Broadcasters excited with Universal Service Fund

\ Broadcasters in the Northern Region say they are excited that they will reach out to many people if the Universal Service Fund comes to fruition.

The fund, which seeks to make information and communication technologies (ICT) accessible to a wide audience at affordable prices, was drafted in line with the provisions of the Communications Act of 2016.

Speaking during a session to solicit views from broadcasters in Mzuzu yesterday, Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) technical adviser on digial migration  Benson Tembo said as far as provision of broadcasting and other ICT services is concerned, the country struggles to reach out to remote areas.

He said Macra seeks to get views from the stakeholders on bridging the digital gap in the country.

Said Tembo: “USF intends to make sure that every Malawian has access to ICT and broadcasting services. We are aware that there are some hard-to-reach areas with no radio or television signals and the fund will help to provide those services.”

Karonga-based Radio Dinasaur acting managing director Alexander Mhango said with the fund, broadcasters will reach more people, especially in rural parts of Karonga and Chitipa where there is hardly radio and television signal.

USF is governed by principles of availability of infrastructure without geographical discrimination accessible to all social groups and affordabile to all. n