On November 22, the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) officially launched the Consumer Protection Regulations (CPR), a groundbreaking law designed to safeguard the rights of telecom consumers. Held in Ganta City, Nimba County, the ceremony marked a significant step toward ensuring consumers get fair value for their money and protecting them from issues such as poor service quality, unfair billing, and lack of transparency.
LTA Commissioner Patrick Honnah explained that the CPR, also known as the “People’s Regulation,” was developed after extensive consultations with telecom providers, consumers, and other stakeholders across Liberia. “This is a set of laws that directly affect the people—the consumers,” Honnah stated, highlighting the regulation’s focus on tackling deceptive practices, safeguarding consumer privacy, and requiring service providers to resolve complaints promptly.
The CPR will take full effect in 60 days and introduces several key provisions, including the creation of a dedicated short code, 2244, for consumers to report unresolved issues directly to the LTA. However, consumers must first address their complaints with their service providers before escalating them to the Authority. Billboards showcasing the short code will be displayed in cities across the country, informing the public of their rights under the new law.
In addition to the short code, the CPR also aims to eliminate misleading advertising, ensure fair pricing, and establish a consumer support center to help resolve complaints. The event was attended by over 400 participants, including government officials, telecom representatives, and Nimba County residents, all marking this as a historic milestone in the improvement of consumer protections in Liberia’s telecommunications sector.
