NatCA DG Brewah Highlights Telecom Sector Challenges and Progress

Amara Brewah, Director General of the National Telecommunications Commission (NATCA), addressed the weekly press briefing organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at the Miatta Conference Hall, Youyi Building, Freetown.

In his remarks, Brewah emphasized the rapidly evolving nature of the telecommunications sector, driven by advancements in technology. He highlighted NATCA’s collaboration with the Ministry of Information on policy and regulatory matters, ensuring that the operational aspects of the sector are managed effectively.

Brewah outlined the commission’s focus on balancing the interests of three key stakeholders: consumers, operators, and the government. He stated that consumers deserve quality service and satisfaction, which is a top priority for NATCA. Simultaneously, operators—who are significant investors in Sierra Leone’s telecommunications infrastructure—must feel incentivized to sustain and expand their investments. He stressed the importance of a regulatory environment that fosters consumer satisfaction, supports innovation, and builds investor confidence, ensuring operators remain committed to delivering services in the country.

Technological Evolution and Regulatory Challenges
Addressing the challenges of regulating such a dynamic sector, Brewah explained that NATCA regularly reviews its policies and regulations to adapt to emerging technologies. He cited the transition from 2G to 5G networks as an example of the ongoing technological shifts requiring updated regulatory frameworks. NATCA’s mandate, he reiterated, is to protect consumers, ensure fair competition among operators, and promote technological progress.

Service Quality and Infrastructure Issues
Brewah acknowledged persistent complaints from consumers regarding dropped calls and poor network quality. He attributed these issues to technical challenges such as tower connectivity and inadequate infrastructure, which NATCA is actively working to address. He reassured the public that NATCA engages operators regularly to ensure compliance with service quality standards.

On infrastructure challenges, he noted that the placement of network towers sometimes results in coverage gaps, causing connectivity issues. NATCA collaborates with operators to resolve such problems, ensuring tower placements align with regulatory requirements while enhancing service delivery. He also highlighted the impact of inconsistent power supply on network performance, explaining that operators often face difficulties maintaining power to their equipment.

Despite some delays in operators meeting deadlines for infrastructure upgrades, Brewah expressed optimism about the progress being made. He emphasized NATCA’s commitment to resolving these issues and urged operators to remain accountable to their obligations under the regulatory framework.

Commitment to a Better-Connected Sierra Leone
In closing, Brewah reiterated NATCA’s dedication to improving telecommunications services in Sierra Leone. He called on all stakeholders—consumers, operators, and the government—to work together toward building a better-connected nation.