Telecommunications in South Sudan

Telecommunications in South Sudan
Location	South Sudan

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

Regulation and Policy

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

See also: Telephone numbers in South Sudan and List of mobile network operators in South Sudan

• Calling code: +211
• International call prefix: 00
• Main lines:
• Mobile cellular:
• Domestic:
• Communications cables:
• Satellite earth stations:

Providers

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

• Top-level domain: .ss

Radio and television

Main articles: Television in South Sudan and Radio in South Sudan

• 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

• Media of South Sudan, includes information on radio, television, and newspapers.

References

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. 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. "South Sudan: Media and Telecoms Landscape Guide" (PDF). INFOASAID.