5 Goals and Objectives Effective and efficient ICT infrastructure (including telecommunications) is essential for increased efficiency of economic, commercial and administrative activities. It also improves the effectiveness of social and emergency services and distributes the social, cultural and economic benefits of the process of development more equitably throughout the country. The goal of the Rural Telecommunication Program is to provide telecommunications services to the rural areas in the most cost effective, efficient, logical and transparent manner possible. The following underlie the objectives of the Rural Telecommunications Program: i) Provide voice and data services ii) Deploy cost effective technology solutions iii) Use appropriate and sustainable funding models iv) Ensure necessary support infrastructure is in place v) Introduce competition in the delivery of services vi) Align and coordinate the provision of services Rural Telecommunications Strategy 26 October 2006 14