Dozens of subscribers of GSM companies and other service providers have vehemently criticized what they called “poor” Internet services in Liberia. In a recent opinion poll conducted via Spoon Talk, the aggrieved subscribers described Orange-Liberia, Lonestar MTN and Telecell’s Internet services as” bad and terrible” at the detriment of their valued customers over the years.
During the opinion poll, Telecell was also hard-hit and branded as the worst internet provider, while some subscribers blamed Orange-Liberia and Lonestar MTN for providing unreliable internet services as well. They also argued that data bundles once purchased and unused during and after expiration period should remain in the accounts of subscribers as opposed to arbitrarily de-activativating the data usage.
Though there were pocket of subscribers who defended both Orange-Liberia and Lonestar MTN for providing better internet services, the two leading GSM companies have been cautioned to improve their internet services. Also in contrast, one representative of Telecell only identified as Alvin, categorically dismissed the claim of poor internet services being provided by his company.
The Telecell representative told the opinion poll that his institution has a “Rapid Response Team” tasked with the mandate to oversee and resolve technical faults experienced by its subscribers. He described as unfortunate, the branding of his entity as the worst internet provider, “Our technical team has been catering to our subscribers who have put forth their queries for redress,” Alvin emphasized.
Up to press time, the Liberia Telecommunications Authority, LTA, the statutory arm of government responsible to regulate all telecommunications-related entities, has remained tight-lip amid intense public outcry over poor internet services from GSM Companies and other service providers in the country. Several advocacy groups and Political pundits have, however, argued that the internet problem confronting Liberia requires strong political will and immediate intervention by authorities at the Liberia Telecommunications Authority.
Author: Joseph T. Koon
