Section 9, The Telecommunications Act, 2006

(1) The object for which the Commission is establishedis to license and regulate the activities of telecommunications operators so as to promote efficiency and fair competition, and the expansion of investment in the telecommunications sector; the protection of the users or consumers of telecommunications networks and services and the progressive development of the telecommunications industry and technology in Sierra Leone. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), it shall be the function of the Commission to– (a) promote fair competition among telecommunications operators; (b) protect telecommunications operators and consumers from unfair conduct on the part of other such operators with regard to the quality of telecommunications services and the tariffs payable in respect of those services; (c) ensure universal availability of efficient, reliable and cost effective telecommunications services throughout Sierra Leone; (d) grant licences for the operation of telecommunications networks; (e) manage, allocate, licence and regulate the use of the radio frequency spectrum and the geostationary satellite orbits in Sierra Leone; (f) prepare and review a national frequency allocation plan; 6 7 Disclosure of interest. Functions of (g) establish the national telephone numbering plan and to assign numbers accordingly; (h) internationally represent Sierra Leone in matters of telecommunications; (i) designate and ensure the maintenance of standards of telecommunications equipment, including internationally approved standards; (j) determine a code of practice relating to dealings by operators with international telecommunications operators and regulate international accounting rates; (k) provide guidelines on tariffs chargeable for the provision of telecommunications services; (l) provide, after consultation with the Minister, authorisations to operators of radio telephone stations on ships and aircraft registered in Sierra Leone; (m) establish training standards for telecommunications operators and to monitor the implementation of the training standards; (n) maintain a register of operators; (o) establish, by regulations, the protection of data on computer files and their transmission and to safeguard the secrecy of telecommunications and the protection of personal data in collaboration with the telecommunications network operators; and (p) do all such other things as will contribute to the attainment of the object stated in subsection (1). (3) The Commission shall also have responsibility to advise the President with respect to the exercise of his powers of authorisation for the establishment and operation of television and wireless broadcasting under the proviso to section 25 (1) of the Constitution.