Downstream access

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Downstream access (DSA) is the term used to describe mail which has been collected and distributed by a competitor, but is handed over to Royal Mail for delivery (the final mile).

[edit] History

The ability to utilise the Royal Mail network in this way (analogous to local loop unbundling in the telecoms sector) was first introduced in 2003, ending a 350 year monopoly.

At first, there were strict limits, restricting DSA to large operations, however over time these have been relaxed further.

With the final abolition of the Royal Mail monopoly (but not its universal service obligation), DSA mail makes up an ever increasing proportion of mail received in the UK.

[edit] Future developments

Increasingly, large mailers (banks etc.) are looking to sidestep the DSA providers, and obtain direct access (Customer Direct Access) to Royal Mail delivery themselves

With the end of the monopoly, some DSA providers are moving into the delivery market in major conurbations. Such bypass mail never touches the Royal Mail network