THE Universal Service Provision (USP) programme, which began in 2002, is aimed at bridging the digital divide between the urban and rural population. The USP fund was established under Section 204 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 to implement network facilities and provide network services in underserved areas and communities.
Regulation 27 of the USP Regulations requires all licensees under the act, except for Content Application Service Providers, whose weighted net revenue exceeds RM2 million to contribute six per cent of their revenue derived from designated services to the fund.
The initiatives under the USP programme are aimed at addressing the digital divide and preventing people living in the rural areas from being further marginalised from the nation's development and information, communications and technology progress.
It began with basic telephony projects. Since 2002, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has identified 462 underserved areas in the country for the purpose of implementing telephony, broadband and cellular access projects.
The MCMC said prior to 2008, the main focus of the USP programme was to build communication infrastructure but due to progress in technology and consumer demand, the shift is towards addressing content, access and application use as well as affordability of communications and multimedia services.
The MCMC said it was strictly guided by the requirements of the Communications and Multimedia (Universal Service Provision) Regulations 2002 in managing the USP fund.
The USP Regulations also require that MCMC publish the USP annual report which details the audited accounts, financial notes and investments under the USP programme.
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