Universal service (electronic communications)

Universal service is the set of services set out in Section 38(2) and (3) of the Electronic Communications Act which are available in the specified quality to all end-users throughout the national territory at an affordable price.

In accordance with Section 39 of the Electronic Communications Act, CTU regularly reviews whether it is necessary to impose individual obligations (partial services) under the universal service or whether they are available on a commercial basis. If it finds that the service is not commercially available under the conditions set out in Section 38, it shall announce a tender for the provider of the service in question and, on the basis of the tender, impose the obligation to provide the partial service by decision.

According to Section 110 of the Electronic Communications Act, an annual report on the universal service forms part of the annual report on the activities of CTU.