The standard postal licence – which was published for consultation on 4 July -- will replace the present interim licences next January. Standard licences will have a minimum life of seven years, and are expected to cover bulk mail, consolidation services, and two niche activities -- enhanced document exchange services and mailroom services for internal mail systems. The addition of tracked business-to-business services will enable licensees to offer a range of customised business services.

Notes for editors

The consultation document, Licences under the Postal Services Act 2000: A further defined activity of tracked business-to-business services, can be found on Postcomm' s website, www.postcomm.gov.uk. Copies are available from Postcomm at 6 Hercules Road London SE1 7DB. Responses are requested by 5 December.

Tracked business to business services are specialist mail services which provide for overnight guaranteed delivery of business communications, tracking and tracing of individual items and confirmation of delivery.

Postcomm - the Postal Services Commission - is an independent regulator. It has been set up to further the interests of users of postal services. Postcomm' s other main tasks are to:

Seek to ensure a universal postal service at an affordable uniform tariff

• Encourage competition in postal services
• License postal operators
• Control Consignia's prices and quality of service
• Give advice to Government on the future of the post office network.

Postcomm' s policies are steered by a board of seven commissioners, headed by the chairman, Graham Corbett CBE.

More information:

Chris Webb Tel 020 7593 2114
Mobile 07779 635881
E webbc@psc.gov.uk.
or chrisw@ukgateway.net

Jonathan Rooper Tel 020 7766 1210
Pager 07693 352732

E jonathanr@cardew.co.uk