No. 34
Communications
“universal service” means a defined set of products and
communications services of a general public interest to which
customers are entitled to use without discrimination in terms of
accessibility, price and quality;
15
“Universal Service Fund” means the Fund established under
section 157; and
“Universal Service Fund Committee” means the committee to
be established by the Authority under section 159.
PART II__ThE MALAwI COMMUNICATIONS REgULATORy AUThORITy
4.__(1) There is hereby established an authority to be known as
the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority.
(2) The Authority shall__
Establishment
of the
Authority
(a) be a body corporate with perpetual succession and shall
have a common seal;
(b) be capable of suing and being sued in its corporate name;
(c) be capable of acquiring and disposing of any moveable or
immoveable property and do such things and perform such acts
as bodies corporate may, by law, do or perform; and
(d) perform such functions and exercise such powers as are
conferred by this Act.
5.__(1) The Authority may, where necessary, seek the general
direction of the Minister as to the manner in which it is to carry out
its duties under this Act.
(2) The directions given by the Minister under subsection (1)
shall be in writing and shall be published in the Gazette.
(3) Except as provided for under this Act or any other law,
the Authority shall be independent in the performance of its
functions.
6.__(1) The Authority shall regulate and monitor the provision of
communications services and ensure that, as far as it is practicable,
reliable and affordable communications services are provided
throughout Malawi and are sufficient to meet the demand for
such services in accordance with the principles of transparency, certainty, market orientation, efficiency, and consumer
satisfaction.
(2) Notwithstanding the generality of, and subject to the
principles referred to in, subsection (1), the Authority shall__
Ministerial
policy
directions
duties,
functions and
powers of the
Authority