Regulatory Agency of the telecommunication sector

(1) The Public Utilities Commission (herein called “the PUC”) shall regulate the telecommunications sector in accordance with this Act. (2) The PUC may perform all such acts and do all such things as are reasonably necessary, ancillary, incidental or supplementary to the performance of any of its functions as assigned or transferred to it under this Act or in a manner which it considers is best calculated to– (a) implement the policy of the Government relating to the telecommunications industry and the objectives of this Act; (b) assist in the formulation of national policies with respect to the promotion, development 15 and regulation of telecommunications and the telecommunications industry; (c) provide economic and technical monitoring of the industry in accordance with recognized international standard practices, including the promotion of fair competition and efficient market conduct within that industry, and ensure appropriate control, inspection and regulation of the industry; (d) regulate and establish, for public operators, performance standards, especially with regard to quality of service and interconnection standards, in relation to the provision of international and local telephone services and to monitor compliance with both of those (e) report, in such manner as it thinks fit, to the Government or to any other person on any matter that lies within its functions, such as the performance of public operators, the quality of consumer service and consumer satisfaction, measured against the best available international standards of practice; (f) oversee the fulfilment by public operators of their obligations under any enactment, or their compliance with any direction issued by the PUC pursuant to this Act; (g) develop and, where appropriate, revise, and methodologies for use by public operators in accordance with internationally established and accepted and principles and standards of practice; 16 (h) ensure the safety and quality of every telecommunication service and, for that purpose, determine technical standards for telecommunications network matters; (i) authorise any qualified person to conduct such technical tests, evaluations or inspections relating to telecommunications as it thinks fit; (j) manage and administer the use of the radio frequency spectrum, and telephone numbering scheme; (k) monitor every interconnection agreement and assist in the resolution of any dispute relating thereto; (l) monitor the use of telecommunication services on any ship or aircraft; (m) control the importation of any equipment for use and capable of being used to intercept a telecommunication message; (n) regulate the conduct of examinations for, and the issue of, certificates of competency to persons wishing to operate any apparatus used for purposes of telecommunication; (o) regulate rates and for (p) receive and process applications for licences; (q) investigate and resolve complaints related to harmful interference, unfair pricing rates, abuses or violations of the rights of consumers, damage to property and concerns as to the health and safety of Belizeans arising from the use and/or operation of telecommunications equipment; (r) manage the Universal Service Fund set up under section 34; (s) determine, whether as conditions of licences or otherwise, the universal service obligations and levy charges or other requirements in a transparent and competitive neutral manner to fund or achieve universal service; (t) collect all fees prescribed and any other tariffs levied under this Act or related regulations; (u) maintain a register of licensees and frequency holders; (v) regulate the use of new or convergent technologies as they arise; (w) perform any other functions as are prescribed or considered necessary for the fulfilment of its objectives under this Act or any other law.