MONROVIA – Liberia has entered the 5G era, at least in parts of Monrovia. Orange Liberia says it is the first operator to offer the technology commercially. The promise is faster internet, shorter delays and room for digital banking, telemedicine and online learning. Regulators and ministers cheered the launch at the company’s 16th Street headquarters last Thursday. But their praise came with a condition. They want the network to reach rural communities, not just the capital. That is the real test of this launch. A farmer in a remote town gains nothing from a signal his phone cannot catch. The cost of compatible handsets and data bundles will also decide who benefits. THE ANALYST reports.
Orange Liberia has launched the country’s first commercial fifth-generation (5G) mobile network, a development that opens new possibilities for faster internet connectivity and digital services and makes the company the first mobile network operator in Liberia to offer the technology.
Officials hailed the launch as a “new era” for the telecom sector, but urged a rollout beyond Monrovia and into rural communities.
The launch took place on Thursday, October 29, at Orange Liberia’s iCON 16 headquarters on 16th Street in Monrovia. Officials from the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MOPT), the Ministry of Information (MOI) and other institutions attended the ceremony and later toured Orange Liberia’s 5G hub, gaining firsthand insight into the infrastructure underpinning the country’s next generation of telecommunications.
“World-Class Connectivity”
Speaking at the ceremony, Orange Liberia Chief Executive Officer Jean Marius Yao said the investment in 5G is intended to support Liberia’s digital transformation ambitions. He stated that the country’s digital agenda cannot be achieved without reliable, modern telecommunications infrastructure.
“This digital transformation will not be possible if we don’t have the world-class connectivity,” Yao said, describing the investment as part of the company’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s development. According to Yao, the technology will strengthen opportunities for businesses, individuals and entrepreneurs to innovate, create value and contribute to the national economy.
He also noted that the decision to introduce 5G reflects the company’s confidence in Liberia’s future and its intention to remain a long-term investment partner.
“We are here to stay, we are here to support the economy,” he said, adding that Orange Liberia intends to position itself as a trusted partner in the country’s digital transformation. Yao thanked the LTA, the MOPT and the MOI for creating the policy and regulatory environment needed to encourage technological innovation.
How Customers Can Access 5G
Orange Liberia’s Chief Marketing, Digital and Communication Officer, Jean-Christophe Bobda Chatchueng, explained how subscribers can use the new service. Customers must have a 5G-compatible smartphone, activate the 5G service through the company’s Max it application, and be within an area covered by the network.
Customers must also set their devices to 5G Auto mode so their phones connect automatically when they enter a 5G coverage area. Chatchueng emphasized that access requires activating the relevant 5G offer through the application rather than through the traditional USSD platform.
Regulator: “The Future Has Landed”
LTA Chairperson Clarence K. Massaquoi welcomed the launch, calling the introduction of 5G a significant milestone in Liberia’s technological advancement. “What was seen as the future has landed,” Massaquoi said, noting that modern telecommunications infrastructure could support education, entrepreneurship and other important sectors.
He stated that the regulator’s responsibility is to create an enabling environment for technological advancement through appropriate policies, guidelines and regulations. Massaquoi thanked Orange Liberia for its investment and reaffirmed the LTA’s commitment to strengthening the sector through effective regulation.
He also expressed hope that the company would expand the service beyond Monrovia to reach communities across the country, stressing that broader access would allow more Liberians to benefit from improved connectivity.
Government Stresses Rural Reach
Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Sekou M. Kromah said he was satisfied with Liberia’s entry into the 5G era, describing it as a major milestone. He credited Orange Liberia for taking the lead in introducing the technology and acknowledged the company’s engagement with the regulator to improve services.
However, Kromah stressed the importance of extending the service to rural communities and ensuring that different sectors of the economy benefit. He said the government is particularly interested in seeing the benefits of improved connectivity reach communities outside major urban centers.
Deputy Minister for Press and Public Affairs at the MOI, Daniel O. Sando, congratulated Orange Liberia, describing the launch as a milestone that deserves national recognition. He observed that it comes at a time when the government is pursuing decentralization, adding that improved telecommunications services could support efforts to extend development opportunities beyond Monrovia.
What 5G Means
Fifth-generation mobile network technology, or 5G, is an advancement over 4G. It offers faster internet speeds, reduced network delays, greater network capacity and improved support for multiple connected devices. The technology can support high-quality video streaming, digital banking, online education, telemedicine, cloud computing and other advanced digital services.
Challenges Ahead
Orange Liberia is one of the country’s major GSM operators and a significant player in the telecommunications industry. The introduction of commercial 5G is expected to create new opportunities for digital innovation, although the extent of its impact will depend partly on network coverage, the affordability of compatible devices and data services, and the expansion of infrastructure beyond major urban areas.
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