ECTEL’s
Universal Service Activities
Towards Bridging the Rural Urban Divide
Purpose of Presentation
To outline the activities undertaken by
ECTEL in relation to Universal Service
over the last few years as a means of
providing the background to initiatives
currently being undertaken in the Member
States
Principles of Universal
Service Funds
Facilitating extending basic services
Providing subsidies to providers
Closing gaps
Inclusion of “marginal” communities –
geographic, economic, social,
institutional
Background: Aspects of ECTEL
Treaty Relating to Universal Service
ARTICLE 4 - Purposes of ECTEL
The major purposes of ECTEL shall be to promote-:
(c) a universal service, so as to ensure the widest
possible access to telecommunications at an
affordable rate by the people of the Contracting
States and to enable the people of the
Contracting States to share in the freedom to
communicate over an efficient and modern
telecommunications network;
Treaty – Other Related Purposes of
ECTEL
To promote:
(g) the introduction of advanced
telecommunications technologies and an
increased range of services in the Contracting
States;
(h) increased penetration of telecommunications in
the Contracting States;
ECTEL Treaty
ARTICLE 5 -Functions and Powers of
ECTEL
1. ECTEL's functions are to —
(p) advise Contracting States on the
management of the Universal Service
Fund and make recommendations on
applications for disbursements from
these Funds;
ECTEL Treaty
ARTICLE 12 - Universal Service Fund
1. Each Contracting State agrees to establish a Fund,
within its jurisdiction , to be known as the Universal
Service Fund for the purpose of promoting the
widest possible access to telecommunications at
an affordable cost to the people of the Contracting
States.
ECTEL Treaty
ARTICLE 12 - Universal Service Fund
2. The revenues of the Fund shall consist of
payments made by individual licencees direct
to the Fund in accordance with conditions of
their licences requiring contributions to promote
universal service.
3. Contracting States shall manage the Universal
Service Fund taking into account the
recommendations of ECTEL
Telecoms Acts
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Sections 43 to 45 of the Acts address Universal
Service
Section 43: Universal Service Obligations are
addressed through Licences
Section 44: provides for establishment and
management of USF and issuance of the Order
governing contributions to the Fund
Section 45: Provides for regulations to govern
the computation of “compensation” to service
providers
TICT Project
COMPONENT 2 - Universal Access
The objective of this component is to review current
universal access policy, create related guidelines,
and provide financial support to establish a
Universal Service Fund (USF).
TICT Project
Subcomponent 2.1 - Universal Service Guidelines:
This subcomponent will establish unified policy,
strategy, and implementing guidelines that will help
ensure the spread of advanced telecommunications
infrastructure to communities and public institutions
in the region.
It will assist in preparing a comprehensive consultation
paper to define Universal Service Guidelines (USG)
for improving access to information and
telecommunications services through a USF, as well
as drafting regulations that would address the
management of the Fund and Universal Service
Obligations.
TICT Project
Subcomponent 2.2 - Implementation Support: The
objective of this subcomponent is to provide
skilled support to ECTEL and the NTRCs to
implement the USF regulations, policy and
operating procedures to be defined under
subcomponent 2.1.
TICT Project
Subcomponent 2.3 - Support for Universal Service
Fund:
The objective o f this subcomponent is to establish
and provide a one-time subsidy to the USF that will
stimulate private investment in expanding
broadband connectivity and access to advanced
ICT for under-served communities and public
institutions.
Universal Service Regulations
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Public Consultations on Draft Regs - Oct 2006
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Regional Workshop on Universal Service – Feb 2007
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Public Consultations on Revised Draft Regs –
Apr/may 2007
Regional Workshop involving AGs Chambers – Jun
2007
Draft Regs approved by the ECTEL Board of
Directors - Sept 2007
Regulations approved by Council - October 2007
and forwarded to Member States for promulgation
By March 2009 promulgation by SKB and SVG only
Universal Service Guidelines
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Aspects of Guidelines discussed at Regional
workshop – Feb 2007
Circulated for Public Consultation – Dec 2007 –
Feb 2008
Approved by ECTEL Board – Apr 2008
Guidelines approved at Special Council Meeting
- July 2008 and submitted to NTRCs
Memoranda of Understanding
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During 2008 and 2009 Memoranda of
Understanding (MOUs) between the NTRCs
and ECTEL on arrangements for
implementation of universal service projects
using the funds from the TICT Project were
discussed and signed by all countries
except SVG
Solicitation Letters to Service Providers
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Some initial ideas and proposals submitted by the
licensed service providers and other ICT interests
Two prominent ideas were CAPs and Mobile
Cellular Base Stations – expanding basic
services in voice and internet
The situation suggested that, at the time,
service providers were either unable or
unwilling to prepare adequate project
proposals.
Promotional Activities
Promotional activities were required in the
Member States to:
 create a greater level of interest in the Universal
Service projects in general;
 encourage service providers and other business
interest to participate in the upcoming bidding
processes;
 obtain information on local conditions – to
develop the projects; prepare the bid
documents; to make the projects and bidding
process attractive to local businesses;
Bidding Documents
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Bidding Documents for DOM CAPs Project
started completed, published and bids
submitted.
Bid Documents published in Grenada –
opening in May
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Work on SVG Documents complete.
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SLU and SKN projects being developed
Closing Observations
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Introduction of Universal Service took longer
than planned/expected – potential drawbacks
as a strategy to bridge divide
It has been a learning exercise for ECTEL and
NTRCs – guidelines must balance global and
local benchmarks/standards
Limited initial interest from service providers –
new small responsive providers needed
High level of interest from political directorate –
critical support to bridge divide
THANK YOU