The radio spectrum is therefore a very important economic resource that must be effectively managed and efficiently used. Antigua and Barbuda will modernize its spectrum management by: 1) The creation of a professional regulatory authority mandated to allocate and manage the spectrum; 2) Development and maintenance of a strategic legal and technical framework that ensures: a. Timely access to spectrum for new services and technologies; b. Spectrum use, which is economically and technically administered in an efficient manner; 3) Consultations with the users of the spectrum and the wider public on the development of the strategic framework that is to be pursued; 4) and compliance with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) standards; [For an in-depth discussion on the topic and strategies being pursued please reference the Antigua and Barbuda Spectrum Management Plan – Schedule A] NUMBERING The Importance of Numbering A key component to the emergence of the Information Society and the creation of the Global village is efficient telecommunication service. Such service is dependent on the efficient allocation of numbers, which are a scarce resource. Numbers are used to identify Network Termination points and these points are used to: o Connect Customer Premise Equipment (eg. telephone, fax machine, etc.) o Provide access to Network Services. Interconnect with other private networks. Number codes are important as they are used by Network Operators for routing calls, tariffs, geographic and service type locators. 15