The National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications (ANCOM) has adopted the Postal Regulatory Strategy for the period 2026 – 2029. The document aims to consolidate an efficient and predictable regulatory framework that supports the development of a competitive and user-oriented postal sector in a dynamic context marked by accelerated digitalization and the growth of e-commerce. The strategy is available, in Romanian, here.
Developments and prospects in the postal market
Romanians benefit from dynamic and competitive postal services. In the transition to the Gigabit society, paper mail is gradually becoming a niche service, while e-commerce deliveries increasingly meet citizen’s needs and support the continued development of the postal sector.
Parcel traffic has been growing at an accelerated pace and has surpassed correspondence traffic for the first time in 2024. Thus, in 2024, 335 million parcels were recorded, compared to 267 million correspondence items. Furthermore, the pace of investment also intensified, and total revenues from postal services continued to grow, reaching nearly 6.5 billion lei in 2024. If the current growth rates are maintained, the value of the postal sector in Romania is set to exceed the value of the electronic communications sector in 2029-2030.
At European level, the European Commission has initiated the reform of the regulatory framework applicable to postal services and is seeking to modernise the Postal Services Directive and the Regulation on cross-border parcel delivery services to reflect new economic and digital realities. In this context, ANCOM’s Strategy encourages the adaptation of the national framework to emerging market trends, for the benefit of users and the sustainable development of the sector.
ANCOM’s action lines
The Postal Regulation Strategy 2026 – 2029 sets out ANCOM’s main action lines, including measures through which the Authority:
- promotes reforms of the legal framework on postal services, reflecting national specificities and priorities in the context of the reform of the European framework;
- promotes competition in the postal services market using the available tools to diagnose competitive dynamics and monitor the market, so that appropriate solutions can be chosen.
- updates and applies measures to ensure the universal postal service provision framework until 2029. Adapting the universal service to new consumption and delivery models requires a review of the European framework and, subsequently, of the national framework, to reflect the realities of the Gigabit society and ensure fair access to services for all users;
- supports innovative delivery methods, in the context of an increasing volume of goods traffic;
- addresses sector‑specific vulnerabilities, such as the trafficking of illegal goods through postal parcels and the cybersecurity of postal networks;
- implements appropriate tools for mobilising postal services users;
- seizes the opportunities to monitor additional aspects, such as the environmental sustainability of the provision of postal services in Romania.
The 2026 – 2029 strategy reflects ANCOM’s commitment to adapt the regulatory framework to market transformations, so that postal services remain accessible, secure and relevant for users and contribute to the development of a modern and competitive postal sector.