Universal service in the future of the network industries: telecommunications, electricity, postal services.

Summary Universal service is defined as: access for all to basic services at an affordable rate; these services include access to an electricity connection, voice telephony services and a basic postal service. In the last two decades, the conditions for the provision of universal service have changed. The regulatory authorities must set up new ways of organizing this provision. This involves defining and calculating the cost of this provision on the one hand. On the other hand, by studying and setting up new financing methods. The underlying question is to know if it is possible to set up a calculation methodology and a unique financing mode for all the services concerned. In fact, it turns out that if there can be a single cost calculation method, the financing method will have to be adopted according to the regulator's objectives and the constraints imposed by the industry, on a case by case basis.