The Digitel telecommunications company officially launched operations last week in Northern Bahr El Ghazal State for the first time, with authorities saying the move is expected to improve phone services for local communities.
Digitel is the latest telecom operator to enter the area after the South Sudanese government suspended operations and withdrew the licence of Vivacell Telecom in February 2018.
A government source in Northern Bahr El Ghazal State told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that Digitel services had started operating in Aweil Centre County, Aweil South County and Aweil town, with plans to expand to other counties in the near future.
“This is the first time for Digitel Telecommunications Company to operate in Northern Bahr El Ghazal State,” the source said. “The currently active sites are in Barmayen Payam in Aweil Centre County, Malek Alel in Aweil South County and Aweil town municipality, and after that it will extend operations to the rest of the counties in the state in the near future.”
The source said the development would improve telecommunications services for residents and government institutions in the state.
“This is a good step because it will contribute to better telecommunication services for citizens,” the source added. “At this stage, we are congratulating the people of Northern Bahr El Ghazal State on this achievement, which indicates that the state government is performing successfully.”
Maria Amou, a resident of Aweil South County, said the company had already installed a telecommunications tower in Malek Alel and that residents were using the service.
“I have seen that the Digitel Company installed its tower at its headquarters in Malek Alel in Aweil South County,” she said. “It is now operating here, although I have not yet bought a SIM card from them.”
Another resident, James Garang, said the network had been active for several days and that he had purchased a SIM card from the company’s branch in Aweil town.
“Yes, it has been operating for some days now in Aweil town, Aweil South County and Barmayen,” he said. “I recently purchased a SIM card from their branch in Aweil town.”
Company representatives were not immediately available for comment.
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