DEUTSCHE POST MUST PROVIDE SERVICE FOR COMPETITORS

DEUTSCHE POST MUST PROVIDE SERVICE FOR COMPETITORS       The German regulatory agency for post and telecommunications ruled Monday that German postal service Deutsche Post AG must delivery mail at discount prices for competitors.
      The move, which is aimed at liberalizing the German postal market, requires Deutsche Post to delivery large letter-type mail, or heavier than seven ounces, at a 23-percent discount for competitors, such as United Parcel Service, who bring the mail to one of Deutsche Post's sorting centers.
      The ruling also requires the German postal company to offer bulk customers discount delivery of packages starting at batches of 500, rather than 25,000 currently.
      The ruling came in response to a challenge by UPS.
      Deutsche Post said the ruling will have no affect on the company's plans for a November initial public offering of 25 percent to 33 percent of the government-owned company on various European stock markets.
      Klaus Zumwinkel, chairman of Deutsche Post, announced last week that the company plans to expand its stake in DHL International from 25 percent to 541 percent, effective Jan. 1.