Citizens Urge Network Subscribers to Switch Allegiance to QCell, Blame Africell and Orange SL for Exploiting the Poor
A growing number of mobile users across Sierra Leone are calling on fellow subscribers to switch allegiance to QCell, blaming Africell and Orange SL of exploiting the public through poor services and rising data costs. The development has sparked a national debate on the quality and affordability of telecommunications services in the country.
Many consumers say they are fed up with what they describe as “unfair practices” by the two major telecom companies, including rapid data depletion, inconsistent connectivity, and frequent price increases. They argue that such practices continue to burden low-income users who rely heavily on mobile internet for communication and business.
Over the past few weeks, both Africell and Orange SL have reportedly increased the cost of their data bundles by as much as 30 percent, drawing widespread public criticism. Customers say the move came without proper public notice, leaving many frustrated as they struggle to cope with higher costs for poorer service.
“I can’t continue wasting my money on Africell and Orange,” said Mariatu Kamara, a student in Freetown. “Their data finishes too quickly, and the network is always down. QCell is far more reliable and affordable.” Kamara added that she has since convinced her family and friends to switch to QCell because of its more stable service and reasonable data prices.
Across social media platforms, users have echoed similar frustrations, praising QCell for maintaining affordable data bundles and offering steady network performance. Hashtags such as #SwitchToQCell and #StopExploitation have been trending online as citizens continue to voice their displeasure with the two major providers.
Civil society activists and media analysts say QCell’s growing popularity could significantly reshape Sierra Leone’s telecommunications market if the trend continues. They have also called on the National Telecommunications Authority (NaTCA) to investigate consumer complaints and ensure fair competition among service providers.
Meanwhile, the National Telecommunications Authority (NaTCA) has not yet issued a public statement in response to the mounting complaints. However, telecom observers believe the regulator may soon step in to address the growing public outcry and restore confidence in the industry.
Posts
Post a Comment