By Amin Kef (Ranger)
In a Press Conference held on August 13, 2024, Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, issued a formal apology on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone for the country’s ongoing internet service issues. He assured citizens that significant improvements are underway as mobile companies are currently engaged in extensive upgrades to enhance both the quality and reliability of internet services across the nation.
The Press Conference, led by Minister Chernor Bah and Minister of Communications, Technology and Innovation, Salima Monorma Bah, covered a broad spectrum of topics including the current internet service challenges and Sierra Leone’s position on the United Nations Security Council.
Minister Salima Bah highlighted the Government’s commitment to improving digital infrastructure, aligning with President Julius Maada Bio’s vision for enhanced connectivity. She noted that internet access is now viewed as a fundamental human right, prompting substantial investments from both the Government and private sector.
The Communications Minister also presented notable projects and initiatives:
– Tech Summit Achievements: The successful Tech Summit showcased President Bio’s launch of the $50 million Digital Transformation Project, Felei Tech City Project and Star Link initiative.
– National Fiber Backbone 2 Project: The project is expanding fiber optic coverage to 14 out of 16 districts, with efforts continuing to reach all districts. The Universal Access Development Fund (UADF) has also supported the launch of nine rural telephony sites.
– Cybersecurity and Digital Training: Over 3,200 pupils and 500 entrepreneurs have been trained in cybersecurity and digital marketing, with support from Orange and Huawei.
Despite these efforts, Minister Salima Bah acknowledged ongoing challenges, including recent internet outages caused by tampering with undersea fiber optic cables. She said the Government is exploring collaborative solutions with Guinea to enhance broadband speed and stability.
Infrastructure and Connectivity Statistics:
– Mobile Connectivity: 96.7% of the population has potential access to mobile connectivity.
– Coverage Rates: 96% for 2G, 95.9% for 3G, and 87.7% for 4G.
– Data Penetration: Increased to 2.1 million people, a 15% rise from the previous year.
Minister Bah’s delegation is negotiating an interconnection agreement with Guinea to ensure network stability. Additionally, a new pricing formula for mobile data, akin to the fuel industry model, is being developed to ensure fair pricing for consumers.
Mahmoud Idriss, Executive Director of Zoodlabs, discussed the company’s role in managing the subsea cable infrastructure, which is currently undergoing maintenance. Idriss acknowledged the issues with aging infrastructure and the need for additional cables to ensure connectivity.
Leonecom’s Alimamy Thomas Momodu and Abdul Ben-Foday from the National Telecommunications Authority (NatCA) also addressed ongoing efforts to improve internet service, including new tower constructions by Orange, Qcell, and Africell.
Despite assurances, public dissatisfaction with Zoodlabs persists, especially after a significant outage on August 4, 2024. Citizens are calling for immediate Government intervention and accountability from Zoodlabs, which has faced criticism for failing to upgrade outdated equipment and for a lack of transparency regarding recent disruptions.
In response, NatCA convened an emergency meeting to develop a contingency plan and explore alternative routes to enhance service resilience.
The ongoing scrutiny of Zoodlabs and the Government’s proactive measures are crucial for ensuring a reliable digital future for Sierra Leone. The public’s demand for stable and efficient internet services remains a top priority.
