http://www.nation.co.ke/business/Telcos-to-pay-more-for-ICT-access-fund/-/99... Telecom firms will need to dig deeper into their pockets to fund a Sh100 billion programme aimed at providing ICT services in marginalised areas. Canadian firm Intelecon Research and Consultancy Ltd, which is carrying out a new study on ICT access gaps on behalf of the Communications Authority (CA), said operators have so far contributed only Sh2.9 billion against the target. The firm will deliver to the CA the results of the study by February 2016, when the programme is expected to be formally launched. The study, which is benchmarked against best practices in Uganda, Tanzania and Pakistan, will help the CA to implement the Universal Service Fund (USF) that aims to close the ICT access gap in the country. Intelecon is expected to develop an interactive online portal showing where the gaps exist as well as determine the exact cost of rolling out the services. “USF levies will total Sh6.9 billion to Sh10 billion in the next 10 years,” stated the Intel -- ______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya twitter.com/lordmwesh