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Telecommunications in South Sudan

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Telecommunications in South Sudan
LocationSouth Sudan

Telecommunications in South Sudan includes fixed and mobile telephones, the Internet, radio, and television.[1]

Regulation and Policy

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The National Communication Authority (NCA) was established under the communications Act of 2012.[2][3] The NCA was established to oversee licensing, spectrum allocation, and pricing regulation within South Sudan's telecommunications and ICT sector.[3]

In April 2024, the NCA issued a 30-day ultimatum for all unlicensed satellite service providers operating in the country to register for compliance, warning that failure to do so could result in legal enforcement actions, including fines or equipment seizure.[3]

In mid‑2024, following two years of negotiations, the NCA granted Starlink (SpaceX’s satellite internet provider) a Satellite Landing Rights License and a Provisional Service License, marking a major milestone in the country’s telecom regulation.[4][5] The regulator subsequently approved official tariffs for Starlink services, structuring four pricing tiers (ranging from $38.19 to $5,005.40 monthly) aligned with demand and affordability goals, and mandated local distribution through officially licensed agents.[6][7]

Telephone

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Providers

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Operator/service provider Date of licence Technology Network Capacity Country wide Coverage Subscribers Operation Status
Zain South Sudan 1 October 2011 GSM/UMTS/4G LTE unknown unknown 1,050,000 Operational
MTN South Sudan 1 October 2011 GSM/UMTS/4G LTE unknown unknown 1,700,000 Operational
Gamtel South Sudan 1 October 2011 GSM unknown unknown unknown Stopped
Vivacell 1 October 2011 GSM/UMTS 2 Millions unknown unknown Suspended in 2018
Digitel 13 July 2021 GSM/UMTS/4G LTE unknown unknown unknown Operational

Internet

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Radio and television

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  • Radio: Radio is the main source of news and information in South Sudan. Since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005, over 30 FM radio stations have been set up across the country with the encouragement of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) run government. Radio networks and stations are run and funded by Government, Churches, community organizations, international NGOs and private businesses.[8]
  • Radio sets:
  • TV: The government-run SSBC TV is based in Juba. It is the only functioning television station in the country. The SSBC TV broadcasts six hours a day in English and Arabic and can also be viewed on Satellite. The station runs a few small local TV stations in Aweil, Wau, Malakal and Rumbek. South Africa provides training for SSBC TV staff.[8]
  • TV sets:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "National Communication Authority | Communication Authority of South Sudan". NCA SSD. Retrieved 2025-08-05.
  2. ^ "Overview of NCA". NCA SSD. Retrieved 2025-08-05.
  3. ^ a b c admin@juba (2024-04-03). "The Juba Mirror". Retrieved 2025-08-05.
  4. ^ Team, Editorial (2024-07-15). "South Sudan Partners with Starlink for Affordable National Internet Access". TechAfrica News. Retrieved 2025-08-05.
  5. ^ Goor, Akuot (2024-06-28). "Government approves licensing of Musk's Starlink internet service". The Dawn Newspaper. Retrieved 2025-08-05.
  6. ^ "South Sudan's communications regulator approves Starlink". 2024-07-18. Retrieved 2025-08-05.
  7. ^ "South Sudan unveils approved Starlink tariffs". www.connectingafrica.com. Retrieved 2025-08-05.
  8. ^ a b "South Sudan: Media and Telecoms Landscape Guide" (PDF). INFOASAID.