Draft:Universal Service Fund (Pakistan)
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Last edited by HotMess (talk | contribs) 12 days ago. (Update) |
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| Formation | 2006 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Islamabad |
| Location |
|
| Website | https://www.usf.org.pk/ |
The Universal Service Fund (USF) is a Pakistani governmental organization, established to provide access to telecommunication services in under-served and un-served areas.[citation needed] The USF is responsible for implementing policies and programs to promote universal access to affordable and high-quality telecommunications services.[citation needed]
History[edit]
The USF was established in Pakistan in 2006,[citation needed] as a part of the Telecom Policy 2004.[1] The policy aimed to provide telecommunication services to all regions of the country, including remote and under-developed areas. The USF was created as a funding mechanism to achieve this goal by providing financial assistance to telecommunication companies to build infrastructure and provide services in these areas. The USF Fund can consist of grants made by the Federal Government and the Provincial Governments; prescribed contribution by licensees; loans obtained from the Federal Government; and grants and endowments received from other agencies.[2] Currently, USF is funded through a universal service fee, which is a percentage of the revenue earned by telecommunication companies.[citation needed]
Objectives[edit]
The USF has the following objectives:[3][better source needed]
- To promote the development and provision of telecommunication services in un-served and under-served areas of Pakistan.[citation needed]
- To provide access to telecommunication services to people living in rural and remote areas.[citation needed]
- To bridge the digital divide between urban and rural areas.[4]
- To support the development of the telecommunication industry in Pakistan.[citation needed]
Operations[edit]
The USF is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication. The organization is managed by an independent board of directors, which includes representatives from the government, telecommunication companies, and civil society organizations.[citation needed] The board is responsible for developing policies and programs to achieve the objectives of the USF.[5]
The USF provides subsidies to telecommunication companies to establish telecommunication infrastructure and provide services in under-served and un-served areas of Pakistan. The USF has completed numerous projects in different parts of the country to provide telecommunication services to these areas.[example needed] These projects include the establishment of telecommunication infrastructure such as towers, optic fiber cables, and other related equipment.[citation needed]
Impact[edit]
The USF has had a significant[buzzword] impact on the development of telecommunication services in under-served and un-served areas of Pakistan.[6] The establishment of telecommunication infrastructure and provision of services in the rural and remote areas has helped to bridge the digital divide.[by how much?] The USF has also supported the development of the telecommunication industry in Pakistan by promoting competition and innovation.[citation needed]
References[edit]
- ^ "Mobile Cellular Policy" (PDF). 28 January 2004.[dead link]
- ^ "Senate Secretariat: "Questions for Oral Answers and Their Replies"" (PDF). 23 January 2013.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)[dead link] - ^ "Digital Regulation Platform". digitalregulation.org. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
- ^ "Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunications". moitt.gov.pk. Retrieved 2023-04-10.[dead link]
- ^ "Universal Service Fund Rules Amended on SECP Demand". propakistani.pk. 7 March 2023.
- ^ Attaa, Aamir (28 September 2009). "USF Made it Happen: 1 MB DSL for Rs. 299". propakistani.pk.