In a country plagued by unreliable services, overcoming this challenge is essential. Even having money in Sierra Leone does not guarantee access to necessities like water, electricity, or internet. Service providers may take your money without providing quality services, as prepaid electricity does not guarantee uninterrupted supply. For instance, accessing water from Guma in Freetown is a rare occurrence. In such situations, individuals resort to alternative solutions.
We relied on a local supplier who delivered water from a small dam nearby. The young man constructed a private dam, installed machines and sold water to his neighbours. Despite the high costs, people had no choice but to purchase this water. People will pay for the service if it is available.
Investing in solar power at home was one of my best decisions. The power cut from EDSA coupled with the frequent transformer tripping in our area was becoming so frustrating.
After doing some research into solar, I met a foreign businessman who owns a shop on Siaka Steven Street. He offered instalment payments. I started paying an instalment and completed it and today I have uninterrupted electricity and a reliable power supply. As a result, I can’t tell when the EDSA light is on or off. This demonstrates the value of providing reliable services.
With its promise of high-speed internet via satellite, Starlink presents a disruptive alternative to traditional providers in Sierra Leone. While some providers offer unreliable service and frequent downtime, Starlink’s technology offers faster speeds at a lower cost. Embracing innovative solutions like Starlink could transform the internet landscape in the country. Some providers claim to provide 4G and 5G internet, but their service is less than 3G. Even with fibre, there is frequent downtime. I used the Starlink internet service somewhere, the speed is 10 times faster than the fibre I am currently using. As soon as I purchase mine, I’ll do a full review.
In Sierra Leone, seeking better solutions and alternatives is essential for improving the quality of life. Some mobile companies may claim to offer advanced internet services, but the reality often falls short. With Starlink pioneering advancements in internet technology, service providers must innovate to stay competitive or risk becoming obsolete in the evolving digital landscape.
Feel free to contact me if you need assistance with some of these solutions: Email: murtala@murtalamohamed.com or WhatsApp: +232 31 510579.