consumers and industry, Government, through the Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology, shall: • Enact new legislation that: ƒ Takes into account the protection of individual privacy, on-line security and intellectual property rights and copyrights without unduly restricting public access to information. ƒ Expands the functions of the Lesotho Telecommunications Authority to include regulatory oversight over the ICT sector. ƒ Mandates that the annual budget of the Regulator be approved by the Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology and made available to the public. ƒ Facilitates a fully competitive environment for the ICT sector. ƒ Provides for the flexibility of establishing a multi-utility regulatory body for the water, transport, energy and ICT sectors, should the need arise. ƒ Establishes a clearly defined relationship between the Government, regulator, operators/service providers and the public to ensure accountability and transparency in the regulatory process. ƒ Transfers the oversight of a Universal Service Fund (USF) from the Regulator to the Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology. This USF will be established as independent advisory body responsible to the MCST • Develop working definitions of universal access and set targets and timelines for achieving universal access goals. • Develop regulations to establish and operate a Universal Service Fund to support ICT infrastructure expansion, local content development and access to ICT services and training. ICT Policy for Lesotho 34

Select target paragraph3