Zain Sudan, formerly known as Mobitel, is a prominent mobile phone operator in Sudan and part of the Zain Group, a Kuwaiti multinational telecommunications company. The company was established in 1996 and launched its commercial activities in February 1997, initially serving Greater Khartoum with a GSM network. This launch marked Sudan as the fourth country in North Africa to offer mobile services. Initially, Zain Sudan was a joint-stock company with shares held by Sudan Telecommunications Company Ltd. (Sudatel) and other shareholders, including Celtel. In 2006, the Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) fully acquired Zain Sudan as part of its strategy to expand from a local to a regional and then a global telecom entity. This acquisition helped Zain consolidate its position as a leading mobile operator in Sudan. In 2011, a significant portion of the network split to form Zain South Sudan following the country's independence.
Country
Sudan
Type
Mobile Network Operator
Zain Logo

3G Network

Zain Sudan launched its 3G services in 2008, becoming one of the first operators in the country to offer high-speed mobile data services. The 3G network was initially deployed using the 2100 MHz frequency band, providing enhanced data services and better connectivity for its users. Over the years, Zain Sudan continued to expand and upgrade its 3G network to cover more areas and improve service quality. By 2013, Zain had upgraded its 3G network to support HSPA+ technology, offering speeds of up to 21 Mbps.

Network Frequency Band Status
B1 (2100 MHz)
Active
B8 (900 MHz)
Active
Date Event Subtype
Launch of 3G Network
Launch

4G Network

Zain Sudan was the first operator to commercially launch 4G services in the country on April 27, 2016. The launch included nearly 300 sites, with plans to extend coverage to 21 other cities by the end of the year. The initial phase of the rollout saw Zain partnering with Ericsson to extend 4G coverage to key cities, including Khartoum, Medani, Port Sudan, and El Obeid. The subsequent phase involved expanding 4G services to additional regional centers in collaboration with Huawei. The 4G network utilized the 1800 MHz frequency band, providing enhanced mobile broadband services and improving the overall mobile experience for users. Zain's 4G network rollout was supported by the acquisition of a 4G license in February 2016, which allowed the company to invest in technology and infrastructure development. The introduction of 4G services was a significant milestone for Zain Sudan, marking the first time mobile broadband technology was available in the country.

4G Frequency Bands
Network Frequency Band Max. Channel Bandwidth Status Known EARFCNs
B3 (1800 MHz)
20
Active
1848
Date Event Subtype
Launch of 4G Network
Launch