No. 34 Communications (f) to facilitate the provision of affordable communication services; (g) to facilitate technology neutrality; and (h) to ensure consumer protection. 3. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires__ “access” means making available facilities or services of any licensee under defined conditions, on exclusive or non-exclusive basis, for the purpose of providing communications services, including access to__ (a) network elements and associated facilities, which may involve the connection of equipment by fixed or non-fixed means, and includes access to the local loop, facilities and services necessary to provide services over the local loop; (b) physical infrastructure, including buildings, cable engineering networks, ducts, masts and poles; (c) relevant software systems, including operational support systems; (d) number translation facilities, or to systems offering equivalent functionality; (e) fixed and mobile networks, in particular for roaming; (f) conditional access systems for digital television services; or (g) virtual network services; “allocation” means the apportionment of a given scarce resource for the purpose of its use by one or more communications services under given conditions; “apparatus” means equipment, an instrument, or any other object for use in the provision or the reception of communications services, and includes a fitting to, or accessory of, the equipment, instrument or object; “Authority” means the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority established under section 4; “broadcasting” means any form of transmission of content intended for reception by the public whether conveyed by means of radio or electronic communications; “broadcasting service” means any service that consists of broadcasting, but does not include__ (a) a service that provides only data or text, whether with or without associated still images; 9 Interpretation