Universal Service Fund

Introduction:
Pursuant to section 43 of the Telecommunications Act 31 of 2000, There shall be established a Fund to be known as the Universal Service Fund, which Fund shall be managed by the Commission in accordance with the Telecommunications (Universal Service Fund) Regulations SRO 21 of 2009

What is Universal Service Fund?
The Fund established for the promotion of Universal Service.
Universal Service includes the provision of:

1. Public voice telephony.
2. Internet access.
3. Telecommunication services to schools, hospitals and similar institutions, and the disabled and physically challenged.
4. Other services by which people access efficient, affordable and modern telecommunications.

The Fund will encourage efficient access to, and use of the telecommunication networks and services throughout Grenada, with special focus on rural, under- served and maritime areas, with a goal to help promote social, educational and economic development.

The Fund will also ensure the reasonable availability and affordability of basic and advanced telecommunications services, where commercial telecommunications market may be unable to deliver such services in a financially, viable manner independently, and also to the physically challenged, elderly and indigent communities.

The Fund Shall Consist of:

1. Contributions by telecommunications providers as specified under the Act and by Order of the Minister;
   
2. Any funds that may be directly appropriated by Parliament for purposes of the Fund; and
   
3. Official grants, donations, bequests or other contributions, or transfers granted by an individual or other legal entity

Purpose of the Fund
The Fund shall be used by the Commission, on the recommendation of ECTEL, to compensate any telecommunications provider who is required to provide universal service by virtue of section 42 of the Act or to otherwise promote universal service.

Defining Fund Projects
The Commission shall establish criteria, in accordance with the Guidelines for determining the scope and nature of projects that may be eligible for Fund support in any given financial year. The Commission shall determine which proposed projects shall receive financial support from the Fund in any given financial year.

Proposals for Fund Projects.
A person may submit a proposal for a Fund project, according to procedures and formats to be set forth by the Commission in the Guidelines. The Fund Administrator shall request and receive project proposals for review.

Management of the Fund
As of the 17th April 2009, the Telecommunications (Universal Service Fund) Regulations 2009 were gazetted and came into operation. The aim of these Regulations is to provide for the efficient and effective management of the Universal Service Fund. The Regulations govern the way in which the Fund is managed. Along with these Regulations, there is the Universal Service Guidelines which, under Section 7 of the Telecommunication (Universal Service Fund) Regulations, have been issued and implemented for the proper operation of the fund. These Guidelines are an indication of policy and procedure that must be followed in the operation of the Fund.