ABSTRACT
In recent times, the postal industry has undergone large changes that are shaped by two major forces; technological progress and altered regulatory frameworks. This paper will show how technological progress is influencing postal services in different, or rather opposing ways, as well as outline changes in the regulatory framework, and the aftermath of the past liberalization process that led to new market structures, whereas the universal service obligation (USO) have aimed to ensure the provision of a socially desired level of service quality or redistribution. The various forces and influences described are strongly interrelated, and may even interfere with other, non-sector-specific regulations, such as competition law. It is suggested that the developments in the postal industry should be viewed as a co-evolution process between technological progress and regulation.
