Clarence Massaquoi, nominee to chair the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), is calling for urgent telecom sector reforms, warning that Orange Liberia and Lonestar Cell MTN have created a near-monopoly that threatens consumer choice, price fairness, and digital growth.
Testifying before the Senate Committee on Post and Telecommunications on Monday, July 21, Massaquoi urged lawmakers to support the entry of a third or fourth telecom operator to inject competition into a market he described as "dangerously unbalanced."
"This is not a competitive telecom market," Massaquoi said. "If care is not taken to introduce another operator, Liberians will be forced to follow whatever the current companies demand."
Liberia Telecom Market Dominated by Two Operators
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Liberia's mobile market is currently served only by Orange Liberia and Lonestar Cell MTN, who jointly control network infrastructure, pricing models, and customer experience. Massaquoi warned that the lack of alternatives allows both companies to set call rates and data charges without fear of customer loss.
"If Orange and MTN decide to charge 25 cents per minute tomorrow, there's nothing we can do," he told senators. "We need a third or fourth operator--not as a luxury, but as a necessity."
Massaquoi pointed to The Gambia, with a smaller population than Liberia but more than two active telecom providers, as an example of how competition can improve service quality and lower costs.
Plan to Retrieve Dormant Telecom Licenses in Liberia
As part of his proposed reform agenda, Massaquoi vowed to review and reclaim dormant telecom licenses and frequency allocations. He said these resources are being "warehoused" by companies that have failed to launch operations.
"If I give you a license--my frequency--and you don't operate, that's warehousing national assets," he said. "The LTA will begin the process of reclaiming those licenses to make room for serious players."
Revival of LTC as Third Operator Under Public-Private Model
Massaquoi also proposed reviving the dormant Liberia Telecommunications Corporation (LTC) through public-private partnerships (PPP) or direct private equity investment. He argued that LTC could become a functional third operator to challenge the Orange-MTN duopoly if properly capitalized.
"LTC is often seen as a liability because it lacks investment. But if we allow a credible operator to acquire shares or operate under a PPP model, LTC could become viable again," he said.
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Senators Back Push for Competitive Telecom Market
Grand Kru Senator Numene T.H. Bartekwa endorsed Massaquoi's proposal, saying the dominance of Orange and Lonestar Cell MTN has failed to meet public expectations.
"The current providers are not delivering value to the Liberian people," Bartekwa said. "We must explore new options to increase access and reduce costs."
Data-Driven Regulation Promised if Confirmed
If confirmed as LTA Chairperson, Massaquoi said his administration would use real-time market data to guide regulatory decisions aimed at boosting telecom sector competition, enhancing internet access in rural Liberia, and expanding digital inclusion nationwide.
