The study develops a sector-overlapping definition of universal services including the postal and telecommunications sector. In a second step, the financial consequences are modeled.

The financing of universal service provision in the postal sector has traditionally relied on granting the universal service provider a reserved area. Together with growing electronic substitution, current liberalization policies promoting competitive entry may put the traditional universal...

The focus of our paper is on the competitive effects of the proposed VAT regime relative to selected alternatives. We also highlight the welfare effects of various VAT scenarios. While an exempt operator cannot reclaim VAT paid on inputs (relevant for non-labor inputs only) and therefore faces...

There is an increasing convergence between postal products and telecom applications which suggests the need for a co-evolution of regulation. But there is hardly any discussion in academia or in practice about the consequences for regulation. Relevant questions are: Which parts of current...

In this paper we set out a holistic approach that incorporates recent developments in assessing the net cost of the USO and presents a robust methodology for practical implementation. We analyse the issues relating to assessing the net costs of the USO with particular focus on the benefits...

Was ist zu tun, damit der Service public auch in 10 Jahren noch ein Erfolgsmodell sein wird? Der Beitrag versucht diese Frage aus ökonomischer Sicht für die Sektoren Post, Telekommunikation, Medien (Radio/TV), Bahn und Strom zu beantworten.