Telcos, State reach deal over management of Universal Service Fund

A subscriber checks his messages on his smartphone in Laikipia County after getting network signal. He has to walk five kilometres from his village to access the mobile network.  [ PHOTO BY STANDARD]

Kenya: Laws governing the Universal Service Fund, meant for installing communication services in marginalised areas will soon be amended to allow the participation of local telecommunication firms.

This follows an agreement reached between ICT Minister Dr Fred Matiang'i, Universal Service Advisory Council (USAC) Chairperson Catherine Nga'hu and Telecommunication Service Providers Association of Kenya (TESPOK) to allow telecommunication companies to sit on the council-an agency formed by the government to manage the funds.