19/12/2025
George C Flomo Writes ✍️
"An Open Message to Liberia
Dear Lonestar Cell MTN
I hope this message finds you in a reflective and solution-oriented mindset as a GSM company operating in Liberia, one many Liberians proudly regard as locally rooted.
As a long-standing subscriber of your network, I acknowledge and appreciate the role you continue to play in providing telecommunications services to our country. However, it is with deep frustration that I choose to raise this concern publicly after repeated private efforts have failed to yield any meaningful solution.
Over time, I have made numerous calls to your customer service line and consistently engaged your WhatsApp support regarding a recurring issue. While apologies are often offered, the problem itself remains unresolved, despite your capacity and authority to fix it.
The Issue
I frequently activate data bundles through *500 #, particularly “Surprise of the Day” packages, including the four-day data plan. Unfortunately, each time I purchase these bundles, the duration is repeatedly shortened without justification. For example, a package clearly advertised to last four days is reduced to one or two days. In some cases, I receive an expiration notice within 24 hours of activation.
If I fail to immediately contact customer service, the data simply expires with no resolution. Even when I do reach out, the so-called compensation offered is often insignificant, sometimes barely usable or, in some instances, there is no response at all.
This issue occurred again as recently as this evening: data activated just yesterday was suddenly marked as expiring within 24 hours. A similar incident happened earlier this week, prompting me to warn via WhatsApp that I would no longer continue reminding your system of what appears to be a persistent and avoidable miscalculation.
As a telecommunications company, your systems should accurately record transactions and apply services as advertised. When this fails, customers should not be the ones to suffer the consequences.
Why This Matters
In a country where regulatory oversight may not always be robust, service providers have an even greater responsibility to act transparently and fairly. While I have experienced challenges with multiple networks, I have chosen to highlight this particular issue because mobile data is essential to my daily work, education, and professional responsibilities.
This is not a message of disrespect, but a firm and sincere call for accountability. It is disheartening to subscribe to a data bundle advertised for four or more days, only for it to expire within a single day while the package is technically still valid.
I strongly urge Lonestar Cell MTN to investigate and immediately rectify this recurring issue. Addressing such service inconsistencies would greatly improve customer satisfaction and restore trust.
I hope this situation will not persist and that a clear, lasting solution will be provided.
Respectfully,
George C. Flomo
Liberian | MTN Subscriber
Writer | Educator | Journalist
Cell # 0886-218-813"
