“radiocommunication” means any communication by means of radio waves; “radio waves” means electromagnetic waves of frequencies arbitrarily lower than 3000 GHz propagated in space without artificial guide; “telecommunication” means the emission, transmission, or reception, through the agency of electricity or electromagnetism, of any sounds, signs, signals, writing, images, or intelligence of any nature by wire, radio, optical, or other electromagnetic systems, whether or not such signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, or intelligence have been subjected to rearrangement, computation, or other processes by any means in the course of their transmission, emission, or reception; “telecommunication line” means any wire, cable, equipment, tower, mast, antenna, tunnel, hole, pit, pole, or other structure or thing used or intended to be used in connection with a telecommunication system; “telecommunication system” means equipment for telecommunication. General Objectives 3.(1) Telecommunications perform an essential role in the economic and social development of Kiribati. (2) The purposes of this Act therefore include — (a) promoting the development of telecommunication systems and services, as far as practicable, in accordance with recognised international standards, practices and public demand; (b) providing basic telecommunication services to as many people as practicable in Kiribati at affordable prices; (c) protecting the interests of consumers, purchasers and other users of telecommunication systems and services; (d) promoting efficiency and competition among persons engaged in the operation of telecommunication systems and services; (e) promoting research in telecommunications and fostering innovation in the provision of telecommunication services; (f) encouraging the introduction of new services; (g) fostering the development of human resources in the telecommunication sector; (h) promoting the effective and efficient use of the radio frequency spectrum; and (i) creating a regulatory environment that will ensure the achievement of the purposes identified in paragraphs (a) to (h). Part II – Telecommunications Authority of Kiribati The Authority 4.(1) The Telecommunications Authority of Kiribati is established for the purposes of this Act. (2) The Authority shall consist of a Chairman and such other members not being less than 5, as the Minister may from time to time determine. (3) The provisions of Schedule 1 relating to the appointment and remuneration of members of the Authority and to the procedure of and other similar matters concerning the Authority shall have effect with respect to the Authority. Functions and Powers of Authority 5.(1) For the purpose of achieving the objectives referred to in section 3 the Authority shall: (a) take steps to ensure that telecommunication systems and services in Kiribati are operated in a manner that will best serve and contribute to the country’s economic and social development; (b) grant licences for telecommunication systems and services and supervise and enforce compliance with the conditions of licences; 5 5