On the Detection of Market and Intangible Benefits Through Consumer Surveys

Abstract

The 2008/6/CE Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 20 February 2008, states that the net cost of universal service obligations (USO) is to be calculated as the difference between the net cost for a designated Universal Service Provider (USP) operating under USO and that of the same provider operating without USO. The Directive also requires taking into account in the calculation any other relevant elements, including “any intangible and market benefits which accrue to a postal service provider designated to provide universal service”. With the transposition of the Directive into national legislations, Member States are required to implement a mechanism for the calculation of the USO net cost which will fulfill the provisions of the Directive, including an evaluation of the intangible benefits enjoyed by the USP.