Chapter 1 – General Provisions and Definitions Article 1 Purpose of Regulation of the Telecommunication Sector The telecommunications sector is considered a national resource, and it shall be regulated under this Law for the purpose of: 1) Setting the rules for regulation and development of the telecommunications sector and the telecommunications services in all forms in Syria, to meet the needs of the society and the national economy. 2) Restructuring the telecommunications sector and specifying the roles of the key stakeholders, particularly the Ministry of Telecommunications and Technology and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority established pursuant to this Law. 3) Ensuring fair competition among Operators and Service Providers, operating in the telecommunications sector and protecting the customers and users of Telecommunications Services. Article 2 Definitions (a) In the application of this Law, the following terms and expressions shall have the meanings indicated next to each of them unless the context indicates otherwise: “Law”: The Telecommunications Law. “Executive Provisions” The Executive Provisions to the Telecommunications Law “Ministry”: The Ministry of Telecommunications and Technology. “Minister”: The Minister of Telecommunications and Technology. “Authority” The Authority for the regulation of the Telecommunications Sector established hereunder. “Board” or “Board of Commissioners”: The Board of Commissioners in the Authority. “Chairman” or “Chairman of the Board”: the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. “Director General”: the Authority's Director General. “Syrian Telecommunications Establishment (“STE”)”: the Public Telecommunication Establishment, founded according to Decree No.1935 dated 10/7/1975 and its amendments. 5