3(1)OFCOM may before the appointed day designate provisionally, with effect from that date, one or more postal operators as universal service providers.U.K.
(2)A provisional designation must be—
(a)notified to the person designated,
(b)published in such manner as OFCOM consider appropriate for bringing it to the attention of the persons who, in their opinion, are likely to be affected by it, and
(c)notified to the European Commission.
(3)Whilst in force a provisional designation has the same effect as designation under section 35.
(4)A provisional designation ceases to have effect on the making of the first designation under that section.