ComReg, today said it has decided not to grant any increase in the price of the standard domestic letter service, which will remain at 48 cent.
However, the communications regulator ComReg did approve an increase in the price for posting large envelopes from 60 cent to 90 cent.
In addition, the price of posting a packet will increase from 96 cent to €2.00. ComReg also agrees with An Post's newly revised price proposals for its discounted large envelope and packet services.
ComReg Chairperson, Isolde Goggin, said: 'the availability of a value for money, high quality and predictable postal service is vital in a modern economy like Ireland's. The provision of such a service and the ongoing liberalisation of the postal market clearly pose critical challenges for An Post'.
Ms Goggin added that the price increases allowed for packets facilitates other operators in providing competing services well in advance of the EU's target of January 2009.
The price changes approved by ComReg will not come into effect for three months in order to facilitate the transition to the new prices.
ISME described the cost increases in sending large envelopes and packages as an outrage and said they will add greatly to the costs of small businesses.
