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Postal-sector policy: From monopoly to regulated competition and beyond

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  • Jaag, Christian

Abstract

This paper discusses the main aspects of the competitive and regulatory state of the postal sector. It presents the different models for postal competition and regulation in the EU and the US and their history, together with their implications on regulation, with a focus on universal services and network access. While postal monopolies used to be the main source of funding for universal service obligations, the need for alternative funding sources after full liberalization has increased the interest of regulators and the public in knowing the cost of these obligations. In parallel, new means of electronic communication and consumer needs call the traditional scope of universal services into question. This paper outlines the economic rationale of current policies and directions for future postal regulation to strengthen the postal services' commercial viability in a competitive age, while safeguarding their relevant characteristics for the economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Jaag, Christian, 2014. "Postal-sector policy: From monopoly to regulated competition and beyond," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 266-277.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:juipol:v:31:y:2014:i:c:p:266-277
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jup.2014.03.002
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    Cited by:

    1. Bruno, Giuseppe & Cavola, Manuel & Diglio, Antonio & Piccolo, Carmela & Pipicelli, Eduardo, 2021. "Strategies to reduce postal network access points: from demographic to spatial distribution criteria," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    2. Šarac, Dragana & Unterberger, Marija & Jovanović, Bojan & Kujačić, Momčilo & Trubint, Nikola & Ožegović, Spasenija, 2017. "Postal network access and service quality: Expectation and experience in Serbia," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 69-75.
    3. Christian Jaag & Urs Trinkner & Jeffrey Yusof, 2014. "Assessment of EU Postal Sector Policy during the Second Barroso Administration (2010-2014)," Working Papers 0050, Swiss Economics.
    4. Catríona CAHILL & Dónal PALCIC & Eoin REEVES, 2018. "Striving To Deliver: Commercialization And Performance In Ireland'S Postal Sector," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 89(3), pages 527-542, September.
    5. Malcolm Abbott, 2018. "The long-term performance of a utility: The case of the Australian Post Office," Competition and Regulation in Network Industries, , vol. 19(3-4), pages 137-158, September.
    6. Christian Jaag & Matthias Finger, 2017. "What future for the post office network?," Competition and Regulation in Network Industries, , vol. 18(3-4), pages 153-174, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Postal sector; Universal service obligation; Liberalization; Corporatization; Regulation; Competition;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L52 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Industrial Policy; Sectoral Planning Methods
    • L87 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Postal and Delivery Services

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