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The mobile operator Zain will be forced to shut down its coverage in the whole of Upper Nile State if it fails to meet the deadline to use the international code of South Sudan in the whole country.
Telecommunication and Postal Services Minister Madut Biar Yel told journalists that the five mobile operators Vivacell, Gemtel, MTN, Zain and Sudani were given two weeks to disconnect direct links to Khartoum, configure the +211 country code and block +249 still in use in border areas.He said measures will be taken against the networks which delay the separation of international codes.
Mr Biar added that Zain, MTN and Sudani still have some stations near the border connected to their networks in Sudan operating with +249 international code.
He said the ministry refused to extend the deadline to Zain that has more than 40 stations connected with Sudan in Upper Nile.
The minister added that Sudani and MTN were still connected to the Sudan especially in the border areas of Agok and Abyei.
A local source told CRN that MTN turned off it station of Agok to meet the demands of the ministry.
Traders were still selling MTN Sim cards and airtime from Sudan that do not work anymore.