transparent, non-discriminatory, inexpensive and
competitively neutral.
(2) Subsidies can be provided using several
means, including
(a) a universal service fund, which should
be developed as a mechanism within a
broader market-oriented
approach
to
achieving universal access and which can
be financed by a broad range of market
players, managed by a neutral body, and
be used to kick-start
public
access
projects that meet the needs of the local
community;
(b) a full range of other financing mechanisms;
(c) competitive minimum subsidy auctions
which may be used, as an option, to
reduce the amount of financing necessary
for public access projects financed by a
universal service fund; and
(d) public access projects, which can be
designed to achieve long-term financial
where
self
sustainability,
especially
consideration is given to innovative lowcost technologies.
Universal
service fund
117. (1) The Minister may establish a Fund to
finance projects to provide telephone, internet and
associated services to areas which, for some
reasons, are not attractive to private sector
investors.
(2) If established, the sources of the Fund shall
consist of
(a) such levies from information and commu
nications systems and services operators
as the Authority may from time to time,
specify;
(b) grants, donations and endowments that
may
be received within and outside The
Gambia;
115