JUBA – Telecom network MTN South Sudan has announced a partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink company which will enable it to sell the satellite internet kits and subscription service to users all parts of the country.
Since September 2022, the mobile communication operators including MTN have been adjusting service fees to align with fluctuating exchange rates. This, coupled with skyrocketing inflation, has made internet hardly affordable to citizens.
When Starlink launched operations in South Sudan, thousands of internet users dissatisfied with poor and expensive telecom internet, shifted to the fast and affordable satellite internet, leaving MTN, Zain and Digitel struggling to maintain their customers.
But with the new partnership, MTN says it strives to support a national vision of digital penetration and empowerment across South Sudan.
The telecom operator and the American firm first signed the partnership last year, and the deal was subsequently approved by the National Communication Authority (NCA).
“This partnership with Starlink is a game-changer for South Sudan,” said Olutayo Ogunjobi, Head of Enterprise and Business Unit at MTN South Sudan.
“It enables us to connect even the most remote communities with dependable internet access that can transform lives, empower businesses and drive national development.”
The statement underscores that Starlink’s service delivers download speed ranging from 25 to 220 Mbps and latency between 50 and 90 miliseconds.
“This performance supports cloud-based applications, video streaming and other bandwidth-intensive activities, offering a powerful alternative to existing rural connectivity options.”
MTN encourages customers to purchase Starlink kits and subscriptions exclusively through authorized MTN channels to ensure access to uninterrupted service.
