| Q: Does the USPS require you to replace your
postage meter ? |
A: The USPS
has issued a federal mandate that will directly affect the way you run
your mail.
Several years ago the USPS mandated a Federal Meter Migration in which
older, electro mechanical meters will be removed from service in
phases. They did this for a couple of reasons. One of which was that
they needed to increase the security of our nation’s mail stream.
Secondly, they needed to protect the USPS revenue flow by preventing
counterfeit postage. This is being done in phases. The first two phases
have already been completed. As 2006 begins, we are approaching the
third phase deadline that affects most meters. |
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Phase 1 |
Mechanical
Meters. This phase retired all mechanical meters.
Completed |
|
| Phase 2 |
Manual reset meters. This phase retired all electronic meters
that needed to be manually reset by a postal employee.
Completed |
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| Phase 3 |
Letter press technology. [Non-Enhanced meters]. This phase
retires all "non-enhanced meters" that use letter press technology
rather than digital printing to print indicia. These meters cannot
be inspected remotely.
This must be completed by December 2006. A
non-enhanced meter refers to a meter that doesn't have a "time out"
feature that automatically disables the meter if not reset within a
specific time period, or when certain preprogrammed criteria are not
met. |
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| Phase 4 |
Letter press technology. [Enhanced meters]. This phase retires
all "enhanced meters" that use letter press technology rather than
digital printing to print indicia. These meters cannot be inspected
remotely. This must be
completed by December 2008. An "enhanced meter" refers
to a meter that does have a "time out" feature that automatically
disables the meter if not reset within a specific time period, or
when certain preprogrammed criteria are not met. |
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