USA is a statutory body established in 1997, in terms of the Telecommunication Act with the responsibility for ensuring universal access to telecommunication services. Universal access is initially defined as a telephone within a reasonable distance, but a more realistic goal is to provide telecommunications where everyone in the country can have access within 30 minutes' travelling. USA was also tasked with monitoring Universal Service Obligation of the three network operators; managing the Universal Service Fund; managing the roll-out of telecentres on a national scale.