Orange Sierra Leone has announced the discontinuation of its widely used Kolat unlimited data bundle, citing concerns over long-term sustainability, rising operational costs, and the need to maintain a reliable service experience for the majority of its customers.
Introduced in May 2024, the Kolat offer quickly became a favourite among internet users across the country, driving data traffic on Orange’s network to unprecedented levels. However, what began as a promotional success soon presented major technical and financial challenges.
According to the company, the sharp rise in data consumption led to a more than 80% increase in overall network traffic, while revenue from the bundle grew at a much slower rate. The imbalance, Orange explained, made it economically difficult to sustain the offer without compromising service quality.
Orange Sierra Leone disclosed that only a small percentage—less than 3% of its subscribers—were responsible for an outsized share of data usage, with some consuming up to one terabyte per month through multiple subscriptions. This heavy consumption, the company said, caused congestion in high-demand areas, reducing speed and connection quality for ordinary users.
“While the Kolat bundle was designed to enhance affordability, the level of traffic generated by a limited group of users placed immense strain on the network,” the company stated. “Maintaining quality service for everyone required a more balanced and sustainable approach.”
Despite continuous investment in infrastructure upgrades—including expanding 4G coverage to 2,800 sites, boosting international bandwidth capacity from 27 Gbps to 41.5 Gbps, and adding 46 new densification sites—Orange said the cost of maintaining unlimited data access for a small fraction of users could not be justified in the long term.
While the Le60 Kolat offer has now been discontinued, Orange clarified that the prices of its other data bundles remain unchanged. Customers can still access affordable plans such as the Le15 daily, Le40 three-day, and Le100 weekly bundles, all designed to meet various usage needs.
Orange Sierra Leone also assured customers that it followed due process in communicating the withdrawal, using SMS alerts, social media updates, and media announcements two weeks prior to the phase-out.
A recent regional analysis of internet costs ranked Sierra Leone among the most affordable countries for mobile data in Africa, with prices averaging around $0.10 per megabyte, compared to between $1 and $5 in other markets.
Orange reaffirmed its commitment to delivering affordable and high-quality connectivity nationwide, emphasizing that the end of the Kolat bundle is part of a broader strategy to protect network integrity and enhance customer experience.
“Our goal remains the same—to invest in a network that is fast, stable, and accessible to everyone,” the company said. “This decision allows us to focus on long-term digital inclusion and quality service for all our customers.”
