Postcomm consults on standard licence applications from Hays, TNT UK and TPG Post UK

12 November 2002

Postcomm today began consultation on the proposed issue of new long term standard licences to three companies: Hays Commercial Services Limited, TNT UK Limited and TPG Post UK Limited. They are the first applicants for standard licences which mark the start of wider competition in postal services.

All these companies currently hold interim postal licences, which are restricted to pilot schemes of a minimum of 12 months’ duration. The new standard licence will have a minimum life of seven years.

If issued, the standard licences would enable these companies to carry bulk mail and provide consolidation, enhanced document exchange and tracked business-to-business services. The licences would come into operation on 1 January 2003.

Notes for Editors

Postcomm today published the standard licence. The licence formalises the first step of the introduction of competition into postal services. From 1 January 2003 until March 2005, 30% by value of UK letters business will be open to competition. Competitors will be able to enter the market for bulk mail above 4000 items per mailing, for consolidated mail services and certain niche services. From 2005, a further 30% of the letters market will be open to competition, with full competition in 2007.

Details of Postcomm’s market opening strategy can be found in Promoting Competition in UK Postal Services – a Decision Document, which was published on 29 May 2002.

The deadline for responses to the consultation is 11 December 2002. Copies are available from Postcomm at 6 Hercules Road London SE1 7DB

More information can be found on the individual companies consultation page.