| Brazil's President da Silva has called for resources from the US$ 1.7 billion telecommunications universal service fund (FUST) to be used for digital inclusion programs.
All Brazilian telecom operators contribute to FUST through monthly payments equivalent to 1% of revenues. The telecommunications regulator Anatel is responsible for collecting the contributions. FUST was established in 2001 to finance telecom access to low-income groups, schools, hospitals, libraries and remote locations. However, the funds are not available because of conflicting legal interpretations about how to use the resources.
Anatel president Elifas Gurgel do Amaral recently said the big question about universal service programs is not about how to fund them, but how to disburse those funds, which means waiting for public policy decisions.
Source: Business News Americas - WDR/Intelecon Regulatory News |