Management of Universal Access Funds for Telecommunications Regulatory Board of Cameroon Module Two: Detailed Analysis of Operating USAFs 7 – 9 February 2011
74
Embed
Management of USAFs: Detailed Analysis of Operating USAFs
This is the presentation for the second session of a workshop CTO developed on the Management of Universal Service Access Funds (USAFs), held in Cameroon. It analyses the operations of USAFs.
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
1. Management of Universal Access Funds for Telecommunications
Regulatory Board of Cameroon Module Two: Detailed Analysis of
Operating USAFs 7 9 February 2011
2. Countries Studies
Latin America
Peru
Colombia
Chile
Africa
South Africa
Uganda
Nigeria
Ghana
Kenya
3. In Context: Status of Africa Country GDP per capita (current
US$) Fixed Line penetration Mobile Penetration Time of USAF
Establishment 2009 Time of USAF Establishment 2009 Time of USAF
Establishment 2008 South Africa 3,593 (1996) 5,789 10.10% (1996)
8.62% 2% (1996) 92% Uganda 232 (2001) 490 0.22% (2001) 0.71% 1%
(2001) 27% Nigeria 504 (2003) 1,118 0.66% (2003) 0.96% 2% (2003)
42% Ghana 489 (2005) 1,098 1.47% (2005) 1.12% 13% (2005) 50%
4. PERU
5. Context of the Peruvian ICT Sector
Teledensity in 1994 for fixed lines was 3.21% and mobiles was
0.22%
Liberalising the telecommunications market started in 1991 and
completed in 1999
Peru has two interrelated mechanisms for ICT development
the Fund for Investment in Telecommunications (FITEL)
the Projects Office of the Vice Ministry of Communications of
the MTC
Government held a contract with Telefnica de Per (incumbent)
since 1994 although it benefitted cities rather than rural
areas
TdPs share of investments declined from 1998 (80%) to 2000
(50%)
6. FITEL: El Fondo de Inversin en Telecommunicaciones Rurales
(Rural Telecommunication Investment Fund)
Background
Established in 1993 to provide equity finance for
telecommunications in rural areas and projects of social
interest
in the interest of the rural communities
contributing to their socio-economic development
have the greatest social benefit
Legislation: Texto nico Ordenado of the Communications Law
telecommunications are provided under the principle of service with
equity (article 5), whereby all have the right to use
telecommunications services (article3). The right to their use
covers the entire country promoting the integration of areas at
great distances from urban centres (article 5) (MTC, 1993)
Regulation: Regulation of Law No. 28 900 and approved by
Supreme Decree N0 010-2007-MTC
7. FITEL: El Fondo de Inversin en Telecommunicaciones Rurales
(Rural Telecommunication Investment Fund)
Fund administered at the beginning was OSIPTEL, regulatory
agency
In 2006 the fund was transferred out of OSIPTEL and became
separate entity under the Transport and Communications Sector.
The fund aims to:
Reduce the gap in access to telecommunications services in
rural areas and places of preferential social interest.
Promote social and economic development of rural areas and
places of preferential social interest, ensuring access to
telecommunications services and training of people in the use of
information technology.
Encourage private sector participation in providing
telecommunications services in rural areas and places of
preferential social interest.
Universal access defined as access to a set of essential
services that includes voice telephony, fax and data, and free
emergency calls.
8. FITEL: El Fondo de Inversin en Telecommunicaciones Rurales
(Rural Telecommunication Investment Fund)
Funding
1% of total annual gross revenues billed and collected by
operators
Interest income generated by FITEL
Donations and contributions
For Financial Year 2008, FITELs budget was USD 32.8
million
FITEL resources, end of Financial Year 2008, were estimated at
USD 246.9 million
The Treasury holds the allocated funds
Though collection of funds started in 1994 the first project
was not funded until 1998
9. FITEL: El Fondo de Inversin en Telecommunicaciones Rurales
(Rural Telecommunication Investment Fund)
Intervention methodologies
Originally used out-based aid (OBA) approach with a minimum
subsidy tender
Now use competitive bidding to distribute subsidies
Since 2004 small operators can request for subsidies for self
initiated projects
A list of projects eligible for subsidies determined by the
greatest social benefit has been created
FITEL cannot allocate funds to areas that already have
access
Priority localities to receive FITEL funding include:
rural towns (with a population of more than 400 inhabitants and
less than 3,000 inhabitants)
district capitals
towns in high social interest areas
(as determined by the government)
10. FITEL: El Fondo de Inversin en Telecommunicaciones Rurales
(Rural Telecommunication Investment Fund)
Achievements
By January 2005, over 6,500 rural villages had at least one
public phone
Subsidised payphone access for 6,500 out of 10,000 population
centres. Telefonica installed the rest under its UA obligations or
on its own initiative
FITEL has disbursed:
US$ 18,800 subsidy per locality in 1998
US$ 5,700 subsidy per locality in 1999
US$ 12,100 subsidy per locality in 2000
Collected a total of $143,063,602 and disbursed $45,076,256
(32%)
Provided subsidies to rural health networks, agrarian
information systems, community telecommunications network projects
etc
In 2008 and 2009, FITEL awarded subsidies for
Broadband services to rural areas.
11. The Projects Office of the Vice Ministry of Communications
The objective of the MTC communication projects is to promote
democratisation of communication services and ICTs
Projects are financed by state resources, which are funds often
greater than those available to FITEL
Projects implemented by the MTC Office up to 2004 include:
Communal Communication Support Project 757 systems installed
for television through satellite reception and low power television
broadcasting
Radio Spectrum Control Project
Implementation of Rural Telecommunications Project Rural
Internet
Peruvian Communication Platform project
Rural TIC Settlement Project
12. Out-Based Aid (OBA)
A minimum subsidy auction with an output-based disbursement
schedule.
The operator takes on the service delivery and the government
pays them a subsidy where the disbursement schedule is linked
closely to the outputs delivered.
Adopts competitive tendering so that the initial investment and
start-up costs are covered by the subsidy but recurring costs are
covered by the commercial market.
OBA allows for some payments to be specifically deferred for
disbursement at predefined periods of time.
The mechanism provides leverage for the fund to enforce
deployment requirements because continuing payments are based on
satisfactory performances.
Since 1997 telecommunications sector registered the second
highest level of investments (22%)
Competition increased in 2003 when the government privatised
the state-owned National Telecommunications Company
Through increased competition Columbia has gained reasonably
modern telecom infrastructure but one which primarily serves higher
populated areas
This has increased the imbalance between urban and rural
areas
Colombia ICT programmes consist of Connectivity Agenda,
Compartel and Computers for Education
16. Fondo de Comunicaciones (COMPARTEL)
Background
Established in 1994 but started operations only in 1999
The funds programme is called COMPARTEL, which auctions social
telephony projects
Based upon the Chilean UA model
Fund administered by the Ministry of Information Technologies
and Communications
Supports community telephones, community Internet access
centres and Internet access at government facilities (schools,
hospitals, city halls, military)
The Program guarantees the operation and maintenance of the
telephones for 10 years.
17. Fondo de Comunicaciones (COMPARTEL)
Policy Objectives
Provide telecommunications services to as many communities as
possible that do not have access to telecommunications services, in
order for the communities to achieve the national coverage.
Improve the coverage of telecommunications services in those
towns throughout the country where the provision of these services
are inadequate, through community telecommunications
solutions.
Promote the development of telecommunications services in rural
areas to increase the competitiveness of regions.
Facilitating the access of ethnic minorities and the disabled
population of the country's telecommunications services
18. Fondo de Comunicaciones (COMPARTEL)
Funding
5% of gross revenues of national and international long
distance and mobile services and a percentage of net revenues from
fixed telephone, VAS and trunking
Contributions from license fees
Contributions from the government
Intervention methodologies
Originally used out-based aid (OBA) approach with a minimum
subsidy tender
Now use competitive bidding - Winning bidders are selected
based on meeting technical requirements with the smallest subsidy
requested.
19. Fondo de Comunicaciones (COMPARTEL)
Achievements
22,242 population centres covered with 5 million people
benefiting
At least one rural community telephone per every 150
inhabitants
Subsidised installation of Internet Community Access Centres
accessible to an estimated 5.2 million people including 2.5 million
school children
Fund has collected US$448,599,640 and disbursed US$165,995,817
(37% of that collected)
Examples of projects funded between 2007-2009:
By November 2008, Compartel had connected 15,500 public
institutions to the internet of which about 11,000 are in
schools.
In 2009, Compartel offered a maximum of US$ 28.5 million to
install a fibre cable to connect San Andres island to the mainland.
Energia Integral Andina won the least-cost auction with a request
for US$ 27.0 million.
Privatisation and competition in the telecom sector introduced
in 1988
Fixed line teledensity in 1992 was 9.5 %. This increased on
average by 15.1% between 1994-1998
Mobile telephony penetration in 1992 was only 0.8%. Prepaid
services commercially launched in 1997 has led to higher
growth
In 1991 the percentage contribution of telecommunications to
the GDP was 1.8%
In 1994 competition was improved, interconnection charges were
fixed and the law introduced carrier and multicarrier service
23. Fondo de Desarrollo de las Telecommunications
Background
Established in 1994
Fund Administrator Subtel, regulatory agency
Funding
Governments budgetary contributions
Between 1995 and 2000 FDT provided US$22 million out of a total
of US$161 million invested in universal access projects by rural
telecom operators
FDT has disbursed $29,981,000 (100%) of funds (2006)
24. Fondo de Desarrollo de las Telecommunications
Intervention methodologies:
All operators are eligible to receive funds
Projects are requested/proposed by the community, the
municipality or by an operator/entrepreneur
The fund administrator then reviews, evaluates and develops for
funding process
Originally used out-based aid (OBA) approach with a minimum
subsidy tender
Subsidies are now distributed through competitive bidding. The
bid evaluation emphasizes the lowest proposed subsidy for a
particular project combined with a commitment to shortest delivery
time.
25. Fondo de Desarrollo de las Telecommunications
Achievements
Met the target to provide public telephone service to about
6,000 unserved localities during the period from 1995-1999.
After that achievement, refocused on telecentres projects plus
backbone, broadband and mobile network expansion.
25,000 payphones have been installed in around 8,000 population
centres (2006)
By 2006 less than 150,000 (1% of population) was without basic
telephone access
Internet access for rural schools
Projects and programs financed by the fund during 2007 2009
include:
Even after the end of apartheid the digital divide by the
colour was pronounced. In 1994 national teledensity was 60% but
blacks had less than 1% access
One incumbent fixed line operator Telkom - and two mobile
operators in 1993 Vodacom (owned 50% by Telekom) and MTN, with Cell
C introduced in 2001
ISPs and Value Added Network Services (VANS) were fully
liberalised
By 1993-94 period there were 3.66 million main telephone
subscribers and about 50,000 public telephones
By 1995 there were 300,000 mobile subscribers
29. Context of the South African ICT sector
Telecommunications Green Paper 2005 to consult with the
public
Key telecom policy objectives of the Government
achievement of universal service
economic empowerment of historically disadvantaged South
Africans
provision of a wide range of telecommunications services to
stimulate and support economic growth
effective use of telecommunications for social and
infrastructural development
Progress from universal access to universal service
The policy identified internal (affordability,
legislative/regulatory frameworks etc) and external (technology
changes, convergence etc) drivers of change
30. Context of the South African ICT sector
Adopted policy and regulatory strategies
Imposing public service obligations for community access and
setting different rates accordingly
Assign tariff differentials for targeted groups
Segmenting services market and open for competition
Regulate network and service provision, interconnection,
quality of service, frequency spectrum
Facilitation of flow of investment funds
Carry out of various public consultation processes
31. Context of the South African ICT sector
South Africa set Universal Service targets
Telekoms fixed rollout target in 1996:
2.7 million new lines
1.7 million lines in underserved areas
120,000 pay phones
Access for 20,246 priority customers in 3,204 villages
Mobile:
Vodacom (1993) -22,000
MTN (1993) 7,500
Cell C (2001) 52,000
High speed Internet access to 2,500 public schools and 2,500
rural clinics
Problems with the specified targets was market uncertainty,
potential error in network growth predictions, lack of flexibility,
and the operators inability to comply creatively
32. Universal Service Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA)
Background
Established under the Consolidated Telecommunications Act 1996
as the administrator of the Universal Service Fund
One of the objectives ofthe Act (a) promote the universal and
affordable provision oftelecommunication services
Objectives:
promote the goal of universal service
encourage, facilitate and provide guidance in respect of any
universal access scheme
The funds were to be utilised to fund access by needy persons,
extension of telecom services by license holders, internet access
for schools, access for community access points etc.
33. Universal Service Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA)
Funding
0.2% of all operators revenues (2009)
The 2001 Telecommunications Amendment Bill limited annual
contributions to the fund to 0.5% of revenue
At current levels, annual contributions are in the range of US$
18.4 23.5 million
From 1998 to 2008, total operators contributions were US$ 81.8
million
Total appropriations or money budgeted for specific use in the
same period was US$29.2 million
34. Universal Service Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA)
Intervention Methodologies
Initially supported telecentres and public payphones, today
extends to E-school cyberlabs, ICT telecontainers and community
digital hubs
By 2008, 155 telecentres have been established. Today focus on
replacing obsolete equipment
Now focus on Under-served Area Licenses (USALs) licensed to
provide voice and data services in under-served rural districts
(less than 5% teledensity). Each USAL for the 27 identified areas
was to receive a US$ 735,000 subsidy from the Fund spread over 3
years. Seven companies have been awarded USALS by 2009
In May 2007, ICASA the regulator merged the USALs and issue one
Provincial Under-Serviced Area Network Operator (PUSANO) license
per province.
35. Universal Service Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA)
Intervention Methodologies
Telecentres provide a number of services and have diverse
ownership and governance structures of individuals, enterprises,
NGOs and CBOs
Multi-Purpose Community Centres (MPCCs)
School Cyberlabs school based facilities (with 30 computers,
photocoping machine, printer and sometimes a fax machine) in
under-served areas to provide ICT access and computer literacy
training, owned and maintained by the school in the long-term
Community Digital Hubs advanced ICT facilities to provide human
capacity building and technical support to remote Telecentres and
Cyeberlabs
Today Broadcasting is a part of the Funds mandate under the
National Broadband Policy
36. Universal Service Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA)
Challenges
Affordability of services
Difficulties in forging partnerships
Need monitoring and evaluation
Need more effective relationships with stakeholders
Better coordination of operators USOs
Stronger agency at provincial levels
Not in line with national priorities
Need stronger image
Key Success Factors
Bottom-up strategy
Research
Multi-stakeholder partnerships
Networking for scaling up
Technology
Developmental planning
37. Sources for further information on South Africa
In 2001 there were two fixed line operators; Uganda Telecom
& MTN Uganda with one Mobile operator; Celtel Uganda
Communications Act 1997 introduced liberalisation with the
following sector specific policy objectives:
Establish an independent regulator
Increase teledensity from 0.28% to 2.0% by 2002
Improve communication facilities and quality of service
add a variety of new communications services.
Serve the unmet customer demand
Increase the geographical distribution and coverage of the
services throughout the country.
40. Context of the Ugandan ICT sector
41. Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF)
Background
Established in 2001 while implementation of programmes began in
2002
Administered by Uganda Communications Commission
RCDF Board set up in 2002 to oversee management
Uganda is the first African country to develop USF covering
ICTs and not just basic telephony
Operators were obliged under their licences to declare what
areas they would reach by July 2002
UCC carried out a baseline study on Policies and strategies
best suited for rural communications in Uganda which led to:
Rural Communications Development Policy
An operating manual for the UAF addressing
A Universal Access Fund Manuscript
42. Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF)
Legislation: The Uganda Communications Act 1997 states that the
The functions of the Commission shall be .... (aa) to establish and
administer a fund for rural communications development
UCC policy for the Rural Communications Development Fund (2001)
states that the RCDF is essentially intended to act as a means of
intervention to ensure that basic communication services of
acceptable quality are accessible, at affordable prices, and at
reasonable distances, by all people in Uganda.
To provide access of a reasonable distance to basic
communications
To ensure effective utilisation of the fund
To promote the use of ICT
43. Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF)
Funding
1% levy on all sector participants including telecom operators,
the postal service, couriers and ISPs.
All players who are likely to benefit from the fund contribute
equally in proportion to their revenues
Government contributions
World Bank has made contributions as well
ITU has also supported projects e.g. pilot MTC project in
Nakeseki
In addition there had been funding from other multilateral and
bilateral agencies
44. Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF)
Intervention methodologies
Use smart subsidies / reverse auction. This emerged as a best
practice as it prevents long-term dependency on subsidy
Funds are only available to areas where service provision is
not feasible or unlikely to be provided by operators within the
next 1-2 years without subsidy
Every service in every area was subjected to a viability test
to calculate the maximum one-time subsidy
Internet access in schools is also subsidised by RCDF
RCDF generally finance projects that provide telephony,
internet POPs, internet exchange points, internet cafes,
telecentres, public payphones and interestingly content
development
For fiscal year 2008-2009, the RCDF levy generated USD 4.0
million and development partners contributed an additional USD 2.0
million
45. Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF)
Achievements
In 2004 Uganda completed first countrywide tender process to
have a public telephone in each of its approximately 900 rural
sub-counties
By August 2008, the fund had financed the installation of:
15 telecentres
computer labs in 106 rural schools
1,704 payphones
54 internet cafes
52 Internet POPs
55 basic ICT training centres
78 district web portals
46. Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF)
RCDPs second policy development process
47. Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF)
Future Plans
A new 5-year plan for the fund, RCDF II, was released in 2009.
It has used a SWOT analysis and aims to use business models for
delivery of services
The analysis has identified as challenges lack of awareness,
low literacy, lack of access & affordability, energy
sustainability, quality of services
The new plan aims to install one payphone per 500 people in
rural areas and establish one community information centre per
rural district
In order to accomplish these objectives, the UCC estimates that
it will need funding of US$ 17.2 million per year.
The Nigerian Communications Commissions Act was enacted in 1992
and the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) was created in
1993
51. Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF)
Background
Established in 2003
Fund administered by the Universal Service Provision Fund
Board
World Bank assessment (2005) of demand, preferences and
affordability, status of the telecom sector, outlook and prospects
for coverage,
and identified regional challenges and the required size of the
programme of intervention
The World Bank designed the project, processes of disbursement,
and helped tendering and licensing first pilot project
The funds initial focus was on community communications centres
and mobile network expansion.
52. Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF)
Preferred operating model was
public-private-community-partnerships
public sector contribute fiscal incentives
private sector the primary driver for implementation and
sustainability
operated by operators, government and donors
The USPF has a widely representative Board
high officials from the line ministry and the regulatory
authority
four eminent private sector stakeholders.
The board supervises policy directions and the management of
the fund
53. Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF)
Policies
ensure that the USPF serves public interest in the provision of
ICT applications and services
creates an enabling environment to improve use of ICTs
assures accessibility and availability of telecommunications
and ICT infrastructure and services
facilitates provision of infrastructural development
promotes technological innovation & competition
provides access for business to improve their development
adopts methods of attaining greater Universal Access and
Universal Service.
54. Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF)
Legislation
Nigerian Communications Act 2003 states 112 (1) Subject to
subsection (2) of this section, the Commission shall consider,
design and determine a system which shall promote the widespread
availability and usage of network services and applications
services throughout Nigeria by encouraging the installation of
network facilities and the provision for network services and
applications services to institutions in unserved, underserved
areas or for underserved groups within the community
55. Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF)
Funding
Main funding source is 50% of annual operators levy
Appropriations by the National Assembly
Contributions from the NCC
Income from its operations and investments
Donations, loans and grants
Fund is professionally managed by an independent investment
management firm
Intervention methodologies
Use both top-down and bottom-up processes for project
initiation
Funds allocated though competitive bidding
Often includes minimum subsidy auctions in the competitive
bidding process
56. Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF)
Achievements
USPF has subsidized 47 wireless base stations, internet
connections for 109 schools in 2007 and 365 schools in 2008
In April 2008, the fund had US$ 64.6 million in total
resources
Fund plans to
subsidize ICT facilities for a further 550 schools
establish 109 Community Communications Centres
accelerate the expansion of mobile coverage through subsidies
of passive sharing of infrastructure such as towers and generators
in 2009
Fixed line penetration has been declining since 2004.
Huge recent mobile growth with high level of competition
In 2004 there were 5 wireless network providers, 4 of which
were mobile operators
Two major fixed line service providers in 2005
Polices and legislation pertaining to USAFs
National Communications Authority Act 769 of 2008,
National ICT4AD Policy, 2003,
Electronic Communications Act, 2008, Act 775
National Communications Regulations 2003, L.I. 1719.
Electronic Transactions Act 772, 2008
National Telecommunications Policy, 2005 (NTP-05)
60. Context of the Ghanaian ICT sector
Penetration Rates (in 1000s)
61. Ghana Investment Fund for Telecommunications (GIFTEL)
Background
Established in 2005
Administered jointly by the government and the private sector
through the GIFTEL Board of Trustees
An investment fund that collects money from telecommunications
sector licensees and through licenses defines obligations to
achieve UA and US
The policy goal was to achieve Universal Access to
telecommunications to all regions and communities by 2010 and
expand penetration to at least 25% of the population (including 10%
in rural areas)
62. Ghana Investment Fund for Telecommunications (GIFTEL)
Funding
1% of fixed operators net revenues
Funds allocated by the Parliament
Money accrued from the Funds investments
Grants, donations etc.
Intervention methodologies
Allocated on a competitive basis through competitive
bidding
Public-private-partnerships used in allocation process
Requires a minimum number of bidders
Provides initial capital investments and start-up costs
May seek supplementary funding for a particular project
Assess long-term financial sustainability and meeting the
policy objectives
Multi-purpose Community Telecentres (MCTs) a priority
63. Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC)
Background
Established in 2005
Similar USAF policies to GIFTEL but has a broader mandate in
communications
Encompasses all electronic communications rather than only
telecommunications thus covering provision of basic telephony,
internet, multimedia, and broadband
64. Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC)
Funding
Contributions from operators and service providers
Funds provided by the Parliament
Monies that may accrue to the Fund from investments
Donations, grants and gifts
Any other monies that may become lawfully payable to the
Fund
65. Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC)
Intervention methodologies
Support rural telecentres (through competitive grants) and
public telephony and Internet POPs (by open tender)
Achievements
Funding shared mobile operator facilities
Establish and manage community information centres (CIC)
providing videos, computers, internet, photocopiers, fax etc. 120
operational since 2008.
Rural payphones roll-out in conjunction with MTN
Rural Business Centres and School Connectivity, but slow
implementation
39 common telecom facilities in 2008 providing access for 273
communities
Mobile operators are extending networks at a faster rate
through competition than GIFECs programme roll-out
Four mobile operators with a total subscription of 20.1
million
Mobile penetration at 51.2%
Mobile coverage is at 86% of the population within a signal
reach and land coverage of 35%
7.8 million Internet users
247,972 Fixed lines
419,047 Fixed wireless
18,626 Broadband subscriber
69. Universal Service & Access Fund - Kenya
Baseline study carried out in 2004 assessed the ICT market,
evaluated gaps and established the rural demand for ICTs
Recommended the establishment of a USF for sustainable funding
of Universal Access, carrying out of ICT Pilot projects such as at
schools and community access points and the provision of relevant
content for communities.
Legislation: Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment)
Act No. 1 of 2009
70. Universal Service & Access Fund - Kenya
USF established in 2010, administered by the Communications
Commission of Kenya, the regulator.
The process was delayed due to a number of factors such
as;
Legislation took too long to be enacted
Uncertainty as to who should implement the fund and
programme
Indecision on what percentage of levy to impose
Consultations for industry buy-in
Political and vested interests
71. Universal Service & Access Fund - Kenya
Proposals for funding
All licensees to contribute to the fund
Levy between 0.5% -1% but has to be realistic
Contributors to the fund to be involved in decision-making
Independent body to manage the Fund
Applying smart subsidies
Current status
16 School-based ICT centers established
Community ICT access points created
8 ICT centers for secondary schools
10 eResource centers in rural community public libraries in
progress
Digitization of the secondary school curriculum underway
Computerization of health facilities in Nairobi underway
Strategic Plan for 2005-2010
72. Comparison of Operating African USAFs Country Funding
Source Allocation Process Disbursement South Africa USAASA - 0.2%
levy on all operators revenues - Currently annual contributions in
the range of US$18.4-23.5 million - Initial priority, development
of telecentres - Focus has shifted to assisting the recipients of
Under-served Area Licenses (USALs)
Total disbursement up to 2008 was US$31,718,060
By 2008, 155 telecentres had been established
Each USAL licensee for 27 identified areas receives US$ 735,000
subsidy from the Fund spread over 3 years.
Uganda
1% levy on all sector participants
Government, WB, ITU and other multi and bilateral agencies
contributes
Smart subsidies
Minimum one-time subsidy
Finance a range of projects
public telephones in each of approximately 900 rural
sub-counties
installed 15 telecentres, 106 computer labs, 1,704 payphones,
54 internet cafes, 52 Internet POPs, 55 basic ICT training centres
and 78 district web portals
73. Comparison of Operating African USAFs Country Funding
Source Allocation Process Disbursement Nigeria
- 50% of annual
operator levy
Appropriations by the National Assembly
Contributions from the NCC
Use both top-down and bottom-up processes for project
initiation
Funds allocated though competitive bidding
Often includes minimum subsidy auctions in the competitive
bidding process
- Total resources by April 2008, US$ 64.6 million - subsidized 47
wireless base stations, and internet connections for 374 schools
Ghana
1% of fixed operators net revenues
Funds allocated by the Parliament
Allocated through competitive bidding and open tender
Public-private-partnerships
Need a minimum number of bidders
Supports initial capital investments
Priority MCTs
Completed 39 common telecom facilities enabling the extension of
service to 273 communities