Media, Technology and Economic development

The economic of growth and development in the present world of globalisation, privatization as well as liberalisation, telecommunication has equally circumvented the core part. However, in order to motivate sector plays a great role in ensuring sound delivering of low cost voice telephone to the largest possible number of individuals as well as delivering low cost high speed computers networking to the largest number of firms. In relation to some of the planning years under review, some of the major initiatives in telecommunication policy which were introduced include the opening up of international long distance traffic, permitting internet telephony setting up a mechanism for universal social obligation (USO) permitting a fourth operator in the cellular mobile segment and even the commissioning of national internet back-bone (NIB). However, the main new initiative in telecom regulation include the new services, quality of service and consumer protection, accounting separation as well as deregulation of tariffs for cellular mobile services. The main universal service support policy (USSP) has generally been effective as from the year 2002, presently the universal levy (USL) is exactly fixed at 5% of the adjusted gross revenue of all telecom carriers or operators excluding pure value added service providers. The amount of USL will remain within the present cap of license fee. Also support from universal service fund shall cover both public accesses through public or community telephone in identified net high cost of rural areas. Also the disbursement of funds to service providers shall be through multilayered bidding process mainly on the basis of least quoted subsidy after necessary verification of the targets obtained.