As Mobile Companies Set to Review Tariff, Citizens Assured of no Increment in Daily Bundles

As the National Telecommunications Authority [NATCA] welcomes the proposal of tariff increment, the head of Corporate Affairs at Africell Sierra Leone, Joe Abass Bangura has in a radio interview with 98.1 on Thursday 12 January 2023, said that there will be no increment on daily and social media Bundle used by mobile subscribers in the country. He stated that they were discussion with Natca and there have already been some agreements with Natca. He further clarified in the said interview that the daily bundles that a majority of Sierra Leoneans buy will not be changed in the process.

Meanwhile, Orange and Africell have been expressing serious concerns about the non-profitability of their businesses due to inflation and the global economic crisis. This situation has left the companies struggling to pay staff and other utility Bills to sustain their operations . The expected tariff review will affect the cost of voice calls only. All other services are expected- to the remain as they are, as of now.

According to reports, this decision came after consultations, dialogue and engagements in December 2022, at the country lodge Hotel in Freetown with mobile Network operators, the Minister of Information and communication, consumer protection Agency, the media, the regulatory body of all mobile companies [NATCA], Civil Society Organizations, Okada Riders, Market women , Kekeh Riders and other stakeholders in the country that endorsed the minimal tariff increment.