The five mobile operators in South Sudan should start sharing infrastructures like towers in order to allow a better coverage of the territory.
Telecommunications Deputy Minister Beatrice Khamisa Wani told the press that the ministry met with Vivacell, Gemtel, Zain, MTN and Sudani to study the possibility to share their infrastructures.She said there are many towers in Juba town because each operator wants to install its own equipment, leaving rural areas without network coverage.
Ms Khamisa explained that having a shared infrastructure policy will allow companies to reduce costs.
She explained that the policy of shared infrastructure was introduced in 2008 and it is imbedded in Telecommunication Act due to be passed by the national parliament.
Ms Khamisa revealed that the ministry asked the Zain, MTN and Sudani to separate their networks from Sudan within two weeks and block 150,000 subscribers who have not swapped the 249 Sim cards for the 211 ones.
She said if the operators fail to meet the deadline they will be shut down.
The Deputy Minister said the issue of separating networks is a question of national security and the Ministry of Telecommunications will not compromise.
A Zain engineer explained that some of their subscribers in South Sudan are using Zain Sudan through roaming.
Ms Khamisa said that there are over 400 towers owned by telecommunications companies in South Sudan.