Postcomm consults on an interim licence for Deutsche Post

1 July 2002

Postcomm today began consultation on the proposed issue of an interim licence to Deutsche Post Global Mail (UK) Ltd.

Deutsche Post is seeking an interim licence to provide a mail service to a small group of new clients and existing clients of the company’s cross-border postal services between customers in different member states of the European Union.

The company aims to collect pre-sorted and some unsorted mail from its customers’ designated collection points. It intends to pass 90% of this mail to Consignia for delivery and to deliver the remainder through its own subcontracted delivery services. In effect it will be undertaking the pilot phase of development of the sort of service that licensed operators will be able to undertake freely from 1 January next year.

The proposed interim licence limits the number of items that can be carried to 40 million per year. This equates to half the amount carried daily by Consignia. In addition, 90% of it is expected to be fed into Consignia for delivery, for which Consignia will be paid an agreed fair price. Postcomm is satisfied that granting this licence will not have an adverse effect on Consignia’s ability to provide a universal service, and is minded to grant the licence.

Notes for Editors

The deadline for responses to the consultation is 31 July 2002. Copies are available from Postcomm at 6 Hercules Road, London SE1 7DB.