7) “Collocation” means the placement of network equipment or systems that are used for service provision by a Telecommunications Operator together with network equipment or systems installed at premises of other Telecommunications Operator at a technically feasible location on the basis of agreement reached between them. 8) “Infrastructure Provider” means a passive infrastructure provider seeking to own, build, operate, manage or otherwise maintain telecommunications passive infrastructure with the objective of sharing infrastructure services with Telecommunication Operators and service providers. 9) “Infrastructure Sharing” means various kinds of arrangements to share an Access Provider’s active and passive infrastructure, including, but not limited to, the sharing of network elements, systems, equipment, facilities, premises or rights of way, with an Access Seeker, subject to an agreement between the parties. 10) “Interconnection Services” means services provided by one Telecommunications Operator to another, for the purpose of achieving interconnection of their Telecommunications Networks. 11) “Passive Infrastructure” means infrastructure that is not part of the active layer of a Telecommunications Network, including but not limited to, sites, buildings, shelters, towers, masts, poles, ducts, trenches, electric power supply, and air conditioning. 12) “Reference Infrastructure Sharing Offer (RISO)” means a standard form Access Agreement that describes the relevant services offered broken down into components, and the associated terms and conditions, including charges. 13) “Retail Telecommunications Service” means a Telecommunications Service that is provided directly to the public but not to another Telecommunications Operator. 14) “Working Days” means business working days only and shall not include Saturday, Sunday and any day that has been declared to be a public holiday by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. 3. Objectives The main objectives of this Directive are to: 1) Provide a framework to govern Access Agreements; 2) Provide clarity on the rules and procedures the Authority shall follow to regulate infrastructure sharing and collocation, in accordance with Article 44 of the Proclamation; 3) Minimize the cost of network deployment; 4) Protect the environment by reducing the proliferation of towers and facilities installation thereby not changing the aesthetics of the country’s landscape; 5) Enhance competition amongst Telecommunications Operators in a cooperative environment; 6) Maximize use of network infrastructure including, but not limited to, network capacity and capabilities, base station sites, backbone, towers and reduce duplication of investment for network facilities; 7) Ensure that the economic advantages derivable from the sharing of infrastructure are harnessed for the overall benefit of all stakeholders in the telecommunications sector; 2