The Universal Service Obligation (USO) is a long-standing consumer protection that ensures everyone has access to landline telephones and payphones regardless of where they live or work.

The new Universal Service Guarantee (USG) updates the long standing Universal Service Obligation (USO), by providing all Australian homes and businesses with access to both broadband and voice services, regardless of their location.

Investment in ICT projects with private participation refers to commitments to projects in ICT backbone infrastructure (including land based and submarine cables) that have reached financial closure and directly or indirectly serve the public. Movable assets and small projects are excluded. The types of projects included are operations and management contracts, operations and management contracts with major capital expenditure, greenfield projects (in which a private entity or a public-private joint venture builds and operates a new facility), and divestitures.

The Telecommunications Reform Package has three main elements:

• The Statutory Infrastructure Provider regime
• The Regional Broadband Scheme
• Reforms to carrier separation arrangements.

The Package passed the Parliament on 14 May 2020 and received Royal Assent on 25 May 2020.

The Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Competition and Consumer) Act 2020 and Telecommunications (Regional Broadband Scheme) Charge Act 2020 came into force on 26 May 2020.

This legislation introduces new obligations on telecommunications carriers.

Nigerian Communications Act 2003 (NCA 2003). This law sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Nigeria. It contains a detailed institutional framework, including the creation of the telecommunications regulatory authority (NCC). It includes licensing, competition policy, quality service, interconnection, scarce resources management, infrastructure sharing, universal service, tariffs regulation, penalties and sanctions and dispute resolution.

The Post and Telecommunications Act No. 24-96 (as amended). Latest amendment, Law No. 121-12, amending and supplementing the Post and Telecommunications Act No. 24-96. 

This law sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Morocco. It contains a detailed institutional framework, inlcuding the establishment of the regulator. It includes licensing, quality service, interconnection, co-location, universal service, tariffs regulation, penalties and sanctions and dispute resolution. It also covers some postal service issues.