By: Kanto
Kai Okanta
South Sudan has participated
in the third African Preparatory Meeting (APM27-3) in Tunisia, contributing to
regional discussions on telecommunications and spectrum policy ahead of the
2027 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-27).
The National Communication
Authority (NCA) represented South Sudan at the meeting, which was hosted by
Tunisia’s National Frequency Agency and coordinated by the African
Telecommunication Union (ATU). The gathering brought together
telecommunications regulators and industry stakeholders from across Africa to
align regional priorities ahead of WRC-27.
South Sudan’s delegation was
led by Eng. Dut Acol DeDut, Director for Spectrum Management, who also chaired
the East African Communications Organisation (EACO) preparatory group during
the meeting.
Eng. Zamba Leonel, Assistant
Director for Spectrum Planning and Space Services, served as First Rapporteur,
supporting the coordination and documentation of key outcomes from the
assembly.
The strategic discussions
focused on emerging satellite technologies, particularly regulatory
considerations surrounding Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit (NGSO) systems and
Direct-to-Device (D2D) technologies.
These technologies have the
potential to expand connectivity and help bridge digital divides by extending
communications services to remote and underserved communities across South
Sudan and other parts of Africa.
However, participants also
considered the regulatory and policy requirements associated with deploying
these emerging technologies, including frequency coordination, spectrum
governance and the protection of national sovereignty.
