I 13 Convergence. The Government encourages deployment of converged technologies. The policy applies to both networks and services. Networks can include advanced communications networks such as WiMAX and next generation networks (NGN), which are optimized to provide Internet services and may be less expensive to implement than traditional technologies. Services can include offerings such as voice over IP (VoIP) and IP television (IPTV) that provide substitutes for existing services over the Internet, and often include features unavailable with existing technologies. The Government will promote access to convergent services by eliminating non-technology neutral regulations. Specifically, operators will not be required to deploy, or prohibited from deploying, any specific technology to provide the network or service. For example, providers of fixed telecommunications services would be free to use fixed wireless links, as well as copper wire or fibre, to provide "last mile" connectivity. LCA will also adopt a clear policy allowing the provision of VoIP services. Competition The Government will take the following actions to promote competition. Given Lesotho's small population, level of development, and geographic characteristics, deployment of competitive infrastructure seems unlikely in the short to intermediate term. Therefore, the Government will seek to promote service-based competition. In addition, LCA will adopt competitive safeguards to restrain the ability of operators with significant market power to act anti-competitively, while easing regulatory burdens on entrants and operators in competitive markets. This will be accomplished as follows. • Interconnection. LCA will facilitate interconnection between operators, particularly where one of the operators has significant market power. Interconnection agreements will be timely, non-discriminatory, cost-oriented, unbundled, and transparent. — LCA will identify operators that have significant market power. — Any operator with significant market power will be required to allow physical interconnection, at any technically feasible location, at forward-looking, cost-based prices. The LCA will determine both the methodology for setting interconnection rates and also determine the cost-based rates, after which a price cap will be imposed to keep the rates at or below those rates over time. — LCA may also specify certain Interconnection Related Services and Mandatory Wholesale Services that the SMP operator must provide upon request, at cost-based prices.