1. Each Party shall ensure that its regulatory authority is legally distinct and functionally independent from any supplier of telecommunications transport networks, services or equipment, including if a Party retains ownership or control of a supplier of telecommunications transport networks or services.

2. Each Party shall ensure that its regulatory authority’s decisions and procedures are impartial with respect to all market participants and are administered in a transparent and timely manner.

3. Each Party shall ensure that its regulatory authority is sufficiently empowered to regulate the sector, including by ensuring that it has the power to:

(a) require suppliers of telecommunications transport networks or services to submit any information the regulatory authority considers necessary for the administration of its responsibilities; and
(b) enforce its decisions relating to the obligations set out in Articles 15.3 through 15.6 through appropriate sanctions that may include financial penalties, corrective orders or the suspension or revocation of licences.