Postcomm today proposed opening up a further niche activity – tracked business-to-business mail services -- to competition. Postal operators wishing to provide such services would be able to apply for a licence from Postcomm.
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
