Liberia: the LTA publishes a licensing framework for satellite communications

Operators wishing to transmit or receive signals to terminals located in Liberian territory must obtain a landing rights authorization from the LTA. This authorization can cover terminals installed on aircraft, ships, or vehicles, VSAT stations, and services provided to telecommunications operators already licensed in the country.

The framework distinguishes between geostationary satellites, for which authorization can be granted for ten years, and non-geostationary systems, for which authorization can extend for five years. Applications must notably include the technical characteristics of the system, its coverage area, the target user categories, as well as a plan regarding data routing and cybersecurity.

A separate license is required for terrestrial services using these capacities: satellite gateways, broadband access, collection links, VSAT, audiovisual broadcasting, direct transmission to devices, and managed data services. License holders must also have their equipment certified and have an address or a registered representative in Liberia.

Transparency and monitoring obligations

Authorized providers must keep their technical and operational information updated, maintain a list of entities to which they provide capacity, and communicate their service conditions, pricing, and performance indicators. The text additionally imposes compliance with national rules regarding service quality, consumer protection, data, and security.

Ground segment operators are required to submit quarterly reports to the LTA. These documents must specify the number and distribution of subscribers, active distributors and resellers, technical performance, as well as complaints received and how they were addressed.

The LTA highlights universal access, innovation, and the reduction of barriers to connectivity among the objectives of the framework. Satellite networks can serve locations where deploying fiber optics or mobile networks remains too costly, but their operation is still subject to frequency, licensing, and user protection regulations.

The regulator’s website now presents document LTA-GL-002-2026 as a final version. However, the text specifies that its entry into force is contingent upon its signature and publication in the Official Journal, without indicating on the online copy the date of completion of these formalities.