No. 34 Communications “universal service” means a defined set of products and communications services of a general public interest to which customers are entitled to use without discrimination in terms of accessibility, price and quality; 15 “Universal Service Fund” means the Fund established under section 157; and “Universal Service Fund Committee” means the committee to be established by the Authority under section 159. PART II__ThE MALAwI COMMUNICATIONS REgULATORy AUThORITy 4.__(1) There is hereby established an authority to be known as the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority. (2) The Authority shall__ Establishment of the Authority (a) be a body corporate with perpetual succession and shall have a common seal; (b) be capable of suing and being sued in its corporate name; (c) be capable of acquiring and disposing of any moveable or immoveable property and do such things and perform such acts as bodies corporate may, by law, do or perform; and (d) perform such functions and exercise such powers as are conferred by this Act. 5.__(1) The Authority may, where necessary, seek the general direction of the Minister as to the manner in which it is to carry out its duties under this Act. (2) The directions given by the Minister under subsection (1) shall be in writing and shall be published in the Gazette. (3) Except as provided for under this Act or any other law, the Authority shall be independent in the performance of its functions. 6.__(1) The Authority shall regulate and monitor the provision of communications services and ensure that, as far as it is practicable, reliable and affordable communications services are provided throughout Malawi and are sufficient to meet the demand for such services in accordance with the principles of transparency, certainty, market orientation, efficiency, and consumer satisfaction. (2) Notwithstanding the generality of, and subject to the principles referred to in, subsection (1), the Authority shall__ Ministerial policy directions duties, functions and powers of the Authority