MTN South Sudan Roaming and International Calls
The basics
To call abroad from MTN South Sudan, dial the plus sign, the country code and the number. To use your line abroad, ask MTN about roaming before you travel, because it must be switched on and priced for your destination.
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How to dial an international number
| 1 | Open the dialer and press and hold 0 until a plus sign appears. |
| 2 | Type the country code of the place you are calling, such as 254 for Kenya or 256 for Uganda. |
| 3 | Type the number without the first zero, in most cases. |
| 4 | Check the full number on screen, then press call. |
| 5 | Watch your balance, because international minutes cost more than local ones. |
Calling into South Sudan
People abroad dial +211 followed by the local number. Share your number in full international form with relatives who live outside the country.
People abroad dial +211 followed by the local number. Share your number in full international form with relatives who live outside the country.
Pay-as-you-go or an international bundle
You can pay for international calls from airtime, minute by minute. This is flexible, but rates are higher than local calls. Some MTN operations sell special international call bundles for popular destinations. Ask customer care on 100 whether such a pack exists on your line, and what it covers.
| Option | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Airtime, per minute | A single short call | Rates can be high and may change with the exchange rate |
| International bundle, if offered | Regular calls to one country | Fixed minutes, expiry and country list |
| App calling on data | Long chats with family | Needs a data bundle and a good signal |
| Calling card or other service | Special cases | Check the terms before you pay |
Ask these questions before you call
- What is the rate per minute to this country?
- Is billing per second or rounded up to the next minute?
- Does a bundle exist for this country?
- How long is the bundle valid?
- Do the minutes cover both landlines and mobiles?
Roaming: using your MTN line abroad
Roaming lets your phone connect to a foreign network while you keep your South Sudan number. It is never automatic everywhere. You may need to request it, keep a minimum balance and accept higher prices.
- Contact MTN at least a few days before you leave.
- Ask whether roaming is enabled on your line and for your destination.
- Ask for the price of calls, texts and data abroad.
- Ask whether incoming calls cost you money.
- Check which foreign networks work with your SIM.
- Keep enough airtime for the whole trip.
Roaming costs that surprise travellers
Receiving calls
On many networks you pay to receive a call while roaming. Ask MTN whether this applies to you.
On many networks you pay to receive a call while roaming. Ask MTN whether this applies to you.
Data
Background data can empty your balance within minutes. Switch off data roaming unless you need it.
Background data can empty your balance within minutes. Switch off data roaming unless you need it.
Voicemail
Calls that go to voicemail while you are abroad can still be charged.
Calls that go to voicemail while you are abroad can still be charged.
SMS
Texts cost more abroad, and delivery messages can also be charged.
Texts cost more abroad, and delivery messages can also be charged.
Cheaper ways to stay in touch
- Use Wi-Fi at your hotel or workplace for app calls and messages.
- Buy a local SIM or an eSIM in the country you visit. MTN South Sudan has introduced eSIM, and many phones support more than one eSIM profile.
- Tell family to message first, then call you when you are on Wi-Fi.
- Download maps and documents before you leave.
Using a local SIM abroad
A local SIM can be far cheaper than roaming. Your South Sudan number will not work on it, so tell people how to reach you and keep your MTN SIM safe. Make sure your MoMo wallet and bank messages still reach you, because one-time codes are often sent to your home number.
Before you travel: a short checklist
| 1 | Charge your MTN balance and your MoMo wallet. |
| 2 | Ask customer care about roaming and international rates. |
| 3 | Check that your phone is unlocked and works in your destination. |
| 4 | Download offline maps and key messages. |
| 5 | Save the MTN care numbers, 100 and the WhatsApp line 0920002200. |
| 6 | Tell your bank and MoMo contacts where you are going. |
Problems and fixes
Call will not connect
Check your balance, the country code and the plus sign. Some numbers need the local first zero removed.
Check your balance, the country code and the plus sign. Some numbers need the local first zero removed.
No roaming network
Restart the phone, then choose the network by hand in settings.
Restart the phone, then choose the network by hand in settings.
Charged more than expected
Check whether data roaming was on. Contact MTN with the time and amount.
Check whether data roaming was on. Contact MTN with the time and amount.
Cannot receive MoMo codes
Roaming may be off. Try again on Wi-Fi, or ask the agent for help.
Roaming may be off. Try again on Wi-Fi, or ask the agent for help.
Questions people ask
Is calling Uganda or Kenya cheaper than calling Europe?
Rates depend on the destination, so ask MTN for the price of the exact country.
Rates depend on the destination, so ask MTN for the price of the exact country.
Can I call abroad with zero airtime?
No. International calls need credit or a bundle.
No. International calls need credit or a bundle.
Do WhatsApp calls count as international calls?
No. They use data. You pay for the data, not the call.
No. They use data. You pay for the data, not the call.
Can I keep my number if I move abroad?
Ask MTN about keeping it active, since long inactivity can end a line.
Ask MTN about keeping it active, since long inactivity can end a line.
In one line
Ask for rates before you call, set up roaming before you fly, and use Wi-Fi apps or a local SIM when you can. Information from MTN customer care beats guessing every time.