1. Universal Access Rules Public Consultation Workshop Bairiki, Tarawa
12 December 2014

2. Universal Access Rules
CCK’s Legal Mandate
The Communications Act 2012 requires the Commission to establish a Universal Access Fund to increase access to communications services in Kiribati
The purpose of these Universal Access Rules is to:
Explain how the Fund will be administered
Describe the services and projects that can be funded
Develop the procedures for awarding financial aid to qualified persons and service providers
Explain how claims for payment will be processed
9/22/2018
Universal Access Rules

3. What is a Universal Access Fund?
A Universal Access Fund provides financial support for service providers, like TSKL and others so that they can provide communications services to specific individuals and geographical communities that are not profitable
A Universal Access Fund should help close the gap between people who have access to communications services and those who do not
close the gap between people who have communications services and those who do not
Waiting to use the phone in Abemama
9/22/2018
Universal Access Rules

4. Universal Access Rules
Mobile and Internet Coverage in Kiribati 2014
3G Coverage: South Tarawa (4G in Bairiki) and Kirimati
2G Coverage: North Tarawa, Abaiang, Marakei, Maiana,
North Tabiteuea, Onotoa
VSAT Internet Services available at Outer Island Councils: Makin, Abemama, Nonouti, S. Tabiteuea, Beru, Nikunau, Onotoa, Tamana, Arorae
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Universal Access Rules

5. Where will the money come from?
The Communications Act says monies for a Universal Access Fund can come from the following sources:
Levies collected from subscribers
Grants, donations, or loans from any international organization or donor
Any monies that the Commission receives in excess of its approved budget for a given year
Any monies received as interest on loan repayments
Any monies appropriated by Parliament for the purposes.
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Universal Access Rules

6. Universal Access Projects
Universal Access Plan
Government
Industry
Society
The CCK will develop one or more project plans to support the goals of a 2 year Universal Access Plan
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Universal Access Rules

7. What type of projects can be funded?
Projects must support the goals of a Universal Access Plan and may include but are not limited to:
installation of communications facilities
provision of communications services
support for ICT programs– PCs, devices, local
content and 
training and capacity
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Universal Access Rules

8. Tender Process for Universal Access Projects
The CCK will publish its project plans on its website and in the local press and invite the public to bid for the projects
Each project plan shall:
propose measureable targets that make communications services and ICTs programs more widely available in Kiribati
specify the location of specific islands or communities where the services are to be provided
include the timing by which deployment of services should take place
be realistic and feasible so that the targets can be achieved in the prescribed timeframe
indicate the maximum amount of funding available for the project.
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Universal Access Rules

9. Eligibility: Who can apply for funding?
Any person who meets the eligibility criteria for a given project- both big and small companies
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Universal Access Rules

10. Universal Access Rules
Selection Processes
1. Competitive tender – persons selected on the basis of:
A technically qualified proposal that details how the provision of the service/s will be commercially sustainable after the project completion date
the least amount of subsidy requested
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Universal Access Rules

11. Universal Access Rules
Selection Processes
2. The Commission may also designate a service provider to provide the services where:
no person tenders for such support as part of a competitive tendering process
it rejects the tenders received as part of a competitive tendering process or
the service provider has a market share of a specified communications market equal to or greater than 40 percent.
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Universal Access Rules

12. Universal Access Rules
Payment
Ensuring Results
The Rules require that the Commission make payments from the Fund only for:
Completed contractual project milestones, which must be verified
Net costs incurred in supplying any designated services
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Universal Access Rules

13. Universal Access Rules
Fund Administration
Ensuring Transparency and Accountability
The Rules require the Commission to publish an annual report of the Fund’s activities, including
financial reports (collections, expenditures, reserves, etc…)
description of projects that were funded
performance of any ongoing projects against milestones, project budget, timelines, etc.
any revisions made to project plans
goals and budgets for the coming years.
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Universal Access Rules

14. Universal Access Rules
Next Steps
Finalize the draft Universal Access Rules for CCK Commissioner Approval
Deadline for any written comments is extended to Wednesday the 17th of December
Work with stakeholders to develop and publish a 2 year Universal Access Plan that lays out a strategy for improving access to communications services in Kiribati
Secure needed funding needed to meet the Plan’s goals
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Universal Access Rules

15. Universal Access Rules
Questions and Answers
9/22/2018
Universal Access Rules