By Audrey Raymonda John
On Saturday, May 18th, 2024, the National Telecommunication Authority (NTA) and the Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) jointly marked World Telecom Day at Fourbay Road, Sierra Leone, with a series of events and discussions highlighting the pivotal role of telecommunications in the nation’s development.
In his address, Mr. Alexcious B. Ansumana, Manager of Economic Regulations and Competition at the NTA, outlined the agency’s mandate, emphasizing its responsibilities in licensing and regulating ICT service providers, managing the national frequency spectrum, overseeing the National Numbering Plan, and ensuring fair competition and investment in the sector. He underscored the NTA’s commitment to protecting consumers of ICT products and services, promoting the progressive development of ICTs, supporting universal access to ICT services, promoting cybersecurity, and enforcing SIM/UIM card registration regulations.
Mr. Ansumana acknowledged the collaborative efforts with consumer-related organizations, recognizing their indispensable role in the telecom industry’s ecosystem.
President Ibrahim Kabia of the CPA hailed this year’s commemoration as a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s telecom history, highlighting the global impact of telecommunications. He expressed gratitude to Qcell mobile company for their participation and lauded them as one of the country’s most affordable and rapidly expanding mobile service providers. Mr. Kabia urged Qcell to maintain its commitment to delivering quality services to the nation.
Edward Nelson Pratt, Head of Marketing at Qcell, reiterated the company’s dedication to providing unparalleled services to subscribers since its establishment in 2019. He boasted of Qcell’s extensive coverage across all 14 districts of Sierra Leone, attributing their success to the introduction of fiber cable technology. Pratt announced plans to introduce 5G technology soon to enhance network reliability and efficiency. Additionally, he highlighted the introduction of Qmoney to facilitate ease of transactions across the country.
The commemoration, chaired by Mr. Komeh, emphasized the significance of World Telecom Day, culminating in a session of questions and answers.
The event showcased the collaborative efforts between regulatory bodies, consumer protection agencies, and industry players to advance the telecommunications landscape in Sierra Leone, ensuring accessibility, affordability, and quality services for all citizens.