“telecommunications network” means any wire, radio, optical or other electromagnetic system for routing, switching or transmitting telecommunications services between network termination points; “telecommunications service” means any provision of the voice and data transmission; SIM cards and Pre-paid accessories; equipments and facilities to customers; or any form of transmission of signs, signals, text, images or other intelligence by means of a telecommunications network, but does not include a broadcasting service; “universal access” means ensuring the provision of telecommunications services and telecommunications facilities to residents and other members of the general public in Liberia, in accordance with a universal access policy developed and approved pursuant to Section 22; and “Universal Access Fund” means the fund established pursuant to Section 23. (2) The use of the masculine gender denotes the feminine gender, and the use of the singular denotes the plural where appropriate. (3) References to any other laws or regulations shall be interpreted as references to those laws or regulations as amended or replaced from time to time. (4) As indicated by the definitions and other provisions set out in this Act, telecommunications includes the transmission of broadcasting services using any form of telecommunications; and the transmission of broadcasting services is a telecommunications activity subject to this Act. Broadcasting services remain subject to any other content or programming related regulation, under otherwise applicable laws, regulations, standards or guidelines. (5) The delivery of data or information, including audio-visual or multi-media content, by means of Internet Protocol telecommunications networks, and any use of Internet Protocol telecommunications networks for public voice telephony services, are subject to regulation under this Act as a telecommunications activity. Any data, information or content so delivered remain subject to otherwise applicable laws, regulations, standards or guidelines. 3. Objectives of this Act The objectives of this Act are to: (a) facilitate development of the telecommunications sector in order to promote social and economic development throughout Liberia; (b) promote the efficient and reliable provision of telecommunications services, relying as much as possible on market forces such as competition and private sector investment to achieve this objective;