The act established the BTC as a monopoly of telecommunications services and separated it from Posts (which continued to operate as a government department).

The transformation process led to the formation of the BTA under the Telecommunications Act 1996, as passed in the National Assembly on 1 August 1996.

The board, as established by section four of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the BTA and not involved in itsdaily management.

It also provides for an exemption, in that it states in subsection 12(2) that nothing contained in (or done under) the Telecommunications Act of 1996 or any law shall be held to be inconsistent with (or in contravention of) this section, to the extent that the law in question makes provision regulating the technical administration or the technical operation of telephony, telegraphy, posts, wireless, broadcasting or television.

In terms of section 15, any notices of changes to the particulars of a licence (especially with regard to proprietorship) or the acquisition of any interest shall be made to the BTA but approved by the NBB.