The National Communications Authority- NatCA, as an agency under the Ministry of Information and Communications is charged with regulating the operations of telecommunications and ICT service providers in the country. In all of NatCA’s operations, the promotion of universal access to basic telecommunications services, providing a fair market ecosystem for sector players, protecting telecommunications operators and consumers from unfair conduct and improving the quality of services provided are key.
A-Z magazine spoke with the leadership of the telecommunications regulatory body in order to get an insight into progress made thus far relating to ICT service delivery.
In the words of DG Kaitibi, the mandate of NatCA is to “foster a progressive and enabling environment for the development of the ICT industry in Sierra Leone”, which is in harmony with the Medium Term National Development Plan cluster 3.5 (greater efficiency in connectivity service delivery because of the digital divide). The Commission is cognizant of the fact that ICT is a key driver of transformation in almost all spheres of our lives, and in view of this, the Commission’s activities have followed the key policy actions of:
- Reviewing the regulatory and legal framework for the ICT ecosystem
- Expanding ICT coverage and increase internet Broadband
- Upgrade rural telecommunications by improving customer choice and affordability, among others…..
Within the period under review, our achievements are glaringly clear for all to see.
The NATCOM act of 2006 has been repealed and replaced with a new act, which is now the National Communications Authority Act 2022.
REGULATIONS
In December 2020, the Commission developed five (5) telecommunications Regulations which have now become statutory instruments. These include:
- Telecommunications Licensing Regulations
- Telecommunications Quality of Service Regulations
- Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations
- Subscriber Identification and Registration Management Regulations
- Electronic Communications Equipment Type Approval Regulations
These regulations now provide clear predictability in the operations of the commission and help to avoid market failure, foster effective competition, protect consumer interest and increase access to technology and services, giving consideration to digital right which is now a human right issue.
These cutting-edge best practice regulations are essential for the ICT/Telecoms ecosystem.
Additionally, a number of Regulations and Guidelines have also been drafted.
LICENSING
The licensing regime of the Commission/Authority has been undergoing regular changes, from technology-specific to technology-neutral unified licenses issued to accommodate new Service Providers, leading to new entrants and services in the ICT market in the country.
The new Licensing Regulations have further enhanced the introduction of new revenue streams in the sector from Individual or Class licenses for operators, to Infrastructure or Service-Based licenses, Value Added Service Providers (VASPs), Special Numbering Resources (Short Code) users, etc.
The tables below visualize the increases in Service Providers due to the diversified license administrations now employed.
| NO. | CATEGORY | QUANTITY |
| 1 | Mobile Network Operators (MNO) | 4 [2G, 3G & 4G Networks, plus 2 (5G) trial license)] |
| 2 | Fixed Wireless Networks | 1 [Sierratel ADSL Network] |
| 3 | Internet Service Providers (ISPs) | 27 [Primary ISPs] |
| Cable Landing Station (CLS), National Terrestrial Fiber Backbone (NTFB), Quality of Service (QoS) Vendor, International Gateway Monitoring Station (IGMS), Metropolitan Fiber Cable Network (Metro) | CLS (1), NTFB (1), QoS (1), IGMS (1), Metro (3) | |
| 4 | Television Stations | 16 [Religious – 4, Public – 1, Commercial – 10, Education –1] |
| 5 | Frequency Modulation (FM) Radio Stations | 178 [Commercial – 79, Community – 37, Education – 10, Public – 13, Religious – 39] |
| 6 | Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) Operators | 16 |
| 7 | VHF/UHF Radio Users | 20 |
| 8 | Ship Stations | 60 |
| 9 | Short Code Users | 41 |
| 10 | Value Added Service (VAS) Providers (VASPs) | 5 |
Table 1: Summary of Telecommunications Operators
IMPROVING DIGITAL PENETRATION
The authority provides the enabling environment for MNOs and ISPs to continuously implement
rollout plans in line with their license terms and connectivity
It has facilitated increased connectivity and improved coverage telecoms services throughout the country including remote and underserved areas.
This initiative is in line with cluster 3.5 of the MTNDP which relates to ICT and connectivity service to bridge the digital divide.
The upgrading of MNO sites from 2G to 3G and 4G technologies has further improved data penetration from 12% to about 25% and increased mobile voice penetration to about 93% in 2022. Several engagements have been madecentered on leveraging partnerships to deliver connectivity in Hard-to-reach areas in Rural Sierra Leone and equally too unlocking the Digital Economy
COMPLIANCE CHECKS
The Authority has embarked on regular nationwide compliance checks on Service Providers to verify their license status and regulatory fees payments for ICT service deployment and usage.
The compliance checks have also revealed pirate or illegal ICT installations like FM, VHF and VSAT stations and the necessary appropriate measures have been instituted.
The Regulations have further empowered the Authority in active liaison with stakeholders like the MNOs and Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) to ensure proper enforcement for SIM card registration and sales across the country, leading to a reduction in the cases of cybercrimes, which are now collectively and properly investigated by the concerned parties. There is also strong collaboration between MNOs and the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) to ensure the integration of SIMs with National Identification Numbers (NINs) for effective Know Your Customer (KYC) Database management.
UNBUNDLING OF FIBER CABLE INFRASTRUCTURE: CABLE LANDING STATION & TERRESTRIAL FIBER BACKBONE
The Government of Sierra Leone fiber cable infrastructure managed by SALCAB was unbundled by a Cabinet White Paper in August 2020, and through the Public Private Partnership (PPP), the wet-segment was put under the management of the Cable Landing Station (CLS), Zoodlabs, while the dry-segment was awarded to the National Terrestrial Fiber Backbone network, Leonecom. Improved service delivery has been aided by the large bandwidth capacity of Zoodlabs and Leonecom, and the continuous reductions in the cost of bandwidth for Service Providers [MNOs, ISPs, Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Corporate Agencies and Private Companies and Individuals].
In the past couple of years, there has been a steady acceleration in the upgrading of the existing terrestrial fiber backbone by Leonecom and extension to other major towns and cities across the country, directed by MIC, from Freetown to Gbalamuya on the Guinea border and Gendema on the Liberia border. Redundancies have also been created to minimise downtimes.
Previously unconnected major towns like Pujehun, Moyamba, Kailahun, Koinadugu and Bonthe are now being connected in the second phase of the terrestrial fiber backbone expansion. These regions would also benefit from fiber Internet to schools and other educational institutions, health centers, district and city councils and the general populace.
METROPOLITAN FIBER CABLE NETWORKS
In early 2022, following consultations with stakeholders in the fiber cable infrastructure ecosystem, the Commission awarded licenses to three Metropolitan Fiber Networks, leading to an increase in data penetration in the capital city and other major towns in the country. The spread of fiber cable networks is also supported by the deployment of similar networks by MNOs to interconnect their cell sites.
QUALITY OF SERVICE DELIVERY AND COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
The retention of the services of a Quality-of-Service vendor that analyses the Call Data Records (CDRs) and Cell Site Statistics has highlighted areas of improvement for MNOs to ensure better service delivery for their customers.
A Helpdesk has been revamped for MNO’s subscribers that guarantees the speedy resolution of their complaints across the country.
FINTECH OPERATIONS (Mobile Money Services)
Mobile Money Operations (MMO) hosted by MNOs have been steadily increasing in the past three years, with Digital Financial Services (DFS) now available at MNO offices and Agent/Sub-Agent locations throughout the country, contributing to a higher Fintech penetration.
MMO integration with traditional Financial Service Providers (FSP) like banks have also increased in the last three years, with the ultimate goal of implementing the National Financial Switch, which is the main aim of the Bank of Sierra Leone (BSL).
The solid Memorandum of Understanding between BSL and NATCOM will pave the way for the comprehensive regulation of Fintech services, for the benefit of both institutions and the Government of Sierra Leone as well as the consumers.
The expansion of Digital Financial Services (DFS) through Mobile Money platforms has been improving with digital penetration across the country. As reported by BSL, Mobile Money use has seen unprecedented growth with improved coverage in Sierra Leone, with agents spread all around cities, towns and villages across the country.
DFS is being used to reach as many people as possible with products and services to improve their livelihoods and quality of life.
HARMONIZED TARIFFS FOR TELECOMS SERVICES
The Telecommunications Act 2006 (as amended) and subsequent Regulations mandate the establishment of fair and harmonised tariffs for services offered by providers, for the protection of investments and consumer interests.
As such, in 2019 a Tariff Cap and Floor was set for all MNOs to adhere to, in contrast to the previous situation when there was a tariff war with the dominant networks suppressing competition from the smaller players but with the new entrants also threatening the investment of the bigger players.
In the same vein, on 13th January 2023, the previous tariff floor and cap [590, 650] was revised to the following rates: VOICE: MTR NLE0.470; FLOOR NLE0.950; CAP NLE1.100. DATA NLE15/1GB.
HARMONIZED NATIONAL NUMBERING PLAN
The National Numbering Plan (NNP) was previously not well harmonized but in recent times, the Authority with the aid of the Act and new Regulations and Guidelines has achieved harmony in the assignment and monitoring of usage of National Numbering Resources including Special Number Resources (SNRs) or Short Codes for better Telecommunications service implementation and delivery.
TRIPPLE A
The Authority’s aim of achieving Access, Availability and Affordability (AAA) for services rendered by all Service Providers like SIM cards, top-ups, customer service, voice and data services, ICT service devices, etc., are assured in all major cities, towns and villages.
