You will pay more for calls, data from tonight as second tariff adjustment takes effect

Calls, internet, and mobile bundle tariffs are set to increase again from tonight as telecom operators implement the second phase of the Tariff Exchange Rate Adjustment approved by the National Communication Authority.

The new adjustment was announced on Sunday in a joint statement by the three mobile network operators — MTN, Zain, and Digitel.

The implementation follows the first phase of the adjustment, which the companies introduced in June.

The operators said the adjustment is aimed at supporting the sustainability of telecommunications services amid rising operational costs in the sector.

According to the statement, the latest adjustment follows consultations with government institutions, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Civil Society Organizations, and other relevant stakeholders.

The telecom companies said the adjustment is intended to address increasing operational costs facing the telecommunications sector, including rising energy prices, inflation, and the depreciation of the South Sudanese Pound (SSP).

The statement said the adjustment will also help address limited access to foreign currency for infrastructure maintenance and upgrades, as well as the need for continued investment in modern network technologies.

The operators clarified that the Tariff Exchange Rate is not a tariff increase, saying the underlying telecommunications tariffs remain unchanged.

According to the companies, the adjustment aligns the tariff exchange rate with prevailing economic conditions and supports the continued delivery of reliable telecommunications services across South Sudan.

During the implementation of the first phase in June, the Director of the National Communication Authority, General Rizig Dominic, said the measure was the minimum required to help operators absorb part of the exchange rate gap and avoid disruptions to services, particularly in remote areas.

The telecom companies are expected to implement a third phase of the Tariff Exchange Rate Adjustment.