PART IV
LICENSED SERVICE PROVIDERS
12.
Telecommunications Licensees and National Operators
(1)
Telecommunications licensees shall have rights and responsibilities for the operation of
telecommunications networks and the provision of telecommunications services in the
Republic of Liberia determined in accordance with this Act, applicable regulations and
telecommunications sector policies, the terms and conditions of their licences and related
decisions, rules and orders issued by the LTA.
(2)
The LTA shall regulate all licensees in a fair and non-discriminatory manner, and in
accordance with the objectives set out in Section 3, the other provisions of this Act and
applicable telecommunications sector policies.
(3)
A licensee may be designated by the LTA to be a “National Operator”. The purpose of
National Operator designation is to ensure that identified national or public interests, such as
the provision of secure telecommunications networks and services to Government
departments, are met and that sector policies are achieved. Designations of National Operator
status may be reviewed, revised or revoked, in accordance with the direction and
consultation procedures described in Section 12(4);
(4)
The particular rights, responsibilities and consequences of being designated a National
Operator shall be defined in directions issued jointly by the Minister and the LTA. Those
directions shall be determined following an assessment of whether market forces are
sufficient to meet the identified national or public interests, including any consultation to be
conducted pursuant to Sections 7(1) or 11(4).
(5)
A National Operator shall not be granted any competitive advantage over other service
providers; and except as otherwise specifically provided in this Act, a National Operator
shall subscribe to and be governed by all provisions of this Act and all regulations, rules and
orders promulgated by the LTA.
13.
Liberia Telecommunications Corporation
(1)
It is hereby recognizes the existence of a corporation to be known and to do business as the
Liberia Telecommunications Corporation (LTC). The capacities and other features of the
(LTC) are identified in Schedule A to this Act.
(2)
As indicated in Schedule A to this Act, the Liberia Telecommunications Corporation is
designated a National Operator as of the commencement date. The Liberia
Telecommunications Corporation’s rights, responsibilities and consequences of being
designated a National Operator shall be defined in directions issued jointly by the Minister
and the LTA pursuant to Section 12 (4).
(3)
As provided for in Section 5 and Schedule B to this Act, the 1973 Act to Amend the Public
Authorities Law to create the Liberia Telecommunication Corporation is amended.
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