Zain-Sudan launches mobile phone services in Western Equatoria

By Richard Ruati

January 16, 2009 (YAMBIO) – Kuwait-based multinational mobile operator Zain has launched its services in the capital of Western Equatoria today confirming its growing presence in southern Sudan.

The launching ceremony was attended by the State governor, Jemma Nunu Kumba and the WES Deputy Governor and minister of Information and Communications, Joseph Ngere Paciko. Both have welcomed the telecommunication firm which is operating in 14 African nations and 7 countries in the Middle East.

The Project Manager, Edwin Bandima, presented the project insisting on the facilities that Zain Sudan provides to its users. He said ‘One Network’ service will allow mobile customers to make calls and SMS at local rates and receive incoming calls free-of-charge across Sudan and the other 21 countries.

Zain is the second company to operate in the state after Gemtel which works with Ugandan’s code (+256). Currently Zain cover only Yambio and Nzara Counties. It will extend its services to WES’s other counties of Ezo, Tambura, Nagero, Ibba and Mvolo counties in the near future.

Zain Sudan will offer also ultra high-speed internet access and for the first time in WES the ability to make video-calls and use rich multimedia content including the ability to send video clips, music and pictures.

Governor Kumba welcomed Zain and expressed hope that the new operator will contribute to enable the Western Equatoria people to be more close to their relatives inside the country and abroad and to facilitate the economic development in the state.

“The use of mobile telephone in WES should not be for rumor-mongering, gossiping and domestic violence, rather it should for creating harmony and socio-economic livelihood for the people of WES,” she added.

The state minister also praised the quality of services provided by the new operator and invited the traders and farmer to make good use of the services offered by Zain. He also warned “the business community in WES should not cheat the less affluence subscribers when it comes to buying the SIM and airtime cards, they should sale to them at company price.”

Last December, Zain Sudan exceeded five million subscribers in 22 months of commercial service. It was launched in February 2006 by absorbing the former state operator, Mobitel.

(ST)