Juba, South Sudan
July 12, 2021 — South Sudan President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, has today 12th of July 2021 presided over the launch of Digitel Network, a state fully owned mobile network operator.
The Digitel Network is the third mobile operator in South Sudan aimed to facilitate network connectivity in remote areas that were not reached by other mobile phone companies.
According to the presidential press unit, president Kiir announced that Digitel Network has established operations in Rumbek and Pibor Administrative Area and will start operations in other part of the country very soon.
“The installation of mobile service infrastructure is an ongoing process. recently people in Maper, Rumbek North County and Pochalla in Greater Pibor Administrative Area have been connected to mobile network. I have been informed that in three weeks’ time, Boma in Greater Pibor Administrative area and Kuron Peace Village in Kapoeta East County will also be connected to mobile network”., Kiir said at the occasion.
To expedite connectivity in remote areas, president Kiir said the government will explore more favorable options such as tax exemption to ensure importation of network equipment and other telecommunications tools.
“To demonstrate seriousness in the desire to connect rural communities to mobile network, the government will explore options, including tax exemption that will benefit importation of network equipment and other telecommunications tools. This equipment will help increase digital literacy programs to the next generation for Information and communication technology, ICT driven economy. The tax exemption I am proposing will be done in collaboration with national revenue authority to ensure modalities for tax exemption are consistent with its mandate”. President Salva Kiir said.
Kiir also directed the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to coordinate with National Communication Authority to incorporate provisions for Telecommunication infrastructure in all roads design and construction to encourage the goal of extending digital services to many areas in South Sudan.
The Africa’s newest nation has one of the poorest mobile network connection in the world. With many parts of the country lacking mobile networks, the main cities that are connected experience one of the highest rates making calling, especially from abroad, three to four times expensive compared to neighboring countries.
