Sierra Leone GSM Operators form Association

L-R; MD Comium Mr. Paul Hyde, CEO Africell Mr. Robert Khoury, MD Celtel Mr. Ted-sauti Phiri and Representative From Tigo Mr. Philip Amoateng.

The four operating mobile companies in Sierra Leone, Celtel, Tigo, Comium and Africell on Wednesday night officially launched the Sierra Leone GSM Operators Association.

Chairman of the occasion, Africell MD, Robert Khoury, said it was a great day for mobile operators in the country as they have new decided to coordinate under one umbrella. He said the association, which has received the blessings of GSM Africa Association, will cultivate and maintain strong link with the African body.

He said although the mobile industry is competitive in Sierra Leone, he described the competition as very healthy and the forming of it is meant to strengthen mobile operators in providing efficient and adequate mobile services to the country.

He called on the authorities to open up the international gateway which he said was crucial in enhancing communication in the country.

He observed that the mobile industry has brought positive development to Sierra Leone and mobile companies are contributing to the nation’s development by not only paying huge taxes but also by providing jobs for hundreds of youth and improving the lives of many.

A statement read on behalf of GSM Africa boss, Vitalish Olinga, said GSM Sierra Leone has the full blessing of his regional organization and that for them it was a positive move.

The statement also called for liberalization of the mobile industry by lifting the restriction on international gateway to mobile operators in Sierra Leonean. He also assured GSM Sierra Leone that they will always offer help if the need arises and he wished them good luck.

The proposal of a toast was done by Sahr Tumoe, representing (NATCOM), National Telecommunications Commission. Before proposing the toast he observed that as a Commission they set the rules and expect mobile operators to abide by the rules of the game.

He said they are happy for the new GSM S/L Association, but cautioned that they would not group themselves to present a case that should be presented by a single operator. He warned that NATCOM has not even started regulating and insisted that they would soon start assessing call charges, inter-call agreement and other issues. He called on GSM operators to have good relationship with the fixed operators like Sierratel.

On his part the Celtel MD, Ted Sauti Phiri, said as a company they would always abide by the rules of the game. He said Celtel have invested millions of dollars to bring world class communication to Sierra Leone.

In relation to the current call charges, the Celtel MD said that his company now has very cheap calls available to users. And as a company they are not only paying tax but are employing hundreds of Sierra Leoneans.

“It is no secret that as a company we are greatly contributing to the nation’s economic development and living up to our social corporate responsibilities,” he said.