ICT and Telecom Sector in South Sudan

South Sudan became an independent state in July 2011 and is a member state of the African Union and
a member state of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.

The country is still in the process of building its economy, there is already a significant amount of activity
within the country’s ICT sector, particularly efforts to expand broadband connectivity and mobile
services.

The telecommunications industry is still very much in development and this is expected to lead to
increased competition for the country’s growing mobile consumer base.

Regulatory Framework

Ministry of higher education, research science and technology

The Ministry has a mandate to implement policies, plans, programs, and general coordination of higher
education, science and technology in tertiary institutions in the Republic of South Sudan

Functions

 Equitable access to tertiary institutions in South Sudan

 Improve and expand infrastructures of existing HEIs
 Develop effective and efficient management system and service deliver in HEIs
 Solicit funding to manage HEIs in South Sudan
 Promote private sector and bilateral donors investment in tertiary education
 Establish a legal and policy framework for higher education institutions
 License private HEIs and evaluate programs
 Align HEI operated by other line Ministries
 Ensure that HEIs meet national, regional and global market demands
 Promote research, science and technological innovation and skills transfers for national, regional
and global development
 Strengthen cultural ties through partnerships and bilateral donors.

Ministry of telecommunications and postal services

The mandate of the Ministry is to formulate, coordinate and implement national policies, plans and
programs in the communications sector including postal services, Telecommunications and information
Technology.

Functions:
The Ministry of Telecommunications and Postal Services performs the following functions and duties:

 Formulation and implementation of telecommunications for South Sudan.

 Management of air waves spectrum through frequencies allotment including specified bands for
radio and television.
 Regulate and license local telecommunications operators.
 Regulation of public and private “Very Small Aperture Terminal” linkages.
 Supervision of South Sudan telecommunication networks roll-out plans.
 Promote and manage the communications technology sector.
  Encourage and support communications technology research and development.
 Promote regional and international collaboration and coordination in the telecommunications
sector.
 Establish standards and regulations for the importation of telecommunication equipment and
devices.
 Regulate and license Internet Service Providers.
 Develop and execute an e-government strategy.
 Formulate and implement a South Sudan postal services policy.
 Regulate and license local telecommunications operators.
 Supervise postal services to ensure delivery service.
 Promotion of efficiency and security in the regional and international postal networks.
 To oversee the establishment of telecommunications networks in the ten States; and
 To promote public-private partnerships to provide telecommunications services to population
centres on a profit making basis.

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

The ministry functions as the mouthpiece of the government having the mandate to disseminate
government press releases, press statements, and organization of public education campaigns. The
ministry also organizes public events that engage the people of South Sudan in dialogue with their
government and offer independent media outlets with opportunities to cover government activities.

National Telecommunication Council (NTC)

Telecommunications within South Sudan are regulated by the National Telecommunication Council
(NTC) established in 1996.

Telecommunications Policy
Government’s policy is to ensure equitable and easy access to telecommunication services by the
citizens of South Sudan.
Optic Fibre in South Sudan

South Sudan plans link to fibre-optic Internet facility in 2013 and the aim is link the capital Juba
with submarine cables in East Africa. South Sudan is one of the most expensive countries in
Africa for Internet use. The average retail price of Internet bandwidth via satellite is currently
around $4,000 per megabit (MB). The government wants to cut that cost by reducing reliance
on satellite bandwidth by connecting to the submarine cable
South Sudan is now doing a feasibility study on whether to connect with marine cables in
Djibouti in the Red Sea or Kenya’s Indian Ocean port of Mombasa
The country has four main mobile operators offering Internet: South Africa’s MTN, Kuwait’s
Zain, Vivacell and Gemtel.
Constructions of fibre-optic cables will more than have Internet prices and make it twice as fast

Internet service Providers in South Sudan

Name Location

Bilpam Internet Tongping Business CenterJuba, South SudanTel:

+211 957104001/+211 977104001

Voda Network System Bross CampJuba, South SudanTel: +211

955190335/+211 928199972/+211 977312975

Sahan Net Airport Business CenterTel: +211

955815911/+211 925572444

Unique Internet Services Hai Maya Plot No. 107Juba, South SudanTel:
+211 977123484

Juba Auto Company Ltd Plot 76 Block No.111 Industrial Area jebel
KujurJuba, South Sudan

Centron Satcom Ltd Hai MalakalJuba, South SudanTel: +211 927

329809sales@centronsatcom.com
Main Operators in the Telecom sector in South Sudan
The following main private sector operators are responsible for the efficient land and mobile
telephone communication system including internet and other related services that enhances
the economic development of South Sudan;

Name Contacts

Sudatel P.O.BOX 11155Juba, South SudanTel: +249183797400

MTN Hai JalabaJuba, South SudanTel: +249 924131046/

+256 477148568

Zain Ltd TongpingJuba, South SudanTel: +211 912324540

Vivacell Plot 30 May AvenueP.O. Box 2257Juba, South

SudanTel: +211959606000
www.vivacell.sd

Gemtel Ltd Hai SukJuba, South SudanTel: +211 (0)

977100001/+211 977100076