Bypass mail is the term used in the UK to describe mail which has been handled throughout its journey from sender to recipient without Royal Mail

Royal Mail

Royal Mail is the government-owned postal service in the United Kingdom. Royal Mail Holdings plc owns Royal Mail Group Limited, which in turn operates the brands Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide...

 involvement, in contrast to downstream access

Downstream access

Downstream access is the term used to describe mail which has been collected and distributed by a competitor, but is handed over to Royal Mail mail centres for final processing onto local delivery offices, where they are delivered.- History :...

 where the final delivery is undertaken by Royal Mail

History

The ability to utilise the Royal Mail network for downstream access (analogous to local loop unbundling

Local loop unbundling

Local loop unbundling is the regulatory process of allowing multiple telecommunications operators to use connections from the telephone exchange to the customer's premises...

in the telecoms sector) was first introduced in 2003, ending a 350 year monopoly.

In 2006 the market was fully opened, allowing competitors to establish their own delivery networks.

Unlike Royal Mail, competitors are not under any obligation to provide a universal service, and can opt to deliver in certain areas, whilst handing over other areas as Downstream Access Mail.

Development

As of October 2007, only one operator (TNT Post) is trialling bypass mail, in a small number of urban locations. Other operators have indicated that they will follow suit.