Postcomm consults on a long term licence for SMS
2 June 2004
Postcomm today began a 30-day consultation on the proposed issue of a long term licence to Special Mail Services Ltd (SMS) to provide bulk mail and consolidated mail services.
In September 2002 SMS took over the business of Special Delivery Services Ltd (SDS). SDS held an interim licence, which was restricted to a pilot scheme of a minimum of 12 months’ duration. The new SMS standard licence will have a minimum life of seven years.
The consultation document and text of the proposed licence are available from Postcomm at 6 Hercules Road London SE1 7DB.
Notes for editors
Today’s document says that Postcomm is minded, subject to consultation, to grant a licence to SMS. It suggests that the proposed services will have no appreciable adverse effect on the provision of a universal service throughout the UK and will further the interests of users by promoting competition between postal operators. Postcomm has also agreed with SMS to revoke the interim licence currently held in SDS’s name. We will shortly serve a notice to this effect.
