27 March 2013 at 15:00 CET – The Hague – PostNL has decided to withdraw its application for compensation of the net costs in respect of 2011. The reason is that Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, Henk Kamp, has announced the intention to adjust the statutory requirements for the Universal Service Obligation (USO). The package of measures could include increasing the range of postal rates as per 1 July 2013, which, in the first instance, could lead to an increase in the basic rate for letters of around € 0.06 starting that date. PostNL maintains one of the lowest postal rates in Europe. The Dutch Independent Post and Telecommunication Authority (OPTA) will verify whether these measures are necessary to ensure the profitability of the USO.
In a letter to the Lower House, the minister says he is convinced of the necessity to take further measures in order to secure the cost-effectiveness and affordability of the USO. PostNL is confident that the eventual measures will lead to a remunerative USO obligation for PostNL.
The minister informed the Lower House that he is considering adjustments to the USO-obligation and the rate regulation. Minister Kamp has announced that he will provide a further explanation of the complete package of measures in his vision on the future of the postal market in early May.
