Universal Access
Affordable telecommunications for the entire population.
How the laws define this
Both legal instruments agree on the core objective of guaranteeing communication access to individuals regardless of their geographic location, establishing that physical position should not prevent people from receiving connectivity services. The primary divergence lies in the demographic scope, service categories, and qualifying criteria set by each authority. Law N°24/2016 of 18/06/2016 Governing Information and Communication Technologies limits its principle to citizens, explicitly mandates access regardless of socio-economic status, and restricts its focus specifically to basic communication services. Conversely, the Digital Economy Policy and Strategy 2024 expands the protected group to the entire population rather than citizens alone, broadens coverage to encompass telecommunications and digital services, and adds specific qualitative standards requiring that these offerings be affordable and reliable. Operational compliance depends on whether an entity must meet basic access rights for citizens or ensure affordable, reliable digital offerings for all residents across a given territory.
Synthesised from the 2 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.
Definitions (2)
The objective of providing affordable and reliable telecommunications and digital services to the entire population, regardless of geographic location.
The principle of ensuring that all citizens, regardless of location or socio-economic status, have access to basic communication services.