Liberians are currently turning to the Senate, whose decision will determine whether the incumbent LIBTELCO will remain solely a fixed telephone company or integrate GSM. The House of Representatives has already given its approval for the technological development of public society.

The House of Representatives of the Republic of Liberia is currently awaiting the opinion of the Senate on the bill it adopted on August 11, 2020 amending the Telecommunications Act of 2007, part IV, section 12 (2) ( 3) (4) and section 13 (1) and (2) to expand the functions of The Liberia Telecommunications Corporation (LIBTELCO). 

If the Senate approves it, the President of the Republic George Weah will promulgate it and the incumbent telecommunications operator will then enter the mobile telephony sector alongside Lonestar Cell MTN and Orange Liberia.

As LIBTELCO enters the GSM segment, the House of Representatives believes it will enable the public company to provide world-class telecommunications products and services at affordable prices to all Liberians; which will contribute to the growth of various sectors, such as education, health, banking, energy and will serve the masses in general for a sustainable economic growth of society.

Beyond providing world-class telecommunications products and services at affordable prices for all Liberians, the House of Representatives would especially like LIBTELCO to contribute more to the national budget.

The House of Representatives approved the amendment of the 2007 Telecommunications Act on the basis of the report of the Joint Commission for Post and Telecommunications, Ways, Means and Finances and the Judiciary, responsible for assessing the feasibility of this transformation and its merits. The report, which was produced after a public hearing and consultations that lasted three weeks, concluded that the change in the law is beneficial.

Source: Agence Ecofin