South Sudan, Republic of
3.4 South Sudan Telecommunications

The Ministry of Telecommunications and Postal Services (MOTPS) is responsible for the development of the countries telecommunications infrastructure and to oversee and regulate the telecommunications network and service providers. The country has no formal landline telephone network and telecommunications services are provided through satellite and mobile communications networks. Various large international mobile phone providers are present in the country, most urban centers and along major roads have mobile phone coverage. Sim cards are readily available in the market and registration is not required. Mobile Internet is available on all networks however data costs are still relatively high. 

For information on South Sudan Telecommunications contact details, please see the following link: 

4.1 South Sudan Government Contact List

4.11 South Sudan Additional Services Contact List

Telephone Services

Is there an existing landline telephone network?

(Yes / No)

No

 

Does it allow international calls?

(Yes / No)

No

On average, number and length of downtime periods

n/a

Mobile phone providers (List)

MTN, ZAIN, VIVACELL, GEMTELL

Estimated availability and coverage

(Approximate percentage of national coverage)

All major urban centres, surrounding areas and along major roads

Telecommunication Regulation

Currently no formal telecommunications regulations are in place. The Directorate of Spectrum Management is currently responsible for the allocation of frequencies and agreements. The Ministry of Telecommunication and Postal Services (MOTPS) aims to establish a Telecommunications Regulator by 2014 and is currently working with various international actors in this regard.

Regulations

Regulations on usage or import of:

Yes / No

Regulating Authority

Satellite

No 

MOTPS

HF Radio

No 

MOTPS

UHF/VHF/HF radio: handheld, base and mobile

No 

MOTPS

UHF/VHF repeaters

No 

MOTPS

GPS

No 

MOTPS

VSAT

No 

MOTPS

Individual Network Operator Licenses Required
n/a
Frequency Licenses Required
n/a

Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems

The humanitarian communications system is well developed and present with 24 hour staffed radio rooms located in all major state capitals and areas with a permanent humanitarian presence.
The WFP lead Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) has been active in South Sudan since September 2011 following the official separation of South Sudan from Sudan. The aim of the ETC is to improve humanitarian coordination by providing humanitarian agencies the ability to communicate via a stable and secure telecommunications systems in remote areas.

For information on South Sudan  Humanitarian Telecoms Systems additional details, please see the following document: 

Emergency Telecommunications Cluster Provision of ICT Services in South Sudan

Existing UN Telecommunication Systems

Organisations 

UNDP

WFP

UNHCR

UNDSS

UNICEF

OCHA

VHF frequencies

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

HF frequencies

No

Yes

No

Yes

No

No

Repeaters

(Locations)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

VSAT

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

South Sudan is one of the most expensive countries in Africa in terms of Internet usage, with an average retail cost of USD$ 4,000 per megabit via satellite. All licenced service providers use satellite-based V-Sat and WiMax technology as the country has no established fibre optics network, nor is it directly connected to East Africa’s internet fibre-optic networks serviced by The East African Marine Systems (TEAMS), Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System (EASSy) and SEACOM providers.

The Ministry of Telecommunication and Postal Services (MOTPS) plays an oversight function and is in charge of regulating and licencing of local telecommunications companies. Currently there are no national carrier in South Sudan, however the Council of Ministers approved the establishment of a national telecommunications operator in May 2013.

 

Internet Service Providers

Are there ISPs available?

(Yes / No)

 Yes

Private or Government

 Private

Dial-up only (Yes / No)

 No

Approximate Rates

Dial-up:

n/a 

Broadband:

n/a 

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