access information online and enjoy various online services However, the increment in data tariffs, the cost of accessing the Internet has become more expensive. This might have impacted the frequency and duration of people’s online activities. I suggest that NATCA put in place a mechanism to periodically evaluate the services of mobile companies in the country to ensure value for money for users of airtime and the internet in the country”,  a Telecommunication expert who prefers anonymity told Expo Times in an exclusive interview.

Copyright –Published in print in Expo Times Newspaper on Wednesday, December 20th, 2023 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)