USAASA seeks definitions

By Damaria Senne, ITWeb senior journalist

Johannesburg, 22 Jan 2008

The Universal Service and Access Agency of SA (USAASA) has appointed three service providers to review definitions for universal service delivery and infrastructure provision, through contracts collectively worth R2.25 million.

The companies awarded the tenders are BMI-TechKnowledge (R1 386 000), to review universal service obligations given to communication licensees; Vuvuzela Communications (R454 302), for the supply of ICT kiosks in under-serviced areas; and Amandla Communications (R410 400), to define needy persons and under-serviced areas.

USAASA advertised the tenders at the beginning of December. The Electronic Communications Act of 2005 stipulates the agency is obligated to determine from time to time what constitutes universal service and universal access in SA. The appointment of these companies will assist in delivering on this mandate, says CEO James Theledi.

"Our view is that the old definitions were based on voice and fixed-line services and, as SA enters a converged environment, the definitions need to be revised to take into account data and broadcasting services," he says.

The exercise will also provide policy-makers and the industry a clearer sense of what is universal service and access beyond the old definitions that relied on voice and fixed-line penetration, he says.

Consolidating activities

Theledi says part of the exercise will be to consolidate the licensed communications providers' universal service obligations activities, especially in schools. The operators currently fulfil their obligations in a haphazard manner, he says.

As there is no clear definition of what universal service and access is, people start arguing about what services should be included when providing schools connectivity, Theledi adds.

"We also find that operators fight for urban schools, because access to these schools translates into increased demand for their services and revenue."

Theledi says another problem the agency faces is that operators charge different rates for the services they provide to the schools. "As we talk about universal service obligations, we will also have to talk about the applied e-rate," he says. "We have to standardise pricing in the industry."

USAASA would also like to collaborate with communications providers to provide free services in needy communities where students cannot even afford to pay school fees.

"The Department of Education has a list of schools that are non-fee-paying, so we would coordinate with them to identify these schools."

Encouraging entrepreneurship

Theledi says USAASA still has to identify areas in which it will roll-out ICT kiosks. The kiosks will provide access to the Internet, business plans, business cards and e-mail.

"We want to see if we can't add other relevant content such as educational and business information. We need to identify community needs so we can configure the services and content to their needs," he says.