Juba – Torit National Fiber Backbone (Phase I)
In line with its National Fiber Infrastructure License issued by the National Communications Authority, Nile Cable and Towers Limited (NCT South Sudan) successfully delivered its first large-scale fiber backbone project between 2022 and 2023, establishing a high-capacity digital corridor from Juba to Torit.
This landmark deployment marked Phase I of NCT’s broader national digital backbone strategy, designed to interconnect major cities, enable reliable broadband access, and position South Sudan as a regional connectivity hub.
Project Overview
- Route: Juba – Torit
- Total Length: 135 km
- 128 km Underground deployment
- ~7 km Aerial deployment
- Additional Works: 4 km Underground Metro Fiber Expansion within Torit
- Network Type: Carrier-grade Backbone & Metro Access Network
- Operational Readiness: Fiber completed and ready for service since September 2024
- Ownership: Fully owned and operated by NCT South Sudan
Technical Scope & Infrastructure Design
The project was engineered as a future-ready, scalable backbone infrastructure, ensuring long-term sustainability and expansion capacity.
Underground Deployment
- Installation of dual HDPE duct system along the entire backbone route:
- Duct 1: Installed with 72-core single-mode fiber optic cable
- Duct 2: Reserved empty duct for future fiber expansion and redundancy
- Standard burial depth of 1.2 meters, ensuring:
- Mechanical protection
- Long-term durability
- Reduced risk of accidental damage
- Use of advanced fiber blowing techniques for cable installation to:
- Minimize cable stress
- Improve installation efficiency
- Enhance long-term performance
Aerial Deployment
Approximately 7 km of aerial fiber was deployed in areas where underground installation was not feasible. This ensured continuity of the backbone while maintaining structural integrity and performance standards.
Civil Works & Machinery Deployment
Given the terrain challenges and the strategic importance of the corridor, NCT mobilized a full fleet of heavy-duty machinery, including:
- Heavy trenching machines
- Excavators
- Backhoes
- Motor graders
- Light trenchers
- Support and compaction equipment
All civil works were executed under strict engineering supervision, maintaining alignment accuracy, trench depth compliance, and environmental considerations.
River & Road Crossings
Each crossing incorporated additional protection mechanisms, including reinforced ducting and structural safeguards to ensure resilience against erosion, traffic loads, and environmental stress.
Special attention was given to crossings of:
- Major and minor rivers
- National and state roads
- Urban road infrastructure
Regulatory Compliance & Right of Way (ROW)
For the execution of this strategic infrastructure project, NCT:
Secured all necessary licenses and regulatory approvals
Obtained official Right of Way (ROW) permissions
Coordinated with local authorities and stakeholders along the entire route
This ensured smooth execution and long-term legal protection of the infrastructure corridor.
Torit Metro Expansion
In addition to the backbone deployment, NCT expanded the Torit Metro Network by approximately 4 km (underground), enabling:
Direct connection of enterprise clients
Access for government institutions
Capacity for ISPs and telecom operators
Scalable broadband services within Torit town
This metro extension serves as the foundation for local digital transformation and enterprise connectivity.
Commercialization & Service Readiness
The network has been fully completed, tested, and is operational since September 2024. NCT offers the infrastructure in both:
Dark Fiber Leasing – For operators requiring full control over their transmission equipment
Lit Fiber / Managed Bandwidth Services – For clients seeking ready-to-use capacity
NCT has already commenced leasing capacity to Digitel South Sudan, marking the first commercial utilization of this national backbone segment.
Strategic Impact
This Juba–Torit backbone represents:
- The first major privately developed national fiber corridor under NCT’s infrastructure strategy
- A critical step toward nationwide fiber interconnection
- A backbone capable of supporting:
- Mobile network operators
- ISPs
- Government networks
- Financial institutions
- Enterprise and data center connectivity
By deploying dual-duct infrastructure with reserved expansion capacity, NCT ensured that this project is not just a connectivity solution for today, but a scalable digital highway for decades to come.