South Sudan is collaborating with mobile network operators to tackle what it perceives as excessive fees imposed by mobile and internet service providers.
Ateny Wek Ateny, the newly appointed Minister of Information, Communication Technology, and Postal Services, has pledged to alleviate the financial strain on consumers. This commitment was reinforced during a Thursday meeting with Philippe Hanna, Zain’s CEO, in Juba. During the conference, the minister expressed concern about the high costs of internet and communication services in the country.
“The internet is a human right,” Ateny emphasised. “The people of South Sudan deserve affordable rates that allow them to communicate and gain access to the myriad benefits offered by internet services, particularly in education and business.”
He also noted, “Lowering internet and communication costs is crucial, as the mobile and internet service providers serve a market of over 5 million users in South Sudan.”
Earlier this week, the minister addressed similar issues with MTN South Sudan, the country’s leading mobile network operator. “Internet services and data are prohibitively expensive, leaving the public struggling to communicate,” he remarked during that discussion.
Despite the challenges posed by years of civil conflict, South Sudan’s telecommunications sector is making progress, though rising service costs remain a significant concern.
