The Universal Service Fund (USF) in Kenya aims to expand access to communication services. It was established by the Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Act of 2009 and 2013. The USF is administered by the Communications Authority of Kenya. Its objectives include increasing access for vulnerable groups, expanding infrastructure in rural areas, facilitating access to content, and supporting education and health organizations. An access gap study in 2010 identified gaps in voice, data, postal services, and ICT capacity. Pilot projects established ICT centers, laboratories, and a disabilities web portal. Updated studies in 2013 and a national broadband strategy aimed to further close the access gaps through projects targeting universal basic mobile service, community broadband, capacity building, and content development

1. Universal Service Fund

2. Contents
1. USF Legal Provisions,
2. Objectives of the Fund
3. USF Access Gaps
4. Pilot Projects
5. Updating the Access Gaps
6. Target Programs
7. Activities Summary

3. The Legal Provisions
1
2
4
Created the Universal Service Fund (USF)
The Fund complements private sector initiatives
towards UA
Communications Authority of Kenya - administer
and Manage the Fund3
The Kenya Information and Communications
(Amendment) Act, 2009 and 2013, Section 84J;

4. Objectives of USF
1.Ensure availability of
communication services to Persons
with Disabilities, women and other
vulnerable groups
2. Promote communications
infrastructure rollout in rural and remote
areas

5. Objectives of USF Cont’d
3. Facilitate development of and
access to a wide range of local and
relevant content
4. Support expansion of communication
services to schools, health facilities and
other organizations serving public
needs

6. Objectives of USF Cont’d
5. Support Development of capacity
building in ICTs and technological
innovation among the youth
• The Fund to support young people’s
quick adoption of new technologies
• Provide start up capital to youth-led
innovative projects
• Provide incentives for local content
developers
• Identify and nurture young local ICT
champions

7. Access Gaps in 2010
USF Target Gaps Strategy Est Cost
Voice Gaps 1,119 sub-locations New base stations US$ 169 M
Data Gaps 4,374 sub-locations Upgrade base stations to
3G (2100 MHz
Install new base stations
with 3G (900 MHz)
US$ 687 M
Postal 147 establish sub-
post offices
Increasing sub-post
offices
US$ 6 M
ICT Capacity
Building
1,413 ICT centres Establish ICT centre US$ 14.3 M
Fibre connections 16 County
headquarters
Connect the 16 County
headquarters
US$ 6.8
Total US$ US$883.1

8. Pilot Projects
Established five ICT community
centers in Sirisia, Mutomo,
Koibatek, Chwele and Mbooni in
collaboration with local partners
Established ICT laboratories in 16
secondary schools in collaboration
with the Ministry of Education

9. Established ICT laboratories in 8
schools for Persons with Disabilities
Web portal for PWDS in collaboration
with the NCPWD.
http://www.kenyadisability.or.ke/
Pilot Projects contd…….

10. 1. Demand Side Survey: National ICT Survey 2. Access Gap Study
Deliverables Deliverables
• Latest demand side statistics
• Publish latest ICT National Survey
Updated Access gap report
Partnership between CA and Kenya National
Bureau of Statistics
Measure ICT access and usage at the
Household and Individual levels
Measure utilization level of ICTs in all counties
Sample size is 26,025 households
3,800 Personnel
Duration: 5 Months
International Tender for Consultancy
 Determine communication Access Gap
 Funding required for subsidy
 Estimate the time for closing gaps
Duration: 14 Months
Updating the Gaps

11. Extend Network Roll out based on spectrum waiver
Extend Network roll out based on subsidy upon completion
Access Gap Study
Provide full-service broadband connectivity, services,
and facilities in two Counties (Marsabit and Tana River)
Establish community Internet Centers (CIC) in 46 Public
Libraries with the Kenya National Library Services
Establish CIC in public institutions within the two counties
CIC in public Postal Outlets
Support digitisation of Primary School Content
Support awareness on digital content
Support application development for accessibility of content
Projects
Universal Basic Mobile Service
Community Broadband/ Internet
Access
Capacity Building
Content and Applications
Development
Program
Target Programs 2014 – 2019

12. Activities Summary
Universal Access
Study of 2004
2006
 Established statistics unit
 Initiated over 38 Pilot projects
in schools, Telecenters, PWDs
schools,
 Digitization of the KCSE
curriculum
 Strengthening ARV reporting in
all public health facilities in
Nairobi
• 2010 - 11
National ICT
Survey
• Access Gap
Study
• 2013 USF
implementation
strategy
• 2012 – 13
National
Broadband
Strategy
2009
USF public
Consultation
 2009- Legal and
Regulatory
framework for
the USF
• Appointment of
9 USAC
members

13. Thank you