Zain Launches GSM Network in Southern Sudan

Sudan's Mobitel - now a part of Kuwait based Zain has launched a GSM network in Southern Sudan, having deployed 50 base stations in the main urban areas. The company plans to spend US$150 million over the next few years on its network.

Mobitel has spent over US$500 million on its Sudan network - although the bulk of the expenditure has been in the North of the country.

Southern Sudan is recovering from a long running civil war with the North and as part of the peace process the region has a high level of autonomy from the central government and a referendum on independence is expected in 2011. The political uncertainty has hampered economic investments in the region.

Southern Sudan is also currently still using the international dialing code for Uganda to route most calls - although the Sudan government is applying pressure for the transitional government in Southern Sudan to prevent this.

Figures from the Mobile World report that Sudan ended last year with an estimated 8.2 million mobile subscribers - representing a population penetration level of just over 19%.

Posted to the site on 28th April 2008