[kictanet] CA BOOSTS FUND FOR BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

Tue Apr 19 21:18:13 EAT 2016

Thank you Rachel for such a detailed update. It is good to see the
rejuvenation of the USF after the Univeral Service Advisory Council (USAC)
was activated. Looking forward to all the preparatory work by CA & other
stakeholders finally paying off.

Asante.
Wainaina

On Tuesday, April 19, 2016, Ali Hussein via kictanet <
kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:

> Rachel
>
> A pleasure to see an agency of government promptly respond in detail on
> queries by the community. Truly good winds of change are blowing. We really
> applaud this action.
>
> Allow us to study the report and then revert back with questions/queries
> and suggestions.
>
> Regards
>
>
> *Ali Hussein*
>
> *Principal*
>
> *Hussein & Associates*
>
>
>
> Tel: +254 713 601113
>
> Twitter: @AliHKassim
>
> Skype: abu-jomo
>
> LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim
> <http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim>
>
>
>
> Any information of a personal nature expressed in this email are purely
> mine and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the
> organizations that I work with.
>
> On Tue, Apr 19, 2016 at 4:27 PM, Alwala, Rachel <Alwala at ca.go.ke
> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','Alwala at ca.go.ke');>> wrote:
>
>> Dear Listers,
>>
>> We appreciate the engagement and wish to provide the following
>> clarifications regarding the Universal Service Fund.  Please note that this
>> is based on the questions raised and additional information for your
>> understanding.
>>
>> The Authority within the current FY 2015/16 contracted Intelecon Research
>> Ltd of Canada to undertake an ICT Access Gaps Study whose objectives were:
>>
>> •       To engage the industry and other stakeholders / service
>> providers to identify the gaps in the ICTs service provision.
>>
>> •       Conduct an in-depth analysis of communication services in the
>> country and map out access gaps in voice, data, broadcasting and postal
>> &courier services at sub-location level across all counties in Kenya.
>>
>> •       To support implementation of initial USF network expansion
>> projects, grouping gap areas and special projects (e.g. schools
>> connectivity) into optimal lots for purposes of tendering.
>>
>> •      Develop an interactive portal for regular updates and definition
>> of the gaps for each service area giving GPS coordinates for selected USF
>> clusters and other socio-economic characteristics.
>>
>> •       Develop a 5 year USF Implementation Strategy based on projected
>> funding
>>
>> •       Review the existing Operational Manual with a view of aligning
>> it with relevant internal procedures of the Authority and procurement
>> legislations.
>>
>>
>>
>> *The progress made To-date*
>>
>> •       The consultants have delivered an acceptable Final Access Gaps
>> report herewith attached; Developed an interactive portal for regular
>> updates by the Authority; Are currently reviewing the USF Operating
>> Manual and thereafter develop the 5 year USF Implementation Strategy.
>>
>>
>> From the objectives of the ICT Gaps Study, it is clear the survey did not
>> focus on the need to increase the USF levy amount neither did the study
>> audit the use of USF funds.
>>
>>
>> It should further be noted that even though the Act that created USF came
>> into being in 2009, it was not until in the FY 2013/14 that the Authority
>> issued the first USF invoices.
>>
>>
>> As it awaited the legal framework to be in place and fully operationlize
>> the Fund, the Authority undertook a number of preparatory activities for
>> the implementation of USF. These include:
>>
>> ·     Carrying out a number of studies to guide the implementation of
>> the Fund, these included the 1st National ICT Survey (2010/2011) and the
>> ICT Access Gaps Study (2011); The Internet Market Study; the 2nd National
>> ICT Survey (2016) targeting Public Sector and Business Enterprises covering
>> all the 47 counties in Kenya.  The National ICT Survey has been undertaken
>> in conjunction with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) with the
>> objective of; establishing ownership, access and usage of ICTs in
>> enterprises; measuring the use and access of ICTs by Government employees;
>> measuring availability of ICTs in enterprises and public sector
>> institutions; measuring supply of e-Government services to citizens in
>> Kenya and compute the e-Government development index. The data capture for
>> the Public Sector and Business Enterprises has just been concluded and a
>> report will be shared with stakeholders.
>>
>>
>>    - The Authority also Implemented a number of Universal Access (UA)
>>    pilot projects whose lessons are instrumental in the implementation of USF
>>    projects. The pilot projects include: 16 ICT Centers in Secondary Schools
>>    (2 in each province), 4 Community Centers, 8 ICT Centers schools for PWDs
>>    (covering all secondary schools for PwDs in Kenya), 56 e-Resource Centers
>>    within the Kenya National Library Service outlets, E-health Project
>>    (implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Qualcomm
>>    Inc), Content Development that include the Digitization of the Kenya
>>    Certificate of Secondary School (KCSE) Form I and II curriculum by Kenya
>>    Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD); developed a Web Portal
>>    for Persons With Disabilities (in partnership with the National Council for
>>    Persons with Disabilities and United Disabled Persons of Kenya(NCPWD);
>>    supported the development of National Broadband Strategy (2012) with
>>    technical support from USAID’s Global Broadband Innovation (GBI) programme.
>>    A number of stakeholders supported the development of the National
>>    Broadband Strategy (NBS).  These included the Ministry of Information
>>    Communications and Technology, the ICT Authority, the then E-Government
>>    Directorate, Vision 2030 Secretariat and National Communications
>>    Secretariat and other stakeholders. This strategy is important in the
>>    realization of universal access to broadband services in Kenya. These
>>    projects have been fully funded by the Authority.
>>
>> Universal Service Fund (USF) kitty has accumulated KES. 2.94 Billion from
>> remittances by licensees while the Authority has contributed KES 1 Billion
>> seed money to the fund putting the total collections at KES giving total
>> collections to date at KES. 3.94 Billion.
>>
>> The Access Gaps Study Report (attached) has identified basic services
>> and broadband gaps as the two priorities for USF investment in the FY
>> 2016/17:
>>
>>
>>    - Infrastructure Projects: Closing the voice gaps in the identified
>>    214 sub-locations. This will reduce the population coverage gap from 5.6%
>>    of the population to around half (2.8%) by 2018. The USF distributes Funds
>>    through subsidies. Since USF subsidies will be distributed on a
>>    progressive basis as the awarded Lots are implemented, it is not expected
>>    that the USF will distribute more than 67% of the awards made in the first
>>    fiscal year of operation (2016/17), thus the final amount distributed in
>>    2016/17 on the voice service project will be approximately US$ 10 M (KES 1
>>    billion).
>>    - Broadband Connectivity in Secondary Schools in Kenya. The cost of
>>    braodband connectivity is estimated at KES. 500M.
>>
>>
>>
>> These priority projects shall be implemented under the accepted
>> guidelines of the USF and the existing procurement laws in Kenya which
>> stress on transparency and competition in the distribution of funds.
>>
>>
>> *USF Projects Implementation Plan*
>>
>> The Schools Connectivity project will be designed to run in parallel with
>> the ICT Infrastructure (Voice) Project. The schedule of USF implementation
>> is as follows;
>>
>>    - Project Design Report (scheduled for 27th May 2016)
>>    - Industry Workshop in the first week of June 2016.
>>    - Bidding Documents will be available at end of June 2016.
>>    - Awards of tender are expected to be made by early November 2016.
>>    - Implementation of the USF projects 2017
>>
>>
>> Kindly note that the Authority is the secretariat to the Univeral Service
>> Advisory Council (USAC) and can provide any information required. The CA
>> website is updated with news items, publications, so make effort to equally
>> follow us on online platforms and achievements to date. Lastly, we wish to
>> clarify that the Universal Service Levy imposed under section 84J (3) of
>> the Act is to be charged on all licensees offering communication systems
>> and services on a commercial basis.  The Act provides for the Levy charged
>> on licensees at an amount not exceeding one percent (1%) of the gross
>> revenue of a licensee. However, the Authority's Board settled on 0.5% after
>> due consultation with the industry. At no point has the Authority
>> considered increasing the levy amount since the ICT voice gaps has
>> considerably reduced to 5.6%. Any changes in the percentage of contribution
>> will be subjected to industry consultations.
>>
>> Hope this gives you some insights that are helpful.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Rachel Alwala
>> Assistant Director/Communications and External Affairs
>> Communications Authority of Kenya
>> PO Box 14448
>> Nairobi 00800
>> Tel:  +254 703 042000
>> Email:  alwala at ca.go.ke <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','alwala at ca.go.ke');>
>> Website:  www.ca.go.ke
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> From: KICTAnet Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke');>>
>> Reply-To: KICTAnet Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke');>>
>> Date: Monday, April 18, 2016 at 14:27
>> To: Rachel Alwala <alwala at ca.go.ke
>> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','alwala at ca.go.ke');>>
>> Cc: Ali Hussein <ali at hussein.me.ke
>> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','ali at hussein.me.ke');>>
>> Subject: [kictanet] CA BOOSTS FUND FOR BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
>>
>> See attached news clip. Couldn't find the online version. Good
>> initiative. No doubt.
>>
>> However, I'm curious:-
>>
>> 1. Why is it that the study only focused on need for more cash?
>>
>> 2. I haven't seen the report but I'm hoping that it also includes an
>> audit on how much has been spent since the fund was started, it's impact
>> and challenges. Could whoever is on this list provide us with a link to
>> review this study?
>>
>> 3. Why the Board, appointed to administer and execute this fund has been
>> consistently missing in action on this list. Surely they don't have
>> anything to hide do they? Silence speaks volumes. This forum isn't about
>> just criticizing but about engaging and contributing to the development of
>> ICTs in this country. Be a part of it. You can't ignore us forever.
>>
>> 4. Could the CA provide this forum and Kenyans at large a Performance
>> Report on this very important component of our ICT development?
>> Regards
>>
>>
>

-- 
Digital Television policy, regulation and technology in Africa on issues
relating to Consumers, Content and Coverage.
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