S.L. 399.48 Art. 76Cost of universal service obligations.

(1) Where the Authority considers that the provision of an adequate broadband internet access service as defined in accordance with regulation 71(3) and of voice communications services as set out in regulations 71, 72 and 73 or the continuation of the existing universal service as set out in regulation 74 may represent an unfair burden on providers of such services that request compensation, then the Authority shall calculate the net costs of such provision.

(2) For the purpose of sub-regulation (1), the Authority shall:

(a) calculate the net cost of the universal service obligations, taking into account any market benefit which accrues to a provider of an adequate broadband internet access service as defined in accordance with regulation 71(3) and voice communications services as set out in regulations 71, 72 and 73 or the continuation of the existing universal service as set out in regulation 74, in accordance with the Seventh Schedule; or

(b) make use of the net costs of providing universal service identified by a designation mechanism in accordance with regulation 73(4).

(3) Providers requesting compensation shall submit a detailed written request to the Authority which shall include the accounts and other information serving as the basis for the calculation of the net cost of universal service obligations under paragraph (a) of sub-regulation (2). Such requests with all the information submitted therewith shall be audited or verified by the Authority or a body independent of the relevant parties after such body has been approved by the Authority. The results of the cost calculation and the conclusions of the audit shall be publicly available. AND SERVICES (GENERAL)