BACKGROUND

The Universal Service Fund (the Fund) is a fund established under the Communications Act to finance the implementation of universal service projects aimed at making ICT services available and accessible to the whole population by focusing on the rural and non-commercially underserved areas. MACRA has developed project concepts for the improvement of infrastructure for broadcasting, postal and telecommunications sectors. These projects are aimed at addressing inadequacy of infrastructure in the rural and non-commercially underserved areas.

The project concepts are follows:

Rural Telephony Project:

The Project seeks to improve mobile signal coverage in rural and non-commercially underserved areas.

Broadcasting signal coverage:

The project seeks to increase reach and coverage of radio signal to the rural and non-commercially underserved areas.

Mail conveyance Project

The project seeks to promote access of postal and courier services in the rural and non-commercially underserved areas.

Public Wi-FI Project

The project seeks to make broadband services accessible, available and affordable in the non-commercially underserved areas.

Connectivity for Persons with Disability Project

   The project seeks to promote internet access and usage of assistive technologies for persons with disabilities.

School Connectivity Project

The project seeks to promote internet access and usage in the public secondary schools.

MACRA is therefore calling upon all stakeholders to provide their input on these proposed projects.

Other Special Projects

MACRA would also like to request stakeholders to submit relevant universal service project proposals which require universal service fund intervention. The proposals should be in line with the objectives of the Universal Service fund. The submissions for these special projects shall be assessed by MACRA subject to stakeholders input.

Stakeholders are encouraged to respond through email address:

Email: usf@macra.mw

However, hardcopy submissions should be addressed to:

The Director General

Attention: The Head – Universal Service

MACRA House

9 Salmin Amour Road

Ginnery Corner

312225

Blantyre

Email: usf@macra.mw

Submissions should be sent by 28^th August 2020