I 18 long-term plan to ensure that the corporatized entity will meet specified universal service commitments, while having sufficient financial and human resources to operate as a viable business. This will include an assessment of the extent, if any, to which the Government will be required to provide an ongoing subsidy in order to meet universal service commitments. The plan will include transfer of government assets and the conversion of government civil servants into corporate employees. Regulation of the LPO. The LCA will have authority to regulate the LPO. For those services over which the LPO has exclusive rights, the LCA will adopt regulations to protect consumers. These regulations will include: - Rate regulation. The LCA will regulate the postage rates charged on those letters and packages over which the LPO has exclusive rights, in order to sure that the rates are costbased and affordable for all citizens. — Minimum Service requirements. The LCA will also regulate minimum service requirements that the LPO must fulfill in terms of average delivery time, percentage of successful deliveries, and other relevant service parameters. Competition The Government will seek to promote competition, and the provision of new services, in the postal sector, such as express mail, bulk mail, and larger package shipping. The new legislation will provide for competitive service in several ways. • Licensing. The LCA will grant licenses to competitive operators currently operating under general business licenses issued by the Ministry responsible for Trade. These licenses will enable the operators to provide those services for which the LPO has not been given exclusive rights. • Network access. The LPO will be required to provide access to its delivery network and post offices, at reasonable rates and conditions to be regulated by the LCA. This will increase the choices available to consumers, as well as ensure access to global express mail networks. Access Gaps Recognizing the socio-economic benefits of postal service, the Communications Act of 2008 will establish that all citizens have the right to receive certain fundamental services at affordable prices. The legislation will set forth the criteria for what is fundamental, while allowing the LCA to make the determination of what services qualify for universal service, so that this can change as the sector evolves over time.