Civil Society Rep Attributes Slow Internet to Substandard Mobile Devices

Civil Society Rep Attributes Slow Internet to Substandard Mobile Devices

Alphonso Manley, Executive Director of the Civil Rights Coalition (CRC), informed Parliament that the suboptimal internet service widely experienced by Sierra Leoneans is significantly exacerbated by the prevalence of counterfeit or substandard mobile phones.

During a recent session involving Members of Parliament, journalists, and civil society representatives, Mr. Manley asserted that consumers utilizing low-quality devices should temper their service expectations, as these devices cannot achieve the performance of authentic, high-quality smartphones.

He elaborated that the recently discontinued Le 60 (1MBPS) data package, offered by mobile network operators Africell and Orange, was utilized by only three percent of the subscriber base, yet this small group consumed approximately 60 percent of the total network capacity. Manley stated that this substantial imbalance is a primary driver of network congestion and degraded service quality. 

He further explained that a single user on the Le 60 plan often shares their connection, effectively hot-spotting numerous other users and thereby diminishing the network's speed for all subscribers.

Mr. Manley also underscored the economic challenges for operators, noting that the disproportionately high data consumption by individual users on the Le 60 plan resulted in an unsustainable financial loss for the companies. He emphasized that unlimited data bundles are promotional and subject to withdrawal at any time, distinguishing them from standard tariffs, which require extensive regulatory engagement under Section 116 of the National Telecommunications Authority (NatCA) regulations.

In response, Parliament has formally requested that Africell and Orange reassess the discontinued Le 60 service and propose a viable, affordable alternative, with the National Telecommunications Authority (NatCA) tasked with overseeing the process.

According to Manley, achieving significant improvement in Sierra Leone's internet service necessitates not only a review of tariffs and promotions but also a critical focus on the quality of consumer devices and the systemic impact of heavy data users on network infrastructure.