UK government and Ofcom respond to the recent parliamentary committee report on postal services regulation
12 November 26
Armen Ghalumyan
The May 2026 report challenged Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, to change its approach to deliver better regulation of the postal market. In its response to the report, the regulator emphasised that it would continue monitoring Royal Mail’s performance over the next six months and would take enforcement action as needed. The government stated that its ongoing consultation on the revision of the employment status framework would contribute to a more level playing field for Royal Mail and its competitors and that it will consider if further statutory reforms are required to protect the universal service.
European Commission 2027 work programme foresees “digital transformation, simplification and copyright package”
05 November 26
Javier Huerta Bravo
The package could include the review of the Digital Decade Policy Programme, the review of the Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market and a targeted legislative initiative addressing AI-related copyright issues and online piracy of live and time-sensitive content.
Czech Republic reverses its law raising the possible compensation for the postal universal service
26 October 26
Jan Cisar
The Czech parliament adopted an amendment to the postal law which restores the previous maximum compensation to reimburse Czech Post for the net cost of providing the postal universal service. The government could not reimburse Czech Post for its performance of the universal service in 2025 under the higher compensation cap for procedural reasons.
European postal developments – 3Q 2026
23 October 26
Armen Ghalumyan
Main developments on postal policy and regulation in Europe in the three months from July to September 2026
Ofcom proposes to extend the price cap on Royal Mail’s second class letters for one year
22 October 26
Armen Ghalumyan
The current safeguard cap, due to expire on 31 March 2027, applies to a basket of second class letter products and allows price increases no faster than inflation as measured by the consumer price index. The proposed one-year extension will maintain the price cap until 31 March 2028. Ofcom will then decide on the long-term pricing framework for the postal universal service.
Posti in talks to deliver government mail through its digital mailbox
16 October 26
Michael van Maris van Dijk
Posti, the Finnish universal service provider, announced it is in talks with the government to provide official communications through its OmaPosti digital mailbox service. The announcement followed the entry into force of an act amending the law on electronic administrative services on 1 September 2026.