Swiss Mail Delivery: The Future is Now

Switzerland's not too distant future sees no more physical mail whatsoever.

Even though Swiss Post already offers a scan-to-inbox service today, it is still a luxury for most households. But as subscriber rates increase and mail delivery becomes increasingly expensive due to fuel and labor costs, this service is set to expand.

Europe's increasingly privatized mail services... are leaner and greener than the U.S. service because they work with, not against, the Internet. (Washington Post)

Check out how this latest Swiss innovation works:

• 1. Choose a bland, generic address from a list or subscribe to a vanity address for a fee.
• 2. Subscribe to the Swiss Post Box service and set up your preferences (eg. do you want new mail to be opened and scanned by default, or do you want to make a decision each time?)
• 3. Set up the iPhone app, which will alert you whenever a new piece of mail has been received. Then, either have it scanned and delivered to your inbox electronically or tell them to mail you the physical piece of mail (this comes in handy when you receive that replacement debit card).

What do you think about this service? Would you trust an institution to open and process your private mail, all for the convenience of receiving it anywhere in the world, 24/7?