to ensure harmonization in the spectrum space in line with international practice. 3.6 Institutional Structures 3.6.1 Ministry of Posts & Telecommunications The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MoPT) formulates policy of general applications for sector growth and development. It sets the policy agenda of the sector and collaborates with other GoL institutions, private sector players, civil society organizations and other such stakeholders in developing sector policies. The Ministry is the head of the sector and advises Government of Liberia (GoL) on telecommunications and ICT matters. It represents GoL on ICT policy at international conferences. 3.6.2 Liberia Telecommunications Authority The Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA) is the independent regulatory authority for the sector. Established by the 2007 Telecom Act, its primary responsibility is to implement GoL’s policies on the sector. It is required to, among other duties, develop Regulations, Orders and Rules to govern the sector in implementing National ICT policies. Key among its primary responsibilities are to: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Manage national spectrum in line with ITU regulations; Protect consumer rights and promote competition; Determine essential facilities and develop regulations to govern their use; Develop regulations on co-location and infrastructure sharing; Develop regulations on mobile number portability; Develop regulations on universal access programs; Develop regulations on the use of the Liberia country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD); 8. Ensure that licensing conditions support market expansion; 9. Ensure service affordability and transparency and accountability in the sector; 10. Ensure that ICT equipment imported into the country meets international standards; 11. Provide both market and technical analysis that will assist in making policy decision; 12. Establish quality of service criteria; 13. Represent GoL at local and international forums relating to regulatory issues in ICT; 14. Establish a national ICT statistics repository; 15. Advise the MoPT on emerging policy trends and compliance of operators to ICT policy. 3.6.3 The National Operator, LIBTELCO The GoL owned Liberia Telecommunications Corporation, also known as LIBTELCO was designated as the National Operator under the Telecommunications Act of 2007. What sets the National Operator apart from other operators is its responsibility to provide a secure government network to facilitate internal communication within the civil service. Although Libtelco also currently operates at both the retail and wholesale levels in competing with private operators, this role is currently being evaluated with a view to leveraging GoL’s investment in Libtelco while ensuring continuity in the provision of connectivity services to government. According to the LTA 2016 report, Libtelco has established a fixed network based 24