6.—(1) It shall be the function and duty of the Authority —
(a)
to secure that there are provided throughout Singapore (whether by itself or by any other person authorised by a licence granted under this Act) good and sufficient domestic and international telecommunication (except broadcasting and television) and postal services and such other services on such terms as the Authority may think expedient;
(b)
without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a), to secure that any person by whom any telecommunication or postal services fall to be provided is able to provide these services at rates consistent with efficient service and the necessity for maintaining independent financial viability;
(c)
to promote the development of telecommunication and postal systems and services in accordance with, as far as practicable, recognised international standard practice and public demand;
(d)
to exercise licensing and regulatory functions in respect of telecommunication and postal systems and services in Singapore, including the establishment of standards and codes relating to equipment attached to telecommunication and radio-communication systems;
(e)
to exercise licensing and regulatory functions in respect of the allocation and use of satellite orbits and the radio frequency spectrum in Singapore for all purposes, including the establishment of standards and codes relating to any matter in connection therewith;
(f)
to act internationally as the national body representative of Singapore in respect of telecommunication and postal matters;
(g)
to advise the Government on all telecommunication and postal matters and on matters appertaining to the Authority generally; and
(h)
to further the advancement of technology relating to telecommunication and postal systems and services.
(2) In discharging the functions and duties imposed on it by subsection (1), the Authority shall have regard to —
(a)
efficiency and economy;
(b)
satisfying all reasonable demands for telecommunication and postal services;
(c)
fostering the development and expansion of telecommunication and postal services in the world in collaboration with other countries and international organisations;
(d)
maintaining effective competition between persons engaged in the provision of telecommunication and postal systems and services;
(e)
enabling persons providing telecommunication and postal systems and services in Singapore to compete effectively in the provision of such systems and services outside Singapore;
(f)
the promotion of measures for the safety of life through telecommunications;
(g)
the provision of telecommunication and postal services at rates consistent with efficient service and the necessity for maintaining independent financial viability;
(h)
improvements in the effective and efficient use of the radio frequency spectrum;
(i)
the promotion of research and development in the fields of telecommunication and postal systems and services and, in particular, the peaceful uses of technology relating to telecommunication and postal services; and
(j)
collaboration with educational institutions for the promotion of technical education in the fields of telecommunication and postal systems and services.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed as —
(a)
imposing on the Authority, either directly or indirectly, any form of duty or liability enforceable by proceedings before any court;
(b)
precluding the Authority from interrupting, suspending or restricting any telecommunication or postal services provided by the Authority; or
(c)
precluding the Authority from ensuring the provision of any special service for any person or section of the public where the special service is required.
(4) The Authority may, notwithstanding the provisions of this Act, continue to provide any telecommunication or postal service, as the case may be, that it was providing immediately before the appointed day until such time as the licences granted under section 26 or 42 come into effect.
(5) The Authority may provide any telecommunication or postal service, as the case may be, notwithstanding that it has granted a licence to any person under section 26 or 42, in any of the following circumstances:
(a)
if the Authority is of the opinion that a person licensed under section 26 or 42 has failed to discharge or is not discharging to the Authority’s satisfaction the obligations imposed by the Authority on the person in the licence granted to the person; or
(b)
to give effect to any direction of the Minister under section 116.
(6) Where the Authority undertakes the provision of telecommunication services pursuant to subsection (4) or (5), sections 2, 30, 75 to 79, 81 to 88, 96 to 106 and 108 to 114 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the Authority in respect of the provision of such services and the references to public telecommunication licensee in those sections shall be read as references to the Authority.
(7) Where the Authority undertakes the provision of postal services pursuant to subsection (4) or (5), sections 2, 50 to 59, 64 to 69, 76, 77, 82 to 86, 89, 90, 92 to 94, 108 to 113 and 115 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the Authority in respect of the provision of such services and the references to public postal licensee in those sections shall be read as references to the Authority.