Postcomm extends deadline for zonal pricing responses

by Alex Donohue, Brand Republic 25-Apr-07, 13:50

LONDON - Postal services regulator Postcomm has extended the consultation period for the Royal Mail's proposed zonal pricing system in response to requests from stakeholders.

Postcomm has agreed to extend the consultation period by one month after inviting feedback on Royal Mail's plans to introduce a sliding system of pricing for bulk mailings based on geographical location.

Royal Mail submitted a revised application in February seeking permission to change the pricing systems for bulk mail services, proposing a "zonal pricing" tariff influenced by the destination of items.

Under the proposals, Royal Mail wishes to introduce a zonal pricing tariff for bulk business mailings no later than January 2 2008.

Postcomm has now extended its original consultation period deadline of May 7, after receiving a number of requests from stakeholders who want more time to respond to the plans. The new deadline is June 1.

A statement from Postcomm read: "We have carefully considered these requests, weighing them against Postcomm's requirement to make a decision on Royal Mail's application to introduce zonal pricing no later than January 2 2008.

"Postcomm has decided to extend the deadline for responding to its consultation letter to allow interested parties more time to respond and make full use of Royal Mail's zonal pricing calculator. We expect that better informed responses will greatly help Postcomm's analysis in developing its provisional conclusions."