The gains in life expectancy are expected to double the dependency ratio and increase population by 10% in Switzerland until 2050. To quantify the effects on social security and public finances, we use an overlapping generations model with five margins of labor supply: labor market...

Die Höhe der Preise für Konsumgüter in der Schweiz gibt immer wieder und insbesondere aufgrund der aktuellen Frankenstärke zu Diskussionen Anlass. Dies gilt auch und insbesondere für die Briefpreise in der Schweiz. Die Preise im Monopolbereich der Post müssen sich jährlich wiederkehrend...

Driven by market opening and increased competition from electronic communication, postal operators have started extending their scope of business by offering hybrid mail services in addition to physical mail conveyance. This paper discusses commercial and regulatory aspects of reverse hybrid...

This paper argues that transforming the postal business model goes hand in hand with a transformation in the definition of universal service obligation. Whilst postal operators need to fully embrace the unique competitive space created by electronic substitution, at the intersection between the...

The study analyzes the UPU's current termination charge system in the international parcel market referred to as inward land rate system (ILR system). Based on the findings the study develops recommendations for its improvment.

In most member states of the European Union (EU), universal postal services provided by the incumbent operator are exempt from value added taxes (VAT) on the grounds that they are the Òpublic postal service.Ó Other postal service providers have to charge VAT at the standard rate. The paper...

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 the Universal Service Obligation (USO) in network industries has traditionally relied on granting the provider exclusive rights. Full liberalization has created the need for alternative funding mechanisms. This has increased the interest of regulators and the public in...