Napoleon Adok Gai, Director-General of National Communication Authority. (Photo: NCA).

The Director-General of the National Communication Authority has said the government has taken note of the public outcry resulting from costly internet and mobile communication networks, saying they are working to ensure valuable service.

In a statement posted on the NCA’s social media page, Adok said they have embarked on reviewing the operation and costing of telecommunication services.

“I have taken note of the public outcry in regard to the cost of Telecommunications services while QoS (Quality of Service) remain very poor in some areas,” he said.

“NCA has embarked on reviewing the operation and costing of services by all operators to ensure that people get value for their money.”

On November 17, the two leading telecommunication companies – Zain and MTN implemented the final increment of data tariff rates effective as of November 15 2022.

The readjustment of mobile tariff rates in line with the Central Bank Exchange Rate – has made South Sudan the country with the highest internet cost in the region.

The cost of one gigabyte for mobile internet in South Sudan is currently at 7 U.S. dollars (4,370 SSP), while it only costs an average of 0.84 U.S. dollars in neighboring Kenya, 0.75 U.S. dollars in the Sudan and 1.32 US dollars in Uganda.

The decision which has now doubled mobile internet and voice bundles from September rate – has left the public moaning as many say they can no longer afford to telecommunication.

In response to prominent cartoonist Adija Acuil’s depiction of the NCA as sleeping while mobile telecommunication defraud the country, Director-General Adok called the cartoon a misrepresentation of the reality.

“Two days ago a cartoon captured a public opinion depicting NCA as sleeping while the public is being looted. I would like to use this platform to correct that misrepresentation of NCA’s work. We are not sleeping anywhere, we are more than awake on your behalf,” Napoleon said in a tweet posted by the NCA.

“Two days ago a cartoon depicted NCA as sleeping while the public is being looted. I would like to use this platform to correct that misrepresentation of NCA’s work. We are not sleeping anywhere , we are more than awake on your behalf. #RuralConnectivity #ConnectingSSD #SSOT

— National Communication Authority NCA (@NcaSsd) November 19, 2022