Technically Colombia doesn't even have one. Those of us who are old enough remember "Adpostal", but like many state-owned companies, incompetence, corruptions and the unions meant that the company was sent into liquidation many years ago. There is now a replacement company, "4-72" (don't ask me what those numbers stand for) but I'd be hard pressed to label them as a "national postal operator". Sure, if you go to their offices you can send a letter around the world for a reasonable price, but most people have never seen a stamp in their lives, much less a post box. I have the impression that they are basically handling the universal service end of the business (i.e. that which doesn't make any money)
Having said that, I have to say that the lack of an official postal company has been far from catastrophic for the country. There are now many "messenger" companies that deliver everything from magazines to bills and "junk-mail" (guess that it's impossible to escape that one). Prices are generally fairly sensible, more expensive than what a "normal" postal service would cost but nowhere even close to what something like DHL would charge.
Of course, in terms of economic efficiency, having competing "networks" does seem to be a waste of effort and resources. And then there's the issue of the provision of Universal Service and cost for a large part of the population who still has a low income and is very price-sensitive.
You have to admire the ingenuity of Colombians for the 'system' (or lack thereof) still to function perfectly well.
By the by, over in Ireland would you believe that they don't even use postcodes. It's a surprising inclusion in the handful of nations that don't use them.
Technically Colombia doesn't even have one. Those of us who are old enough remember "Adpostal", but like many state-owned companies, incompetence, corruptions and the unions meant that the company was sent into liquidation many years ago. There is now a replacement company, "4-72" (don't ask me what those numbers stand for) but I'd be hard pressed to label them as a "national postal operator". Sure, if you go to their offices you can send a letter around the world for a reasonable price, but most people have never seen a stamp in their lives, much less a post box. I have the impression that they are basically handling the universal service end of the business (i.e. that which doesn't make any money)
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I have to say that the lack of an official postal company has been far from catastrophic for the country. There are now many "messenger" companies that deliver everything from magazines to bills and "junk-mail" (guess that it's impossible to escape that one). Prices are generally fairly sensible, more expensive than what a "normal" postal service would cost but nowhere even close to what something like DHL would charge.
Of course, in terms of economic efficiency, having competing "networks" does seem to be a waste of effort and resources. And then there's the issue of the provision of Universal Service and cost for a large part of the population who still has a low income and is very price-sensitive.
You have to admire the ingenuity of Colombians for the 'system' (or lack thereof) still to function perfectly well.
DeleteBy the by, over in Ireland would you believe that they don't even use postcodes. It's a surprising inclusion in the handful of nations that don't use them.