South Sudan increases mobile data rate by 100 percent

JUBA – South Sudan National Communications Authority (NCA) has announced a rollout of new tariff rates for telecommunication companies operating in South Sudan which will see an increment of mobile data tariffs by 100 percent.

Napoleon Adok Gai Director General said tariff rates of 1 US dollar for mobile network operators will be adjusted to the current central bank rate of 600 pounds.

“National Communication Authority is announcing 90 days rollout of tariffs exchange rate adjustment. Over the past five months, network operators submitted several requests to review current tariffs exchange rate of 300 SSP against 1 U.S dollars,” Gai said in a statement issued on Thursday.

Gai said the Authority has been reluctant to increase the rate due to the suffering of the people of South Sudan.

“Understanding the suffering of people of South Sudan due to global inflation, NCA has been reluctant to adjust the tariffs exchange rates,” Gai said.

Gai said the increase in the rate come with a new demand to improve network coverage by providing quality services.

“Our attempt to control the current exchange rate at 300 SSP to the dollar was unsustainable for the Mobile Network Operators (MNO) because we are demanding them to provide quality network coverage across the country,” he said.

He said the adjustment will enable network operators to provide affordable services to the citizens.

“The Authority, in the exercise of section 63 of National Communication Authority Act 2012 and its associated regulation found it necessary to adjust the exchange rate once again to enable business continuity for MNOs while keeping communication services affordable for people of South Sudan.”

He said the adjustments to the cost of mobile telecommunication service rates will see a gradual increase to match the current exchange rate at the Bank of South Sudan.

“To ensure that the new exchange rate is rollout in a pocket-friendly process, the Authority has come up with a scaling modality that will be implemented within 90-days starting from 15th September to 15 December 2022,” he said.