Section 21: Establishment of Universal Service Fund

21. Establishment of Universal Service Fund (1) The Authority shall establish a Universal Service Fund— (a) into which shall be paid any contribution received from licensees pursuant to subsection (2); (b) out of which payments may be made to any licensee required by the terms of his licence, or otherwise directed by the Authority, to provide a universal service. (2) Every public operator shall, in addition to the licence fees payable, pay into the Universal Service Fund, such annual contributions as may be prescribed. (3) The Minister may, on the recommendation of the Board, prescribe— (a) the basis and manner of determination of such contributions; (b) the dates when such contributions shall become payable and the manner and, if he considers necessary, the period over which the contributions shall be paid. (S. 21 came into operation on 1 June 2002.)