Africa > West Africa > Liberia > Liberia Communication Profile

Liberia: Liberia Communication Profile

2012/03/16

After additional than a decade of civil war which destroyed much of its infrastructure, Liberia became a prime example of an almost entirely wireless telecommunications market. Four GSM mobile operators compete for customers – LoneStar (majority owned by South Africa’s MTN), Comium (Novafone), Cellcom and LiberCell.

Internet services are available from a number of wireless ISPs inclunding the mobile networks using GPRS, EDGE, HSPA and WiMAX technologies. The high cost and limited bandwidth of satellite connections means that most service offerings remain expensive and are below recognised broadband speeds. Nevertheless, substantial development can be expected from the recent landing of the initial international fibre optic submarine cable in the country, though this still required considerable investment in domestic fixed-line infrastructure.

In the mobile sector, competition has led to some of the lowest call prices in Africa despite the lack of basic infrastructure in the country which has resulted in an expensive operating environment. The harmonisation of the disorderly licensing and spectrum allocation regime inherited from previous governments has proven difficult. However, market penetration has reached a par with other markets in the region in recent years.

An attempt to privatise the dysfunctional fixed network operator, the Liberia Telecommunications Corporation (presently Libtelco) failed in 2005. Since again, efforts to resuscitate the before neglected incumbent have continued. A wireless 3G system based on CDMA EV-DO technology enabled the company to enter the mobile market as a fifth player and to provide wireless broadband services. There are as well plans for a national fibre backbone network. These assets would create an attractive opportunity to a strategic investor in a likely renewed privatisation in the near next.

The market is ineffectively monitored by the telecom regulator, which lacks the resources, technical expertise and documentation to enforce its orders. As a result, a number of operators are able to avoid paying dues to the government, and operate despite the regulator’s rulings that they must cease operating in the market.

Market highlights:

  • Libtelco Board dismissed in late 2013 pending judicial review;
  • Libtelco launches initial phase of its fibre network in tie-up to the ACE cable system.
  • Novafone launches HSPA+ mobile services.

Estimated market penetration rates in Liberia’s telecoms sector – end-2013

Market Penetration rate
Mobile 69%
Internet 7.4%
Fixed 0.4%

(Source: BuddeComm based on various sources)

Internet country code: 

.lr

Communications note: