Liquid Telecom is set to implement and operate South Sudan's first fibre broadband network, connecting the young nation to the 'One Africa' broadband network, its senior official said.
Sam Nkusi, the company’s chairman for East and Central Africa said Liquid Telecom’s entry would ensure that reliable and affordable internet connectivity is available for South Sudanese.
“We provide services below in fibre, around you in wireless and above you in satellite. I am happy that South Sudan is joining the family,” said Nkusi during the company’s launch in Juba on Monday.
He added, “Within a period of less than three months, South Sudan will be connected to the East African family. You will no longer feel that you are 13 million people; you will be part of the 300 million.”
Nkusi pointed out that the telecom company currently runs the largest data center in Africa, connecting up to 300 million people in Africa.
He requested South Sudan government to provide the maximum facilitation they require for the company to effectively operate.
“If you facilitate us, instead of three months, we shall surprise you and do it within two months. We do 60km in five days,” he stressed.
For his part, South Sudan’s Information Minister, Michael Makuei said the young nation has not been connected to the rest of the world.
“We are not connected to the world and international community but this time around, South Sudan will be connected to other countries,” he said.
Makuei said government would ensure Juba gets reliable internet.
“We will move vigorously to ensure that our people are connected within this year in Juba and by the next year, all the states across the country will have access to internet,” he stressed.
The first phase of the agreement signed between South Sudan's National Communication Authority and Liquid Telecom will include a 300km fibre backbone operating from the border of Uganda, through South Sudan, to Juba, according to the telecom company.
“This first phase is scheduled to go live in the last quarter of 2019,” it said, adding that the network would be expanded to other cities in subsequent phases to support the country's 13 million people.
A leading communications solutions provider in 13 African countries, Liquid Telecom serves mobile operators, carriers, enterprises, media and content companies and retail customers with high-speed connectivity and digital services.