UK regulator Ofcom will merge with postal counterpart Postcomm if a Bill being presented to the British parliament is approved.
The Postal Services Bill will transfer Postcomm’s regulatory responsibility and staff to Ofcom as part of UK coalition…
UK regulator Ofcom will merge with postal counterpart Postcomm if a Bill being presented to the British parliament is approved.
The Postal Services Bill will transfer Postcomm’s regulatory responsibility and staff to Ofcom as part of UK coalition government plans to cut costs and boost efficiency.
According to a joint statement by Ofcom, Postcomm and the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Bill will require Ofcom to carry out postal services functions in a way that it considers will secure the provision of a universal postal service.
“In doing so, Ofcom will be required to have regard to the need for the universal postal service to be financially sustainable and efficient,” the statement said. “In addition the Bill will replace the existing licensing regime for providers of postal services with a general authorisation system, subject to regulatory conditions imposed by Ofcom, as already applies to communications providers.”
The Bill will be debated by the House of Commons in the coming months, before being put to the House of Lords.
A merger between Ofcom and Postcomm was recommended in an independent review published on September 10 into the future of postal service Royal Mail.
