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The success was mainly accrued when the entire ecosystem of last-mile connectivity
was targeted and funded in partnership with concerned ministries, strengthening their
delivery systems through the innovative application of ICTs
And, most of the funds were allocated through competitive bidding processes where
transparency and fair means of allocating subsidy were achieved. Competition also
helped to provide incentives for innovation and for minimising the cost.
The session also included highlights of some of the existing and new initiatives in Myanmar
undertaken by UNOPS, Ooredoo, Telenor, IREX, MPT, Ericsson and Unesco. The session
concluded with stories from Intelecon’s visits to rural areas to assess the service gaps, as well
as the early impacts of ICTs wherever available.
Discussions with the stakeholders were helpful in identifying the following success factors of
USFs:
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Practical, feasible step by step approach
Good governance and political support
Proper consultation with all stakeholders
Industry participation
Competitive tendering – open/transparent distribution mechanisms
Combination with innovative regulations
Separate specific USF bank account
Transparency: published annual accounts and reports
Sunset clauses
The consultants also shared the intended methodology, process and the timelines for
developing the strategy:
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First phase: Strategy development, which will blend infrastructure and service build-out
while also supporting capacity building initiatives. As a tangible output, among others,
the project shall develop guidelines for establishing the fund and its governance and
operating procedures.
Second phase: Implementation of a number of pilot projects, and monitoring and
evaluation with a view to assess early benefits for citizens.
To achieve the above, the project aims to assess the extent of telecom coverage and analyse
the needs there exist in rural and remote locations. For this, the project consultants shall
engage with the industry, the A4AI-Myanmar coalition, and the various other stakeholders over
the next three years.