II. Electronic Communications Technologies as Basis for Fostering Development of an Information Society As a technological platform necessary for ensuring accessibility of the new e-services and digital contents, and hence overcoming the digital divide as regards access to information, electronic communications have a central role in the creation and the development of the information society. Full liberalization and competition ensure the development of electronic communications, decreasing of tariffs for services and, contrary to monopolistic environments, they are the main instigators of new investments, innovations, i.e. of opening new jobs and of economic development. The measures set forth in this Strategy, are aimed, amongst others, at creating an environment that will foster development of electronic communications in the Republic of Macedonia and consequently at ensuring equal access for all to the communication infrastructures and e-services anticipated with the Strategy for the development of the Information Society. The multi-platform access to the services of the information society and the digital content (that should be guaranteed in the new "digital society"), the challenging conditions for the design and development of traditional telecommunication networks for voice telephony to change to electronic communications infrastructures where killer applications are the e-services and the transfer of digital content. Consequently, standardization, interoperability and security have a crucial role in the development of information and communication technologies in a country. Hence, although this document focuses on the development of electronic communications, because of the converging processes it is inevitable that issues related to information technologies and media are also treated. Taking into consideration that the development of electronic communications networks and services, in particular the fast internet (broadband internet) is the main technological platform for full introduction of the information society, the critical role of this strategy which stresses out the development of broadband fast communication networks is evident. II.1.Existing Legal Framework for Electronic Communications in the Republic of Macedonia The Republic of Macedonia has committed itself to approximate its legislation with the EU acquis on electronic communications. As a result of this commitment, in 2005 the Law on Electronic Communications was enacted that is in full compliance with the 2002 Page 10 of 40