USF Launch Ceremony, 26th May 2009

The National Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (NTRC) officially launched the Universal Service Fund at a ceremony held at the National Insurance Services (N.I.S) conference room on Tuesday 26th May 2009.
The launch ceremony saw several addresses being made. The Director of the Commission, Mr. Apollo Knights gave an overview of the Universal Service Fund with the feature address been given by   the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr. Hon Ralph E Gonsalves who also officially launched the Fund.

The Commission is currently accepting proposals for projects to be supported by the Universal Service Fund.  Universal Service Fund Project proposal application forms can be downloaded from the Commission’s website or be collected at the offices of the Commission which is located on the second floor of the N.I.S Building at Upper Bay Street. These forms are to be filled out and returned to the Commission. It should be made clear that any stakeholder be it a customer, telecom provider, Ministry or an NGO can prepare project proposals to the Commission for possible funding. Deadlines for the submission of project proposals will be announced within the next two weeks by the commission

After the close of the deadline for the submission of project proposals, the commission will enter into a phase of appraising and selecting projects. Projects will be appraised based on the Priority Goals highlighted in the Universal Service Fund Operating plan for 2009, this Operating Plan will be available for viewing by the public on Friday 29th May 2009. Social and economic cost benefit analysis along with technical feasibility analysis will also be performed. Project(s) will then be chosen to be undertaken for the operating year and soliciting and evaluation of bids will begin.