…LTA Slams Measure as “Illegal, Arbitrary”
The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), says its “attention has been drawn to the illegal and arbitrary increase in cost of service (voice & data bundles) by both Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) Lonestar Cell MTN and Orange under the pretense of complying with the surcharge order.”
“The LTA regards this act as illegal price fixing, collusion, and antitrust conspiracy, a press statement issued by LTA said.
The release indicated that under relevant provisions of the Liberia Telecommunications Act of 2007, no ‘Term Services” can be increased without approval of the LTA.
LTA order 0016-02-25-19 resulted in the introduction of a Floor Price on Voice and Data, under which the MNOs eliminated the “3 days free call” package and a windfall of over a 104 Million USD in extra revenue, the release further said.
According too the LTA, “the New Term of Services which is being implemented by the MNOs now is far in excess of what is required for implementation of any order and designed for profiteering and political purposes.”
“The MNOs are hereby given 12 hours to rescind this illegal price increase or face appropriate punitive measures,” the LTA release, signed by its Management pointed out.
