Fujairah to invest EUR25m in South Sudan internet service

The government of Fujairah, one of the seven emirates that form the United Arab Emirates, is investing EUR25 million (USD36.1 million) to launch internet and data services in part of South Sudan, which is expected to become Africa’s newest nation in July 2011 after voting to secede earlier this year. UAE-based newspaper The National reports that the Fujairah Media Group (FMG), which is part-owned by the government, will install a communications hub in the South Sudan state of Central Equatoria, under a partnership with local authorities. Fujairah Investment, the investment arm of the government, is funding the venture. ‘We’ll be putting in a transmission system for wireless data services,’ said Mekki Abdulla, the chief executive of FMG, adding: ‘The funding is coming from Fujairah Investments, which is a shareholder in FMG. It’s all being channelled through FMG.’ The service will initially be geared towards business customers, with plans to subsequently offer services to residential users. FMG is also investing an additional EUR3.5 million to launch TV and radio stations in Central Equatoria. East Communications, a joint venture between FMG and the government of Central Equatoria, will be behind the South Sudan projects.