The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) has suspended the implementation of the surcharges, which prompted GSM Companies to increase charges on voice and data services.
Both Orange Liberia and Lonestar Cell MTN announced on Thursday October 15, 2020 that they would begin making full restitution to subscribers who had purchased bundles at surcharge tariffs between October 8-14, 2020.
According to the LTA, the suspension of the surcharges came through the intervention of President George Manneh Weah.
During the short period of the implementation of the surcharges, many Liberians raised serious eyebrows on government on its motive behind the increment.
Orange vs Government
The Supreme Court of Liberia up held and finally ended Orange three days free call Wahala with the LTA in a ruling made by the sixth Judicial Civil law court in a petition for Judicial review filed by Orange Liberia .
Orange Liberia before the implementation of the new surcharges took the Liberian government to court on grounds that the implementation of new price-flow will go against its customers.
It can be recalled on the 25th of February 2019, the LTA caused the publication of its order captioned LTA services and regulatory fee on telecommunication goods and services.
Part II section 2.1 of the said order, sets forth the price floor for on-net voice at US$0.0156 per minute and section 2.3 sets the floor for data services at US$0.0218 per megabye something that led Orange Liberia to file petition of Judicial review against the LTA.
But LTA was acting on the 2007 Act which delegates to and empowers the LTA among other things to make regulations and rules and promulgate orders respecting any matter or thing, including orders to compel a person to comply with or implement the purposes of the telecommunication Act of 2007, a regulation, rule or license.
The surcharge is a government revenue generator from the telecommunications sector, which was recently implemented to replace the 5 percent tax.
It represents US$22 million on a turnover of US$93.3 million turnovers, with a big sum of that going to Orange France as management and royalties’ fees to avoid further paying local taxes.
The latest decision means Liberians will again start paying $1.00USD for 45 minutes and $2.00USD both voice on-net call and 1.2 GB data respectively.
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