ICT Policy- September 2009

6. UNIVERSAL SERVICE

6.1 Policy Element - Universal Service

a. Policy Issue

The existing definition of universal service is restrictive and needs to be expanded beyond physical access to networks. Universal service must encompass enabling elements such as information literacy and financing, bearing in mind that ultimately Jamaicans will be empowered and enriched not simply by technology but by the capacity and opportunity to create and use content and applications.

b. Policy Objective

To achieve a thriving, digital economy and knowledge-based society with opportunities for accelerated growth and which includes every Jamaican.

c. Policy Statements
Government will redefine universal service in the relevant legislation, as inclusive of the following elements:
(i) Physical Access through connectivity to local/regional and international networks;
(ii) Resource Access (financial and human) which takes account of the need for financial support to enable small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to acquire ICTs for entrepreneurial and business development, particularly SMEs' involved in innovation and creation of ICT products and services; and the need to support technical training and education to develop a cadre of knowledge workers capable of supporting local and international investments in the ICT sector and the wider economy; and
(iii) Basic Access which requires that, at minimum, opportunities be made available for all Jamaicans to become computer literate.

6.2 Policy Element - Universal Service Obligations

a. Policy Issue
Reliance on market forces is not a guarantee that the entire population will have access to the ICTs within the time frames set out in Jamaica's ICT Strategic Plan. The Government will need to intervene as required to promote universal service through the provision of the necessary funding or access facilities.

While voice telephony, through wire line and wireless transport, penetrates extensive areas of the island, the availability and access to high capacity networks for Internet access remains a major challenge. This has adversely impacted ICT based education, access to information, deployment of electronic services (e-Services) and entrepreneurial opportunities beyond urban and other densely populated geographical regions. There is, therefore, a need to deploy high capacity networks to unserved and underserved areas as also to enhance efficiency and stimulate economic development.

b. Policy Objective
The policy seeks to promote accelerated deployment of affordable and accessible high capacity networks and facilities islandwide.

c. Policy Statements
The Government will:
(i) Keep under review unserved and underserved areas of the country and pursue strategies to increase access to high capacity services;
(ii) Support programmes that specifically target vulnerable groups including low-income households, the elderly, youth and the disabled;
(iii) Establish a micro-financing fund which will provide loans, grants and/or equity investments in ICT projects operated by small local entrepreneurs, local authorities and non-profit organizations to stimulate the expansion of ICT access;
(iv) Incentivize deployment of ICT services to unserved and underserved areas and the provision of Access Points and multi-function telecentres;
(v) Continue to fund connectivity services and supporting infrastructure to educational institutions, libraries, post offices;
(vi) Provide Internet access devices and applications for the training of students in the use of the Internet and other ICT services, to support the Government's vision of creating an information and knowledge based society;
(vii) Facilitate the achievement of lifelong learning and a knowledge based society by providing ubiquitous access to information which supports improved education, skills acquisition and innovations; and
(viii) Promote information literacy programmes and the development of local content.

6.3 Policy Element - Funding of Universal Service Obligations

a. Policy Issue
It is important to protect the reliability of and augment the revenues for universal service programmes.

b. Policy Objective
To extend the obligation for payment of the Universal Service Obligation levy to all ICT service providers.

c. Policy Statements
(i) The legislation will contain express provision for the Universal Access Fund Company Limited (UAFCL) to collect and monitor the inflows of funds to the Universal Service Fund (the Fund) and manage the protocols governing use of the Fund. The UAFCL will be held responsible for reporting on the use of the Fund which shall have succession until it is dissolved.
(ii) The legislation will make express provisions for a project approval process to enable the UAFCL to fund approved programmes and projects.
(iii) The legislation will make provision for the Universal Service Obligation levy to be derived from a charge on inbound international voice, data and all other forms of traffic and/or a percentage of gross revenue from ICT licensees.
(iv) All licensees will be under an obligation to pay the levy to enable the discharge of all Universal Service Obligations.
(v) The legislation will make provision for sanctions for non-compliance with the payment of Universal Service Obligation levy.
(vi) The Fund will (among other initiatives) support connectivity access, the provision of hardware, software and supporting infrastructure to schools, provision of hardware and software to libraries and post offices; support content, information literacy, educational and technical training in ICTs.