US postal services authorises e-stamps

NEWS The United States Postal Service (USPS) last night authorised the first PC-based franking services. Following months of trials, California-based Stamps.com and E-stamp.com have been given the go-ahead to supply electronic stamps to US consumers. The systems rely on an encrypted barcode, which prints onto an envelope from the PC - and debits an online account for the price of the stamp. PC postage software from Pitney Bowes and Neopost is still under review.