The policies and instruments used to pursue universal service are diverse, and many different approaches are being tried. There is evidence also of a gradual evolution of ideas as countries assess the experience of others and adapt the options to their own environment. Certainly, much more can be learned from other's experience as the dynamic of the telecommunications sector continues to unfold and evolve toward the Information Society and as desire to harness the benefits for balanced development grows. A strong case can be made for the systematic gathering of such experience and for communicating with other agencies and organizations pursuing similar objectives around the world as ways to enhance efforts in South Africa and elsewhere. Although organizations like the ITU have attempted to assess innovations and disseminate advice on them, the rapid pace of change and the great variety of sources and types of innovation make the task difficult.
Results tend to remain too general to assist specific actions at the national level.
The Universal Service Agency would be well positioned both to gather and to further disseminate such innovations around the world. This process could begin through informal networking, attending conferences, and so forth and through the support of consultants. A promising idea that goes a step further might be to sponsor a large-scale, international conference specifically on this topic, perhaps working with intergovernmental or aid organizations. Not only would useful information be gathered, but the basis for a network for future contacts might be established. Although international conferences on telecommunications following the trail of liberalization have become commonplace around the world, virtually all of these conferences concentrate on opportunities created for international investors and operators and equipment and service providers.