Reading Room - Full Articles

High Rates Limit Net Access in Sudan

Sunday, February 15, 1998: The Tech Channel

AMMAN, (AROL) -- Sudan's sole Internet Service Provider (ISP)started
operations last January. With 300 subscribers, the company does not expect to sign up more than an additional 500 hundred during this year.

The number of beta testers went down from 2,000, an indication of the
very high charges required to access the Internet. The Middle East Times criticized the service for "placing itself out of the market". But as a monopoly, Sudanet does not seem to be worried over consumer satisfaction.

Embassies, NGOs and businesses pay $500 and to subscribe and either $100 or $45 in monthly service fees. Government ministries and universities
pay $345 and $145 respectively to sign up, then $45 per month. Individual subscribers pay $200 to subscribe with monthly service charges of US$40.
In spite of the limited subscription base and high fees, Sudanet does not seem to be worried. In fact, the company says its base of customers will grow, explaining the delay as a result of people's need to amass the needed money.

Sudanet say the lack of awareness about the Internet is the real obstacle. The company aims at tackling the problem by opening Internet cafes in Khartoum. Sudanet is not worried about competition. New ISPs seeking to establish themselves in the country must first obtain the backing and permission of the privatized Sudanese telecommunications company Sudatel. An owner of 35 percent share in Sudanet, Sudatel is unlikely to support new
rivals in the market - at least not before Sudanet reaches its maximum
subscription capacity of 4,000.

 

Last updated on 2/17/98 by Dirk Staatsen

These pages were originally created by Dirk Staatsen and last updated July 19, 2002. Pages are ã Cliff Missen 1994-1999. Please send feedback and updates to intlinet@uiowa.edu