Expression of Interest For Technical Assistance To Develop A Universal Access Strategy For Madagascars Ict Development Fund

Expression of Interest are invited for Technical Assistance to Develop a Universal Access Strategy for Madagascars ICT Development Fund The World Bank is supporting the Government of Madagascar to address structural issues in the telecommunications sector, create a level playing field for private operators and encourage investment to develop digital access and inclusion. In this context, the World Bank proposes to use trust funds from the PPIAF (Public Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility) to recruit a firm to support a technical analysis of needs and models for universal access and the preparation of an access strategy and universal service, with concrete actions to be implemented by the Fonds de Développement des TIC (FDTIC). The Consultants will work in close collaboration and report to the Ministry in charge of Digital Development and telecommunications regulatory authority. The overall objective of this mission is to support universal service reform and solidify the foundations for the operationalization of the FDTIC through a series of technical analyses on universal service incentive models and mechanisms to be implemented in collaboration with the government and the private sector. These will include: Evaluate the current framework for universal service provision, including the involvement of private sector operators, taking into account the characteristics of the Malagasy telecommunications market and the needs of users in rural and low-income areas. Develop methods and provisions to enable private operators to provide services to rural and low-income households as part of the universal access policy, and determine the required incentive mechanisms. Define a universal access and service strategy, setting out the governments vision, objectives, and implementation roadmap for guaranteeing widespread access to ICT services in Madagascar. Develop a strategic framework for the FDTIC that will detail the FDTICs priority actions and projects over a 5-year horizon, aligned with the national universal access strategy. Suggest other aspects to be taken into account to promote digital adoption and inclusion, particularly in rural areas and for the most vulnerable populations. Tender Link : https://wbgeprocure-rfxnow.worldbank.org/rfxnow/public/advertisement/4649/view.html