Hays Commercial Services, TNT UK and TPG Post have all applied for licences to deliver post once the market is opened up to competition from January 1.
Once granted, the licences will allow these companies to provide bulk mail, among other services.
The consultation coincides with the news that Postcomm has published the terms and conditions of its new standard postal licence, which will allow rival companies to provide long-term mail services in competition with Royal Mail.
The terms and conditions provide guidelines for self regulation by operators on a number of issues, including safeguarding mail and setting their own standards of service. Postal operators must report on these issues twice a year to Postcomm.
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