By Hassan Osman Kargbo
Sierra Leone’s newly introduced One Mobile 5G service is facing growing dissatisfaction from consumers who say the network has failed to meet the expectations created by its much publicised launch.
Several users have taken to social media to express frustration over what they describe as poor network performance, unreliable connectivity and limited value for the money they are spending on the service.
The complaints have raised questions about whether consumers are receiving the quality of service they were promised, with some users saying their experience with the new 5G service is not significantly different from what they previously experienced on 4G networks.
One frustrated customer described the situation as an insult to consumers, arguing that simply putting a 5G label on a service does not amount to delivering a reliable 5G experience.
“Stop selling hype and start delivering the service people are paying for,” the customer said, adding that consumers deserve quality, honesty and value for their money.
Another user, Foday Mark Kamara, said he had high expectations for One Mobile and was hoping the company would provide a better alternative to the existing mobile networks.
“One Mobile 5G is like Africell and Orange with better marketing. Poor network, two minutes MiFi battery and terrible network. To think we really trusted them to be different,” Kamara said.
His comments reflect the disappointment expressed by other customers who believed the introduction of a new 5G operator would bring improved internet speeds, stronger coverage and more reliable connectivity.
For some consumers, the frustration goes beyond network quality. They say the bigger concern is the lack of accountability when customers experience poor service after paying for data packages and devices.
“We keep paying more while receiving unreliable service, yet accountability is nowhere to be found,” one consumer complained.
The growing criticism has also sparked concerns about consumer protection and whether service providers are being adequately held accountable for the quality of services they offer.
Consumers argue that telecommunications companies should be transparent about network coverage, performance and limitations rather than relying heavily on advertising to create expectations that the actual service fails to meet.
The introduction of 5G had generated excitement among many Sierra Leoneans, particularly young people, businesses and individuals who depend heavily on reliable internet services for communication, education, entertainment and work.
However, the complaints from users suggest that expectations have not been fully matched by their experience on the ground.
While network performance can vary depending on location, device compatibility, network congestion and coverage, dissatisfied customers say these factors should not be used as an excuse for consistently poor service.
As public frustration grows, consumers are calling on One Mobile to listen to their concerns, improve network reliability and provide the service they believe they are paying for.
For many customers, the message is simple: they welcomed the arrival of 5G, but they now want to see the technology deliver real improvements rather than remain a promise made through advertising.
