Section 158, The National Communications Authority Act, 2022

(1) There is hereby established a fund to be known asthe Universal Access Development Fund. (2) The sources of financing the Universal Access Development Fund shall come from the following– (a) a service levy, set by the UADF on all licensed service providers and shall be calculated on the licensee’s annual gross income as declared for tax purposes not later than 31st March; (b) money allocated by Parliament; (c) grants, subsidies, donations; (d) gifts and subscriptions from the Government or any entity; (e) competitive minimum subsidy auctions; Universal Access Development Fund. No. 16 The National Communications Authority Act 2022No. 16 The National Communications Authority Act 2022 (b) processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner in relation to any data subject; (c) collected for explicit, specified and legitimate purposes and not further processed in a manner incompatible with those purposes; (d) adequate, relevant, limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which it is processed; (e) accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date, with every reasonable step being taken to ensure that any inaccurate personal data are erased or rectified without delay; (f) kept in a form which identifies the data subjects for no longer than is necessary for the purposes which it was collected; (g) only released to a third party only with the consent of the data subject; and (h) not transferred outside Sierra Leone, unless there is adequate proof of adequate data protection laws by the recipient jurisdiction. (4) The Authority shall by statutory instrument after consultations with the Ministry and other relevant stakeholders make regulations in order to give effect to this section. PART XXX -UNIVERSAL ACCESS AND SERVICE 156. (1) Universal service shall include access to communications services in accordance with the quality access offered to the population of Sierra Leone despite its geographic location and based on affordable tariffs, conditions and without the distortion of competition. (2) Universal service shall consist of the following– (a) access to the public fixed line or mobile telephone network services; (b) access to mobile or fixed wireless or fixed line internet services; (c) access to emergency communications remaining accessible on a free basis; (d) any other services relating to ICT that the Ministry may include, in consultation with the Universal Access Development Fund established under section 158. (e) facilitating access to digital services in economically non-viable areas. (3) The Authority shall establish the obligations to be respected in terms of implementing universal services. 157. (1) The Authority shall define for the attention of UADF the expected components of universal services and the remote community area that are not served or are under-served, (2) In determining these components and areas referred to under sub-section (1), the Authority in collaboration with UADF shall consider the following– (a) the level of competition in particular areas or communities; (b) the availability of services in particular areas or communities; Components of universal 118 119 Scope of Universal access and service. No. 16 The National Communications Authority Act 2022No. 16 The National Communications Authority Act 2022 (f) public access projects designed to generate income for long-term financial selfsustainability; (g) funds allocated to the Universal Access Development Fund under section 22 sub section 4 (b). (3) Notwithstanding the generality of subsection (2), the Universal Access Development Fund shall mainly be supported by a service levy.