Ministry plans new fund to boost network coverage in remote areas

Problems of poor network coverage in remote parts of the country may be a thing of the past if a plan by the government is successful.

Through the Ministry of Information and Communications, the government plans to set up a fund that will be focused on ensuring better internet and telephone network coverage in the areas.

The fund to be set up under the Universal Service/Access Funds (USF) model will involve operators contributing a percentage of their profits to a central fund managed by the Communication Commission of Kenya.

The funds will be used to improve infrastructure in areas currently marginalised because of their non-profitability.

According to minister Samuel Poghisio, residents of most rural areas have been left behind in terms of access to telecommunication services because of their locations.

“Such areas can’t attract business. If you ask operators to put up infrastructure in far-flung areas such as Lokichogio, they will think of the profitability first. But the residents still have the right to be covered,” he said.

“We want broadband and mobile telephony to be a human right for all and those living up north should access the same services as those living in urban areas,” he said.

Players met last week in Nairobi under the sponsorship of Intel to discuss ways of implementing the fund in Kenya.

Mr Ralph Corey, the director of Intel World Ahead Programme, said the aim of the two-day meeting was to bring together experts from various countries to share their knowledge on USF.

“Our aim is to work with government regulatory agencies to strategically invest USF funds to provide real solutions to people in the countries,” he said, adding that opening up of rural areas to ICT services will help facilitate economic growth and community empowerment.

Broadband access and ICT networks enable delivery of information, goods and services that stimulate economic growth and help domestic businesses.

Increasingly marginalised

“Without such access, remote communities risk becoming increasingly marginalised and lacking in essential educational, medical, government, e-commerce and social services,” said Mr Poghisio.

The minister warned operators that they will be required to offer quality services in all the areas they operate. He accused some operators of having strong presence in urban areas and neglecting the rural areas.

“Such operators will be in for a rude shock. They will be required to maintain the same quality of service everywhere,” he said adding that the government will embark on a programme of sensitizing users to ensure they get the value for their money.

In 2004, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), based in Addis Ababa, suggested the use of the Universal Access Fund approach, where the telecommunications operators and ISPs (Internet service providers) contribute money in a common fund as a way of improving ICT access in the continent.