The Dutch mail operator PostNL has applied to the Dutch Independent Post and TelecommunicationAuthority (OPTA) for compensation of the net costs of the universal service obligation (USO) for
2011 due to their increase caused by falling mail volumes.Despite the decrease in letter volumes, PostNL has to bear the costs of providing the statutorysix-day delivery service, including retaining 19,000 mail boxes and an extensive network of postoffices.
“The Postal Directive and the Postal Act 2009 provide for a scheme for compensation for the netcosts of the USO. Net costs are caused by the obligation to deliver the services under the USO.PostNL assesses these net costs at €107-€125 million. The net costs of the USO increase due todecreasing volumes, while the statutory obliged service levels as mentioned above remain the same,”the company explained.
OPTA will review the PostNL application. After determining the net costs, they need to bedivided over the postal companies in the Netherlands. As a provider of postal services that alsofall outside the USO, PostNL is one of these companies.
The application is based on PostNL’s financial results in 2011. The company said it does notforesee to adjust the expected results on the basis of this application.
