By Contributing Writer
MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Statements made by Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) Commissioner Clarence Massaquoi regarding the Authority’s ability to monitor telecommunications traffic have been challenged by individuals described as having knowledge of the country’s telecommunications monitoring systems.
According to the sources within the LTA and people knowledgeable of the sector, said, the LTA is currently not conducting comprehensive, real-time telecommunications traffic monitoring because it allegedly lacks the technical infrastructure, software capability, and direct network integration required for such operations.
The sources contend that effective telecommunications traffic monitoring involves far more than simply possessing monitoring equipment. They explain that an independent traffic monitoring system must maintain secure, real-time connections with licensed telecommunications operators to collect signaling and traffic data directly from designated network interfaces. The captured data is then processed using specialized software that analyzes call records, signaling information, routing details, fraud indicators, and revenue-related information for regulatory purposes.
According to these sources, without active software platforms, valid software licenses, and operational interfaces with mobile network operators, a monitoring centre can not perform meaningful regulatory traffic monitoring.
One source further asserted that the monitoring platform originally deployed by Global Voice Group (GVG) during its engagement with the Liberian government has become technologically outdated. The source claimed that the equipment, which was installed during GVG’s contract period, has not kept pace with evolving telecommunications technologies and therefore requires updated software and licensing to remain operational.
The same source further alleged that, following the expiration of GVG’s contractual relationship with the Government of Liberia, GVG did not transfer or extend the proprietary software licenses necessary to operate and upgrade the monitoring platform. According to the source, because the software license remained proprietary to GVG, the LTA has been unable to utilize the existing equipment fully or perform software upgrades needed to support current-generation telecommunications networks.
These claims have not been independently verified, and GVG has not publicly commented on these specific allegations.
Independent Traffic Monitoring
Industry experts note that telecommunications regulators around the world frequently engage independent traffic monitoring companies to enhance regulatory oversight and revenue assurance. Such systems typically operate independently from telecommunications operators and regulators to ensure impartiality and transparency.
Modern traffic monitoring platforms generally perform functions such as:
- Real-time collection of telecommunications traffic data.
- Verification of operators’ traffic declarations.
- Detection of international call bypass (SIM box fraud).
- Revenue assurance and reconciliation.
- Monitoring of international gateway traffic.
- Verification of regulatory fee calculations.
- Generation of audit trails and analytical reports for regulators.
These systems typically require secure interconnections with operators’ switching equipment and signaling infrastructure, as well as continuously updated software capable of supporting evolving telecommunications technologies.
Questions Over Current Monitoring Capability
Commissioner Massaquoi recently indicated that the LTA is monitoring telecommunications traffic and disclosed that the Authority has entered into a three-year agreement with Numtel.
However, the sources questioned whether the current arrangement possesses the technical capability necessary for comprehensive traffic monitoring. They argue that hardware alone is insufficient and that effective monitoring depends upon licensed software, continuous system updates, secure connectivity with operators, and sophisticated analytical tools.
The sources also expressed concern that an inspection of the monitoring facility would reveal whether the infrastructure currently supports modern regulatory monitoring.
Revenue Transparency
The discussion has also renewed questions regarding regulatory revenue collection following the suspension of the previous traffic monitoring arrangement. Some observers have called for the LTA to publish information on regulatory revenues collected since that suspension, arguing that greater transparency would strengthen public confidence in the sector.
The LTA has not publicly released comprehensive figures in response to those requests.
Background
The controversy follows the suspension of the previous telecommunications traffic monitoring arrangement by the Government of Liberia. Subsequently, legislative review reportedly recommended renegotiation of the relevant contractual framework rather than outright termination.
As debate continues, industry observers say that clarity regarding the technical capabilities of Liberia’s telecommunications monitoring infrastructure will be important for public confidence, regulatory oversight, and the continued development of the country’s telecommunications sector.
