Welcome to the Liberia Telecommunications Authority. Today marks a historic occasion with the signing of the very first regulations by this Acting Board of Commissioners.
I am Abdullah Kamara, LTA’s Acting Chairperson. We are privileged to be signatories to regulations that will enhance opportunities for many Liberians. Today, we will be signing two major regulations that have resulted from extensive research, review, and public consultation as required by the LTA Act. The first regulation is the Numbering Regulations, which includes a revised Numbering Plan. Together, they provide a framework for the efficient allocation, assignment, utilization, and management of all telecommunication numbers, including Short Codes, throughout the nation in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.
While we have always had a plan for managing telephone numbers, we have now completed a well-structured framework with specific guidelines, processes, and standards to follow, including categories for the use of Short Codes. Prior to this regulation, all Short Codes were assigned through Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), who had complete control over assignments and pricing. This lack of regulation allowed MNOs to charge applicants several thousand United States dollars for Short Code usage, creating an unfair competitive environment—especially for new entrants in the Mobile Money market.
The new Numbering Regulation changes this landscape. All Short Codes will now become a national resource managed by the LTA, similar to Spectrum in some respects. The regulation dictates that the LTA alone will allocate, assign, and manage all Short Codes, providing equal access to all applicants on a first-come, first-served basis with basic requirements. The revised Numbering Plan categorizes Short Codes into 3-digit to 6-digit codes with provisions for Toll-Free, Premium, and other specially assigned numbers. The regulation clearly states that there will be no exclusive perpetual rights to numbers. The application fee for Short Codes is set at $25.00 USD with an annual authorization fee of $150.00 USD. The exception is for limited 3-digit Short Codes, which will have an authorization fee of $1,500 USD.
This framework promotes effective competition by decentralizing control over this scarce national resource. It ensures transparency while enhancing competition and opening up business opportunities for smaller entrepreneurs. Additionally, I would like to introduce another regulation: the Regulations on Wholesale Access to Telecommunication Networks for the Provision of Value-Added Services (VAS).
The VAS Regulation establishes criteria for fair market cost-based access for Short Code businesses to reach their customers through MNOs. It facilitates telecom sector development and provides guidelines for Aggregators—mediators who help smaller Short Code users gain access through MNOs—promoting sustainable wholesale access to non-telecom services. MNOs are classified as Essential Facilities, meaning they are the only means through which businesses can access their customer base. Therefore, these regulations require MNOs to provide access to Short Code users. Short Code businesses are classified as ‘non-facility-based,’ meaning they do not own a network and cannot build one. The VAS Regulation mandates that MNOs provide access accordingly. Over the next several months, the LTA has established a transitional arrangement requiring all active or reserved numbering resources to transition to the LTA. Following this transition period, the LTA will determine the numbering authorization fee.
During this time, MNOs will transfer their control and terminate existing contracts with Short Code businesses they currently have agreements with. These two distinct regulations that the Board will sign today aim to open up opportunities for smaller businesses and encourage Liberian participation in ownership, control, and management.
Our media team has created a special portal for members of the Fourth Estate to access a complete set of these regulations for further review.
