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Telecommunications

Overview

The National Communication Authority offers concession, authorization, and registration permits for the operation of any kind of telecommunications services, including the use of spectrum, network or bandwidth to companies, organisations and different stakeholders within the Republic of South Sudan. 

Telecommunication

  1. The Authority monitors performance of all networks and ICT clients. This includes Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Mobile Operators (MBOs).
  2. The Authority monitors fibre optic sites, 2G, 3G and 4G internet sites.
  3. Offers advisory services to ensure proper allocation of ICT products and services in the various civil populations across the Republic of South Sudan.
  4. Works closely with ISPs to ensure operationalization of internet exchange points.
  5. Monitors local tariffs and localization of local content to reduce the latency, and investment costs.
  6. Hosts government and private companies in the NCA Data Center to ease the Authority’s monitoring of ISP and MBO networks’ performance.
    • The Data Centre helps the NCA to monitor two ISPs, especially the two optical fibre companies, in order to assign bandwidth in case of a network degradation.
    • The Data Centre bears Revenue Assurance Systems designed and connected to MBOs which are structured to calculate revenue generated from both voice and data.

Mobile Phone Services

Mobile services have the potential to positively affect sustainable development, being an instrumental tool in the reduction of information gaps and empowerment of individuals. The NCA ensures that policymakers and other stakeholders are aware of the factors that influence creation, implementation, and augmentation of mobile services.

The Authority currently collaborates with 24 active internet service providers (ISPs) namely: Zain, MTN, and the newly launched Digital Mobile Operators.

Through the Data Operation Center, the NCA monitors the operation of all networks, for instance 2G, 3G and 4G sites. The Authority further advises ISPs on service allocation to ensure that all civil populations are attended to in an equal and equitable manner.

Annual License Fees for Media Houses

These are the annual operational licence fees for the different categories of media houses, as stated in the South Sudan Financial and Management Act. Government media houses operate freely.

Community, religious radios and print media houses pay 100,000 SSP per annum. Commercial FMs categorised into Small FMs, Middle FMs and Major FMs pay different fees. However, the majority of commercial FMs in South Sudan are under the Small FMs category, and pay 150,000 SSP annually.

DOMAIN

The dot SS Domain Name, also known as the Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD), refers to the two-letter code (ss) that uniquely identifies South Sudanese on the Internet. A dot SS Domain Name allows Internet users to acquire a South Sudanese identity in cyberspace.

Currently, the Dot SS Domain Name Registry services are administered by the National Communication Authority (NCA). The Authority is the trustee on the Dot SS ccTLD, on behalf of the Government of South Sudan.

SS is the designated country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for South Sudan in the Domain Name System of the Internet. It is derived from the ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code for South Sudan, which is SS. According to CIO East Africa, the TLD was allocated on 10 August 2011 following the country’s declaration of independence from Sudan.The TLD was registered on 31 August 2011, but not added to the DNS root zone and was thus not operational. It was approved at the ICANN Board meeting on 27 January 2019 and was added to the DNS root zone on 2 February 2019.

Overview: A Country-Code Top-Level Domain provides a unique opportunity for citizens and businesses to engage in the development of national and local online content and digital infrastructure.

Registry Operational Model: The registry is using a 3R model. When registering the domain, there are always three parties involved: the registry, registrar, and registrant. As explained below:

  1. Registry: The registry is responsible for the overall administration of a top-level domain (TLD). They set the policies for the domain, manage the registration and generate the zone file. In this case NCA as the registry for the ss domain name.
  2. Registrar: The registrar is the middleman. It is an accredited organisation that registers a domain with registry, on behalf of the registrants.
  3. Registrants: The registrant is the registered name holder of a domain. This person or entity owns the right to use the domain for their website and email, as long as they pay for the domain fees every year.

Interconnection

Interconnection between Networks

A Licensee shall connect their communication networks with other Licenced communication networks or equipment for use in accordance with interconnection rules specified by the Authority and in the Licensees’ own interparty coordination agreements.

Obligations of the Dominant Operator

The dominant operator shall comply with the following requirements:

  1. Offer services to other parties with transparency and without discrimination;
  2. Enable the Authority to access his or her premises or facility for monitoring performance to ensure fair dealing with all interested parties; and
  3. Other obligations as shall be specified by regulations issued under the National Communication Act.

Bases and Principles of Interconnection

Public communication network Licensees shall offer interconnection services to other operators and service providers on the following basis and shall comply with the following guiding principles:

  1. Not discriminate between the operators;
  2. Offer technically feasible interconnection points;
  3. Offer services according to an established public interconnection offer;
  4. Offer equitable interconnection services in accordance with unified cost-based charges or on the basis of equitable wholesale charges; and
  5. Provide services on the dates as specified in prevailing interconnection agreements.

Obligations of Interconnection Parties

The communication operator and public service providers in the field of interconnection shall comply with the following requirements:

  1. Abide by the rules and directives issued by the Authority and other requirements set forth in National Communication Act and applicable regulations;
  2. Cooperate with other operators to enhance current capabilities, future plans for expansion and modernization of networks; including technical specifications and data needed for efficient and effective interconnection arrangement;
  3. Establish interconnection agreements with other operators on nondiscriminatory basis to be approved by the Authority and made available to other operators as necessary;
  4. Identify a unit within the organisation responsible for matters related to interconnection services;
  5. Prepare a Reference Interconnection Offer in accordance with guidelines provided by the Authority;
  6. Provide interconnection services at points specified in the regulations;
  7. Respond to requests from Licensed operators and service providers as specified in the regulations.

The interconnection parties shall reach agreement within a period of not more than two months from commencement of the negotiation.

In the event of failing to reach agreement within the two months’ period, the parties shall notify the Authority which shall take appropriate steps to mediate between the parties and assist them towards a binding resolution.

Withdrawal or Cessation of Interconnection Services

A Licensee of a public network shall not withdraw or terminate interconnection services from other Licenced operators except under the following specific conditions:

  1. Where the Licenced operator causes or is likely to cause substantial damages to the public communication network;
  2. Where the Licensee violated the terms of contract signed between them;
  3. When a judicial order has been issued for withdrawal or cessation of the interconnection service.

The Licensee shall notify the Authority at least fifteen days prior to cessation or withdrawal of interconnection services and shall provide supporting justification and related documents the Authority might use to settle underlying interconnection issues.

Infrastructure Sharing

Below are the terms by which interested parties shall engage in infrastructure sharing;

  1. Licensed operators shall share their infrastructure on the basis of commercial agreements entered into with each other.
  2. The types of infrastructure sharing and related policies, guidelines and conditions for each service type shall be prescribed by regulations.
  3. Where a dispute arises in respect of an Infrastructure sharing agreement or where an operator refuses to share their infrastructure, the Authority may take steps to resolve the dispute and its decision in such an event shall be final.
  4. Notwithstanding the provision of subsection (1) of this section of the National Communication Act, the Authority shall direct operators to share their infrastructure where it is in the public interest to do so.

Anti-Competitive Practices

  1. A Licensee shall not engage in anti-competitive practices and shall desist from participating in the prohibited activities that are specified in the regulations issued under the National Communication Act.
  2. The Authority shall take necessary measures to restrain anti-competitive practices by Licensees according to regulations issued pursuant to the National Communication Act.