The technology also keeps a log of postage use by category, a boon for accountants, and figures postage amounts more accurately and easily, a great benefit for those who ship a high volume. Unfortunately, suspicions have arisen that the government is playing favorites among the companies vying to bring this technology to the market. Such favoritism, if true, could delay the arrival of this technology to desktops and, in this or any other field, can have the effect of driving companies out of a particular market. It can result in a reduction in research and development dollars dedicated to the invention, development and marketing of new products, slowing technological growth. It also results in less price competition, which typically means higher prices.
Consumers lose all around.
Media reports indicated that some members of the Postal Service's Board of Governors were concerned about Runyon's linkup with a company he had just been regulating. Runyon was not the only regulator to join one of the regulated firms. The U.S. Postal Service has every incentive to be as neutral as possible when it comes to this, and any other, new technology, for some believe that, without technological innovation, parts of the Postal Service are destined to become obsolete. Postal officials are now predicting that, despite the growing economy and our growing population, the volume of first class mail will decline in 2003 and every year thereafter. An advantage that is merited if the company has developed new technology or is quicker than business rivals.