Questions surround future of USF amid reduction in inflows

By Halshane Burke    

 

Questions are swirling about the future of the Universal Service Fund, given the reduction in inflows.

 

Opposition Spokesman on Finance Julian Robinson questioned Finance Minister Fayval Williams on the plan in relation to the funding, given changes in technology and the decrease in tax collection.

 

The USF is funded from the taxes applied to voice calls.

 

Finance Minister Fayval Williams, while admitting that the funding has dwindled, says the responsible minister will speak about the plans for the entity. 

 

"The revenue source to USF has dwindled over the years, because as you know, the revenue source is voice calls and there's been significant change in the technology. Most of us use WhatsApp and use other ways of communicating. So the revenue source to USF has dwindled over the years. This year, we saw where their need for budget support had to be met by the central government. In terms of the future of USF, that is a question for the ministry, for the minister, and I'm sure at the right time, he would be able to speak to that," said Minister Williams, who was speaking during Tuesday's meeting of the Standing Finance Committee of Parliament.

 

The Universal Service Fund falls under the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, led by Minister Daryl Vaz.