It has been reported that the Nigerian USPF ("which is a special fund set up by the Federal Government under the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, designed to provide telecommunications and ICT services to un-served, under-served and deprived groups and communities in the country") will under its new five year Strategic Management Plan (SMP), build 1000 BTS per year and also lay 15,0000 kms of OFC . It will afurther create Internet POPs in 25 clusters by 2017.
The previous SMP which ended in 2011 revealed lessons that are perhaps common across the globe. These include use of bidding for transparency, the need to "follow an integrated approach to project strategy and execution would lead to increased participation of industry operators; ensure implementation of well-planned and adaptable projects that suits a variety of ICT schemes.." etc.
The problem with the earlier SMP include that,
“...[P]rojects were designed and defined using a ‘one size fits all’ approach, thus USP intervention, in some cases, did not directly address the specific needs of the beneficiaries, among others challenges,” as stated by partner KPMG chief said.
I have written about this earlier as for example at http://ictsforall.blogspot.in/2013/07/usof-indias-unspent-balance-under.html.
Many of these thoughts are echoed in ITU's discussion paper on Universal Service Funds for the Global Symposium for Regulators 2013. (Please see http://ictsforall.blogspot.in/search/label/GSR%202013.) This paper has outlined 12 success factors for effectiveness of USFs including policy and regulation, lexibility, transparency & accountability, active participation & inputs from all stakeholders, comprehensiveness of projects to cover all sustainability elements etc. I will write more about this soon.
