Liberian regulator addresses short code assignment issues

The Acting Board of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) has signed two major regulations which, it argues, are aimed at enhancing opportunities for many Liberians, including entrepreneurs, and will improve service quality and government revenue.

The first is a Numbering Regulation, which provides a framework for efficient allocation, assignment, utilisation, and management of all telecommunication numbers, including short codes, throughout the nation in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.

The problem, according to chairperson Abdullah L Kamara, is that all short codes have been assigned through mobile network operators who had complete control over whom they assigned numbers to and how much they would charge, without any regulation.

The Numbering Regulation dictates that LTA alone will allocate, assign, and manage the delegation of all short codes, providing equal access to all applicants on a first-come, first-served basis with basic requirements.

The regulation sets out specific categories and fees for three-digit-to-six-digit short codes with provisions for toll-free, premium, and other specially assigned numbers. There will be no exclusive, perpetual rights to numbers.

Another regulation, the VAS Regulation, sets forth the criteria for fair market cost-based access for short code businesses to reach their customers through MNOs. Given that MNOs have the networks and short code businesses don’t, the VAS Regulation mandates that MNOs provide this access to their customer base.

Other arrangements related to management of numbering resources and determination of numbering authorisation fees are also being discussed.

The LTA has certainly been busy lately. As we reported in July, it introduced a new set of regulations designed to empower fintech companies and foster a more competitive mobile market.