Regulator to set standards for postal service

The Malta Communications Authority is seeking expert assistance from a European body working in the field of postal regulation with a view to setting up a postal regulatory framework for Malta.

The authority said the assistance would be made possible through a twinning arrangement funded by the European Union which was in the process of being finalised.

The MCA was asked about the permission it had given Maltapost to grant two days off to employees after Christmas and after the New Year, a period over which there were serious delays in the delivery of post.

The go-ahead had been given on the basis that the recent radical changes at the organisation were an "exceptional circumstance and, therefore, the request was justified, this time round", the authority replied.

The MCA was made responsible for the regulation of the postal services sector in Malta last June, in line with the coming into force of the Postal Services Act.

Its work plan for 2004 relating to the regulation of postal services focuses on the establishment of a suitable regulatory regime that is in line with the relevant EU Directive. This ranges from the provision of a universal service to the maintenance of quality of service standards and the adoption of suitable licensing conditions for the sector, as well as for the regulation of tariffs, among others.

The provision of a universal service implies that Maltapost must provide a service with certain minimum criteria including one clearance and one delivery of mail every working day and, in any event, not less than five days a week to all areas around Malta, save in exceptional circumstances.

The company must also provide services for registered items, a basic counter service throughout Malta and other minimum facilities.

The establishment of quality standards was of particular importance given Maltapost's remaining monopoly, the MCA said. The standards would include, for example, the length of time it takes the company to deliver mail, public access to information about the service provided and access to the postal network.

Another MCA responsibility was the regulation of tariffs, particularly via the provision by the provider of separated accounts relative to its various business activities.

The programme should lead up to the gradual liberalisation of the postal sector, which the European Commission has indicated as taking place by 2009.