By Mackie M. Jalloh
Orange Sierra Leone (Orange SL) is under fire yet again for its terrible network services, which have plunged citizens into frustration and fury across the country. Not only has the telecom giant failed to maintain consistent communication through its call network, but its internet service has also reached shocking new lows, making it the worst in Sierra Leone. Despite citizens shelling out their hard-earned money for what should be basic internet access, they receive next to nothing in return. The country is fed up, and the people are crying out for accountability and real change.
For far too long, Orange SL has coasted on the backs of loyal customers who have continued to pay for poor-quality services, only to be met with regular dropped calls, extensive network outages, and now some of the worst internet access the nation has ever seen. From Makeni to Freetown, and even in the rural areas, customers complain of slow, unreliable connections, making it impossible for businesses to run efficiently or for people to stay connected with loved ones. At this point, Orange SL has become synonymous with failure, and their attempts to address these issues have been half-hearted at best.
The situation is so bad that the National Communications Authority (NatCA) has been forced to intervene, issuing an ultimatum on October 21, 2024, giving Orange SL a mere seven days to fix these mounting problems. The public notice from NatCA makes it clear: if Orange SL does not significantly improve its services within the deadline, severe regulatory actions will follow. This should come as no surprise given the constant barrage of complaints about poor call quality, endless call drops, network outages, and, most recently, Orange SL’s horrendous internet service.
Citizens have lost all faith in the telecom giant. Businesses dependent on stable internet access are in shambles, with companies having to resort to backup plans just to stay operational. Students struggle to access educational resources online, and professionals working remotely find themselves at their wits’ end. The laughable internet speeds and frequent disconnections provided by Orange SL are far below what customers are paying for, and the entire nation has had enough.
In their ultimatum, NatCA emphasized that public complaints about Orange SL’s network services have surged, disrupting not only business transactions but also basic personal communication. The continued deterioration of the telecom’s internet services has only added insult to injury, making it clear that the company has either ignored the cries of the people or is simply unable to address these issues effectively.
The question remains: how did Orange SL sink to such dismal levels, despite holding such a dominant position in Sierra Leone’s telecom industry? Instead of prioritizing quality service, they seem content with over-promising and under-delivering. While the company happily collects payments from frustrated citizens, the value they provide in return is abysmal at best. Internet packages advertised as fast, reliable, and effective are anything but, and the people have now reached a tipping point.
Meanwhile, NatCA’s recent decision to finally clamp down on Orange SL is welcome news to the public. The regulatory body, which has been somewhat passive in the past, appears to be stepping up in the face of nationwide outrage. Commendably, NatCA has issued a firm warning that strict actions will be taken if Orange SL fails to meet its obligations. It is high time the people saw their regulators enforcing the laws they are meant to uphold, ensuring that citizens get the services they are paying for. However, one can only hope that NatCA remains committed to this cause and doesn’t back down under corporate pressure or political interference.
Orange SL’s seven-day deadline looms large. This is not just a test of the company’s ability to rectify the situation but a measure of their respect for the citizens they serve. If they fail, as many now expect, it will be a long-overdue reckoning for a company that has thrived off Sierra Leoneans’ trust while consistently betraying them with substandard services. The nation deserves better, and the time for excuses has long passed.
In the meantime, frustrated citizens wait to see if Orange SL will take its responsibilities seriously or if the country will be left in the same sorry state of dropped calls and terrible internet service that has become its tragic norm. Tick-tock, Orange SL—the nation is watching.
