Postal operators are well placed to provide certain public services because of their large workforce and physical retail network. Under the European Union’s state aid framework, member states may fund the carrying out of such services of general economic interest (SGEIs) by postal operators. Provisions concerning the funding of the services are usually contained in contracts between the state and the operators.
According to Cullen International’s latest research, postal universal service operators in 13 out of 21 studied countries have been entrusted with public service missions beyond the provision of the universal service.
Thirteen of the studied operators carry out public service obligations which are closely related to postal services. For example, Czech Post is tasked with the maintenance of a digital mailbox for use by public authorities, while Posten Bring is contracted to deliver newspapers in sparsely populated areas.
Other SGEIs commonly entrusted to postal operators include delivering pensions to the homes of the elderly, missions related to the minimum size of the retail network and the processing of national identity documents.
The above are latest findings from our benchmarks on public service obligatios, which form part of Cullen International's Postal service.
For more information and access to the benchmarks, subscribers can click on “Access the full content” - or on “Request access”, in case you are not subscribed to our Postal service.
more news
18 July 25
Spectrum and satellite policy changes among the main regulatory developments in the LATAM telecoms market
Significant regulatory developments have taken place in Latin America (LATAM) in the past three months, affecting in particular spectrum and satellite policies, regulation on wholesale and community networks, and data traffic measures.
18 July 25
10 latest national developments in European telecoms regulation
Cullen International’s latest European Telecoms Updates highlight recent policy developments affecting the regulation of radio spectrum, wholesale networks and consumer protection in certain markets in the region.
16 July 25
Over 50 cases and counting: a snapshot of European antitrust enforcement against big tech
Our latest Antitrust & Mergers report gives a snapshot of the 50+ antitrust cases that have been brought against big tech companies at the EU and national level.