The
Communications Authority of Kenya is seeking a consultant to identify
regions facing challenges in access to ICT services as it prepares to
implement the Universal Service Fund’s functions. According to the
report, the CA received the first contribution of $1 million towards the
Fund in August last year, setting the stage for initiating access
programmes to bridge the communication gap in the country.
“The
authority is required to ensure provision of universal services to all
parts of the country including rural and other high cost areas,” said CA
in a published notice. “Towards this, the authority is seeking services
of a consultant to carry out an ICT access gaps study to identify gaps/
high cost areas and establish the subsidy amount required from the
Universal Service Fund to facilitate closing the voice and data services
gaps.” Mobile telephone companies, radio and television stations and
other ICT related firms are expected to contribute 0.5 per cent of their
gross revenue towards the Universal Service Fund. According to CA’s
latest data, mobile phone service subscriptions stood at 32.8 million
for the period July to September 2014 being the first quarter of
financial year 2014/2015; translating to a mobile penetration rate of
80.5 per cent.
However,
the number of courier outlets, which had stagnated for more than a
year, improved significantly during the quarter to 788 outlets, from 707
outlets recorded in the previous quarter. According to The Star, CA
said in the notice, that the consultant will be expected to propose a
strategy to address the identified communication gaps and the time it
will take to do so.
The
state agency faced various challenges for over two years prior to
receiving the first contribution last year, the biggest being a
disagreement with telecom operators over composition of the USF board.
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