The Impact of the USO on the Profitability of Postal Service Provision in Finland

This study aims at investigating the order of magnitude of financial burden of the universal service obligation for the universal service provider. Prior studies have adopted various different cost accounting methods to assess the order of magnitude of net costs arising from postal universal service provision. This study, instead, uses econometric approach for predicting hypothetical profits that the universal service provider had earned without the universal service obligation, and then calculates the net losses for the firm. The econometric model takes into account the impact of cost efficiency on a firm’s profits and further the universal service provider’s entitlement to reasonable profits on postal markets. The data from the firms active in the postal and courier activities sector in Finland during the years 2005-2012 indicate that the profitability of universal service provider was clearly lower than that of competitors during the sample time period. The annual loss due to the universal service obligation was about 5 – 8 percent of the turnover of the universal service provider.

Julkaisun tietoja

Sarja
ETLA Working Papers 22
Päiväys
20.12.2013
Keywords
universal service obligation, profitability, net cost, postal services
ISSN
2323-2420, 2323-2439
JEL
D22, K20, L50, L87
Sivuja
20
Hinta
15 €
Painoversion saatavuus
Saatavilla
Kieli
Englanti