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Can the International “Postal Service” Survive?

In: Postal Strategies in a Digital and Green Transition

Author

Listed:
  • John Hearn

    (Formerly vice-Chair CERP and Project Manager Postal Regulation ComReg)

Abstract

Over the last decades, letter post volumes in general, and international volumes in particular, have declined significantly. Letter post is no longer the dominant form of commercial and personal communication. Electronic communications and digitalization have usurped the role of the Post. Hearn (2023) proposed specific actions to stop the decline in letter post volumes in national markets, including changes to the existing regulatory requirements and the introduction of a specific consumer right to receive information, invoices, statements, etc., through paper correspondence as standard and without penalty. This chapter examines the challenges in arresting the decline in international letter post. It considers these challenges in detail and whether they can be successfully overcome. Additionally, the divergence in the type of postal services provided, in terms of speed and price, in national markets makes it difficult to offer a coherent international service to all counties.

Suggested Citation

  • John Hearn, 2026. "Can the International “Postal Service” Survive?," Topics in Regulatory Economics and Policy, in: Anna Renata Pisarkiewicz & Timothy J. Brennan & Leonardo Mazzoni & Victor Glass (ed.), Postal Strategies in a Digital and Green Transition, pages 199-214, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:topchp:978-3-032-00502-1_14
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-00502-1_14
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