Liberia Adopts New Regulatory Guidelines for Satellite Communications Services
The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) has published new guidelines regulating the provision of satellite communications services in the country, establishing a comprehensive framework covering both the space and earth segments of satellite operations.
The guidelines apply to both geostationary and non-geostationary satellite service providers operating in Liberia’s terrestrial, maritime, and aeronautical territory.
Landing Rights and Space Segment Requirements
All satellite service providers wishing to transmit and receive signals to and from satellite earth terminals within Liberia must apply for and obtain a Landing Rights Authorisation from the LTA. The authorisation covers services to VSAT terminals and earth station terminals onboard aircraft, ships, and land vehicles on a non-permanent basis not exceeding 90 successive days, and to licensed telecommunications providers, including mobile network operators, internet service providers, and satellite broadband and backhaul service providers.
Notably, the guidelines explicitly prohibit the use of a Landing Rights Authorisation to transmit signals directly to mobile devices for voice or data communications, a restriction with direct implications for emerging Direct-to-Device satellite services.
The LTA sets Landing Rights Authorisation fees at USD 10,000 for geostationary operators, with a 10-year tenure, and USD 5,000 for non-geostationary operators, with a 5-year tenure. Both categories carry a USD 1,000 application fee.
Entities wishing to launch and operate satellites using Liberia as their registered home country must obtain a separate Satellite Network Operator Licence, upon which the LTA will handle coordination and registration with the ITU. Annual licence fees are set at USD 5,000 for geostationary operators and USD 2,500 for non-geostationary operators.
Earth Segment Licensing
Providers of satellite services at the earth segment level, including VSAT, satellite broadband, backhaul, broadcasting, Direct-to-Device, and managed data services, must obtain a Satellite Communications Licence from the LTA. Licensees are required to hold a valid Landing Rights Authorisation and maintain a registered address or agent in Liberia.
The fee structure varies by service type. Satellite Direct-to-Device services carry the most significant financial obligations, with a USD 5,000 application fee, an annual licence fee of USD 250,000 plus 3% of gross annual revenue, an annual regulatory fee of 9% of total D2D voice and data service sales, and a universal access contribution of 0.5% of gross annual revenue. Commercial VSAT services, by contrast, carry an annual licence fee of USD 1,000 plus 3% of gross annual revenue, with a USD 100 application fee.
All earth segment licensees must submit quarterly reports to the LTA covering subscriber distribution across Liberia, current distributors and resellers, technical performance indicators, and customer service complaints and their resolution status.
A Framework Built for Evolution
The guidelines are subject to periodic review and amendment to reflect developments in the satellite sector, international best practices, ITU recommendations, and national policy changes, positioning the framework as a living document rather than a static set of rules. Their entry into force follows publication in the National Gazette.