47 “Ministry” means the ministry responsible for the administration of this Promulgation; “number portability” means the ability of consumers to change service provider without having to change their telephone numbers; “radio communication” means any telecommunications by means of electromagnetic waves; “service provider” means any person or entity providing a telecommunications service; “spectrum” means the continuous range of electromagnetic wave frequencies; “spectrum licence” means an authorisation to use radio spectrum issued under Division 2 of Part 3; “telecommunications” means the conveyance of one or more of the following— {@) speech, music or other sounds; (b) visual images; (c) _ signals serving for the imparting of any matter otherwise than in the form of sounds or visual images; (d) _ signals serving for the actuation or control of machinery or apparatus, from one device to another, through the agency of electric, magnetic, electromagnetic, electrochemical or electro mechanical energy, or by means of fibre optic technology, or any other means or form of conveyance that may be developed in the future; “telecommunications apparatus” means apparatus used in transmitting or receiving telecommunications that is conveyed by means of a telecommunications network; “telecommunications network” means transmission systems, switching or routing equipment and other resources which permit the conveyance of telecommunications; “telecommunications policy” means any existing telecommunications policy approved by the Cabinet and includes the universal service policy; “telecommunications service” means any service that enables or facilitates telecommunications; “Tribunal” means the Telecommunications Appeal Tribunal established by section 61; “universal service” means a universal service scheme devised under Division 4 of Part 3; “<mniversal service area” means a universal service area declared under section 49; “universal service benefit” means a universal service benefit devised under section 51; and “universal service obligation” means an obligation undertaken by or imposed on a licensee to provide services under section 50. Objectives of the Promulgation 3. The objectives of this Promulgation are to provide a regulatory framework for telecommunications that promotes the long term interests of end users of telecommunications services, or of services provided by means of telecommunications services, and the efficiency and international competitiveness of the telecommunications industry in Fiji and, as consistently with that objective as is practicable— (a) to provide rapid expansion of reliable and as affordable as possible telecommunications services on an (b) {c) {d} equitable basis, with particular improvement in rural areas; to promote efficient investment and innovation in telecommunications networks and services; to provide fair competition among service providers and allowing market forces to operate; and to provide and promote appropriate consumer protection and other safeguards in relation to telecommunications services where market forces are insufficient. PART 2—MANAGEMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS Division I — Responsibility of the Minister Functions of the Minister 4.—(1) functions— For the purpose of carrying into effect the objectives in section 3, the Minister has the following