FMCT Identifies 200 Telecom Services Subsidy Clusters

Federal Ministry of Communication Technology through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) ‘Access Gap study’, has discovered over 200 subsidy clusters across the six geo political zones which represent the areas where telecommunication services are yet to reach.

Subsequently, the USPF will utilize these clusters to identify target areas, define universal access service (UAS) interventions and map the interventions to the appropriate communities.

Dr Omobola Johnson, chairman, Universal Service Provision Fund and minister of Communication Technology, disclosed this at the Industry Forum to unveil the USPF new website and to launch the clusters of ICT Gap, held in Lagos at the weekend.

Johnson said that the USPF in pursuit of its mandate to stimulate the deployment and utilization of ICT services in un-served and underserved communities and groups in the country, has continued to play a leading role in promoting and deepening ICT access and availability in the rural areas of the in the rural areas of the country.

She re-iterated that, mandate of the fund is the backdrop against which it developed the SMP 2013-2017 to guide execution of sustainable ICT projects which will improve the quality of lives of Nigerians and facilitate socio economic development.

Thus, the Access Gap study was conceptualized and has now culminated in the identification of over 200 subsidy clusters across the six geo political zones which represent the areas where telecommunication services are yet to reach, the Minister noted.

She emphasized that the Ministry, “will also share the results of the study with the Telecoms Operators to enable them get a detailed view of the needs and demands of the market and assist them in developing roll out plans for these unreached areas.