consumers and industry, Government, through the Ministry of Communications, Science
and Technology, shall:
•
Enact new legislation that:
Takes into account the protection of individual privacy, on-line security
and intellectual property rights and copyrights without unduly restricting
public access to information.
Expands the functions of the Lesotho Telecommunications Authority to
include regulatory oversight over the ICT sector.
Mandates that the annual budget of the Regulator be approved by the
Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology and made available
to the public.
Facilitates a fully competitive environment for the ICT sector.
Provides for the flexibility of establishing a multi-utility regulatory body
for the water, transport, energy and ICT sectors, should the need arise.
Establishes a clearly defined relationship between the Government,
regulator, operators/service providers and the public to ensure
accountability and transparency in the regulatory process.
Transfers the oversight of a Universal Service Fund (USF) from the
Regulator to the Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology.
This USF will be established as independent advisory body responsible to
the MCST
•
Develop working definitions of universal access and set targets and timelines for
achieving universal access goals.
•
Develop regulations to establish and operate a Universal Service Fund to support
ICT infrastructure expansion, local content development and access to ICT
services and training.
ICT Policy for Lesotho
34