electrical power. This policy plays a key role in fostering developments through proactive strategies that promote investment and allow industry to benefit from the rapid pace of technological innovation. Objectives The objectives for supporting infrastructure development are to: • Promote the deployment of advanced communications networks that are universally accessible. • Provide and sustain the diffusion of ICT infrastructure for access to ICT services and products. • Encourage infrastructure sharing among network operators so as to optimise scarce resources. • Create a favourable investment environment for the private sector in the development of ICT, infrastructures. • Endorse competition in the ICT sector so as to increase customer choice, quality and affordability of services. Strategies The strategies for implementing the development of ICTs and Infrastructure are to: • Adopt a technology neutral approach in selecting appropriate, scalable technology needed to build advanced, robust communications networks. • Promote public-private partnerships to mobilise resources needed for infrastructure deployment. • Encourage all public sector institutions to get connected to ICT infrastructure. • Establish efficient and effective broadband connectivity between commercial centres in Lesotho and between Lesotho and the rest of the world. • Encourage lease of backbone communications networks at affordable rates so as to increase the number of service providers and types of services throughout the country. • Encourage the expansion of the national grid in order to support the deployment of ICT infrastructure. ICT Policy for Lesotho 27