World Telecom Labs Surveys Beams Light On Nigeria, Other USPFs

World Telecom Labs (WTL) on Monday launched an online survey to identify voice and/or data deployments in Africa that have been financed by Universal Service (provision) Funds (USPF) - and to identify where improvements can be made in the management of USF.

WTL is inviting people from across the telecoms ecosystem including vendors, operators and ISPs, NGOs and Government Officials to complete the nine-question survey which can be found at http://www.wtl.be/usf

In September 2014 the GSMA published its Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) – USF survey which examined USFs in 23 SSA countries and found that “there are significant deficiencies in fund structure, management and operation” of the USFs.

The survey also said that “project and financial reporting (transparency) for most funds are extremely inadequate.”

However, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa were highlighted as countries that have already, or are trying to, re-structure their funds and adopt best practice.

Leigh Smith, MD of WTL, said “Since launching our Vivada (Village Voice and Data) system last year we have had a lot of contact with operators building networks in rural Africa, with and without money from USF.

We thought it would be interesting to get an up-to-date view on how USF is working. We hope that the survey will highlight positive examples of how USF have been spent as well as ideas for how the process can be improved.  We will share the results with regulators across Africa.”

WTL has built a number of networks in rural Africa financed by USF and has seen for itself the immense benefits USF can bring, irrespective of its challenges. In particular, the deployment of WTL’s Vivada (Village Voice and Data) system in rural Tanzania is an example of a strong and productive use of USF funds.

AMOTEL, Tanzania’s first MVNO operating through Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL), the country’s national telecom company, is initially deploying WTL’s Vivada system to build low OPEX, low-CAPEX networks in three villages that are not currently covered by any kind of network.

The proof of concept project is being financed by the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF) as part of its US$9.6 million investment to improve connectivity in Tanzania, which was announced last year.

USPF- Nigeria
The USPF Nigeria’s programmes consist of a group of related projects managed in a coordinated way and are focused on realising outcomes, benefits and achievements related to the key objectives of providing universal access and service to underserved and unserved groups and communities across the country.

The concept of providing universal service and access is underpinned by the following principles:

Availability: the same level of telecoms service is available for all users in their place of work or residence, at all times and without geographical discrimination.

Affordability: the price of the service should not be a factor that limits service access for all users.

Accessibility: all telephone subscribers should be treated in a non-discriminatory manner with respect to the price, service and quality of the service, without distinction or discrimination.

At its inception in 2006, the USPF developed a 5-year Strategic Management Plan (SMP) covering 2007 – 2011 which focus area was expansion of ICT services in unserved/under-served areas and groups across the country.

In 2012, following the expiration of the first SMP, the Board and Management of the USPF developed a new 5-year SMP (2013 – 2017) which leveraged on the experiences and lessons over the past years.

The programmes of the Fund were designed and streamlined to focus on two broad areas – Access and Connectivity. Specific corresponding projects were also designed to be implemented under the programmes.

World Telecom Labs (WTL)
Headquartered in Belgium with offices in Nigeria, Brazil and the UK, WTL helps operators in emerging markets to deploy cost-effective, reliable voice and data networks for both rural and urban environments.

WTL’s innovative, practical and cost-effective portfolio includes its: Vivada (Village Voice and Data), specifically developed so that operators large and small can build low OPEX, low-CAPEX networks for all types of pre and post-paid customers with varying telecoms budgets including GSM for every type of handset; Wifi connectivity for smartphones, tablets, laptops and PCs - and connectivity to cybercafés and hotspot call cabins.

Vivada includes a micro GSM base station, wifi routers and modems, backhaul integration, billing software, VoIP switches and an SMS server; award-winning range of VoIP and hybrid VoIP/TDM switches which have been specifically designed to replace the huge, expensive, maintenance-heavy switches that have traditionally been used to transfer VoIP traffic onto other networks.

Also, a pre-paid applications and signalling gateways for emerging carriers and telecom service operators.