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NatCA fines Orange Sierra Leone 1 million dollars

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 AYV News, January 24, 2025

(NatCA) has levied a fine of One Million United States Dollars on Orange Sierra Leone, one of the country’s telecommunications providers over the Company’s abysmal network quality and neglect to its subscribers concerns.

The penalty follows widespread public outcry over the Company’s persistently poor services, raising serious concerns about its commitment to delivering reliable telecommunications.

NatCA, the government body tasked with regulating the ICT sector, confirmed that the fine was necessitated by Orang-e SL’s repeated failure to meet service quality benchmarks. According to sources within NatCA, the company ignored numerous opportunities to address customer complaints, despite repeated engagements and assurances of improvement.

Orange Sierra Leone, under the leadership of its CEO, Sekou Amadou Bah, has not only failed to deliver on its promises but has blatantly missed critical deadlines, including a December 15, 2024, ultimatum to improve services.

The current crisis reflects not just a failure of technology but a glaring deficiency in leadership. Bah’s inability to address the growing dissatisfaction among Orange SL’s customers is a damning indictment of his stewardship.

Under Sekou’s leadership, the company has made lofty promises of improving its infrastructure and expanding coverage, yet the reality on the ground tells a different story. Across Sierra Leone, customers continue to endure dropped calls, snail-paced internet, and a general lack of responsiveness from Orange SL’s customer service. Such issues are not isolated incidents but systemic problems that have persisted for years, leaving customers frustrated and disillusioned.

NatCA’s decision to invoke the punitive provisions of its regulatory framework is both a bold and necessary step. The $1 million fine sends a clear message: substandard service delivery will no longer be tolerated.

According to a statement from NatCA, the penalty serves as a warning to Orange SL and a reminder to all ICT providers that they are obligated to meet acceptable service standards.

Additionally, NatCA has issued directives for Orange Sierra Leone to implement significant network enhancements by February 2025. Failure to comply will result in further sanctions, possibly crippling the company’s operations. The ultimatum underscores the gravity of the situation and NatCA’s determination to ensure that customers receive value for their money.

For years, Sierra Leoneans have borne the brunt of Orange SL’s neglect. The poor network quality has far-reaching implications, disrupting businesses, hindering communication, and frustrating efforts to digitize essential services.

The company’s disregard for its customers is evident in its inability to honour commitments. By failing to meet the December deadline set by NatCA, Orange SL has demonstrated a lack of urgency and accountability.

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