The National Communications Authority (NCA), South Sudan’s communications watchdog, has authorised SpaceX’s Starlink to conduct business there.
As anticipated, the action will increase the 12.1% Internet penetration rate now in place and expand services to undeveloped and rural areas. This action aligns with the NCA’s mandate to regulate the ICT and telecom industries.
Clients must register and pay in South Sudanese pounds, equal to the agreed-upon prices in US dollars.
Read also: Starlink sees 10X user growth in Kenya in under a year
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Understanding the Range of Starlink Pricing Plans
Starlink will provide four pricing plans, ranging from $38.19 to $5,005.40 per month, by the communications regulator. The equipment will cost $296.67 for the Standard Kit and $2,502.70 for the Flat High-Performance Kit, respectively.
The NCA has officially approved these rate proposals based on the National Communications Act and the 2016 tariff regulations.
Types of satellite plans
There are four different types of satellite plans: Standard, Priority, Mobile, and Mobile Priority. It is important to remember that statutory fees and related taxes are not included in broadband service rates.
In addition, Starlink intends to designate regional distributors to supervise the provision of its services across the nation. The NCA only recommends importing Starlink equipment through approved wholesalers since this would be against the National Communications Act of 2012’s sections 97 and 98.
It seems that South Sudan has put plans into action to revolutionise its communication services after receiving funding from the Telecom Energy Service Company (TESCO), during which the Finnish development finance institution (FinnFund) determined that the country had one of the lowest rates of mobile access and connectivity worldwide.
African countries Starlink operates.
With its recent debut in Madagascar and licenses obtained in Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, Starlink is rapidly growing throughout Africa. More than nine African nations, including Nigeria, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, and Mauritius, have already seen operations from the satellite provider.
Furthermore, the South African service date remains undetermined per Starlink’s availability map. However, reports show it has been running in South Africa since 2023.
About Starlink
With a low Earth orbit, Starlink is the world’s first and most prominent constellation of satellites that provides broadband internet suitable for online gaming, streaming, video calls, and other activities.
Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency internet to consumers worldwide by utilising cutting-edge satellites, user gear, and our extensive knowledge of spacecraft and on-orbit operations.
Read also: Sierra Leone licences Starlink, becomes 5th African nation on the network
About National Communications Authority (NCA), South Sudan
The National Communications Authority (NCA) is the government agency mandated to regulate and promote the telecommunications and ICT sector of the Republic of South Sudan. It was established by the National Communications Act 2012.
The National Communications Authority (NCA) is a regulatory body in South Sudan responsible for various tasks such as implementing government regulations in communication, authorizing commercial activities, ensuring national commitments in emergency, defense, and security, addressing grievances, controlling communication efforts, ensuring licensed networks are available and compatible, optimizing scarce resources, encouraging the growth of the communication sector, adhering to international and regional agreements, and promoting South Sudan as a global communication role model. Its responsibilities include ensuring equitable fees and consistent service delivery.