Dear Editor,
Improving access to information and communication technologies is crucial for growth in a modern economy. It was on this premise that the Universal Service Fund (USF) was established 10 years ago with the organisation's source of funding coming from a levy on inbound international calls.
During its years of existence the USF has provided several scholarships and financed the the construction of 227 community access points. These are all positive developments. However, the USF can contribute more to Jamaica's development in several ways. With all its achievements, the USF could be doing more to make Jamaica, a hub for innovation.
It is acknowledged that the mandate of the USF is to facilitate access to technology throughout Jamaica. But it must be noted that there is nothing spectacular about a government agency providing a community with a computer centre. The provision of wireless service to schools and universities is a noble endeavour, but this can also be done by a benevolent private sector.
In order to be relevant, the USF will need a more expansive mandate. For example, countries like Australia and Taiwan have created IT-based research organisations to foster technological innovation and tech-based businesses. These organisations even provide contract research for host companies and foreigners for a fee. It would be more beneficial for Jamaica if the USF was transformed into a similar institution. Furthermore, the research output of such an organisation, if commercialised, can encourage the creation of new start-ups.
However, the reality is that it is not politically feasible to change the present system. When the USF builds a computer centre the party in power will gain bragging rights. Therefore, the agency will never become like the foreign organisations mentioned, because its present state makes it easier for politicians to say that they are doing something. Our leaders deliberately decide not to transform Jamaican organisations, since Jamaicans willingly accept platitudes and they do not think expansively.
Lipton Matthews
lo_matthews@yahoo.com
USF mandate can be expanded from political tool
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Improving access to information and communication technologies is crucial for growth in a modern economy. It was on this premise that the Universal Service Fund (USF) was established 10 years ago with the organisation's source of funding coming from a levy on inbound international calls.
During its years of existence the USF has provided several scholarships and financed the the construction of 227 community access points. These are all positive developments. However, the USF can contribute more to Jamaica's development in several ways. With all its achievements, the USF could be doing more to make Jamaica, a hub for innovation.
It is acknowledged that the mandate of the USF is to facilitate access to technology throughout Jamaica. But it must be noted that there is nothing spectacular about a government agency providing a community with a computer centre. The provision of wireless service to schools and universities is a noble endeavour, but this can also be done by a benevolent private sector.
In order to be relevant, the USF will need a more expansive mandate. For example, countries like Australia and Taiwan have created IT-based research organisations to foster technological innovation and tech-based businesses. These organisations even provide contract research for host companies and foreigners for a fee. It would be more beneficial for Jamaica if the USF was transformed into a similar institution. Furthermore, the research output of such an organisation, if commercialised, can encourage the creation of new start-ups.
However, the reality is that it is not politically feasible to change the present system. When the USF builds a computer centre the party in power will gain bragging rights. Therefore, the agency will never become like the foreign organisations mentioned, because its present state makes it easier for politicians to say that they are doing something. Our leaders deliberately decide not to transform Jamaican organisations, since Jamaicans willingly accept platitudes and they do not think expansively.
Lipton Matthews
lo_matthews@yahoo.com
USF mandate can be expanded from political tool
-->