This medium has been reliably informed that the proposed tariff adjustments in voice and data is due any day now, but the tariff on daily and social media data bundles used by the majority of the subscribers will not be affected by the proposed tariff review.
According to our sources, this emerged after a day dialogue and engagement in December 2022, at the Country Lodge in Freetown with Mobile Network Operators, the Minister of Information and Communications, the Consumer Protection Agency, the media, the regulatory body of all mobile companies National Communications Authority (NatCA), Civil Society Organizations, commercial motorbikes and tricycle riders, market women and other stakeholders in the country endorsed the minimal tariff increment.
Our sources furthered that the engagement received public views on the challenges faced by the Mobile Network Operators in the country due to the astronomical increase of the foreign exchange rates especially the United States Dollars which the companies transact in, coupled with other challenges.
The dialogue was a continuation of follow up engagements with the management of NatCA with regards the review of tariff for the past four months.
Sources further revealed that due to the magnanimity of Mobile Network Operators, the tariff was to be reviewed to the USD equivalent of the tariff in 2017, but the Mobile Network Operators did not approve it will not have be in the best interest of their subscribers.
It our findings added that it was later collectively agreed upon by all parties in the sector that the daily and social media bundles remain unaffected by the new charges.
Against that backdrop our source continues NatCA has scheduled further meetings with the management of Orange, Africell and Qcell mobile companies to discuss the tariff review that is expected to take effect before the weekend.
“In the next 24 hours, MNOs and NatCA are expected reach an agreement on the final tariff,” our sources at NatCA said, stating that in previous engagements Mobile Network Operators have committed themselves toward doing businesses aimed at supporting the growth and development of the country’s telecommunication sector.
