Plan to protect Guernsey's basic postal services

The regulator wants to protect the island's basic postal services

Guernsey's basic postal services should be protected as competitors start operating in the island, the industry regulator has said.

The Office of Utility Regulation is asking postal companies for their views on how to license the local market.

It wants to set up a fund, paid by new entrants to the marketplace, which if needed would support Guernsey Post's obligation to provide basic services.

Any proposed changes to the Postal Law have to be approved by the States.

John Curran, the director general of the regulator, said: "What we want to see in place is a mechanism, should it ever be needed, that alternative providers to Guernsey Post are required to contribute to help with the provision of the universal service obligation that the power is there to require them to do.

"At the moment there isn't actually that ability to require a company to do so even if it was necessary."