A Possible Pilot Collaboration between Rural Telecom Providers and the Postal Service

In order to provide new digital services, reduce costs, and improve access, some international postal operators are using hybrid delivery networks that combine traditional physical mail delivery with digital delivery. Such networks allow a postal operator to cut costs by reducing the number of days that it physically delivers mail, while providing customers 24/7 digital access to postal services through computers or handheld devices. The U.S. Postal Service does not currently have such a hybrid physical/digital delivery network. If it decides to pursue one however, the Postal Service will likely face particular challenges in providing adequate service in rural areas. Some rural customers cannot use the Internet as a communications channel, as service in their communities is either unavailable or too costly. This issue brief describes one possible approach to addressing this problem: a partnership between the Postal Service and rural telecommunications companies to establish a digital postal network and ensure adequate digital access in rural areas.