Has digital finally killed off snail mail?
IS THE end of snail mail closer than we thought?
Australia Post this week launched its new "digital mailbox" with Communications Minister Stephen Conroy claiming it had the potential to revolutionise the mail industry.
"For over 200 years, Australia Post has connected Australians with each other and the rest of the world through letters.
They are now embracing the digital world, realising that 21st century technology provides them with exciting opportunities," Senator Conroy said in launching the initiative.
The mailbox has been designed as a closed and secure communications channel, hosted in an Australian "cloud". It will have bank-level security, with all communications being encrypted.
Unlike email, only certified providers will be able to connect to the service, meaning customers can control who they receive communications from.
The Department of Human Services and the Australian Taxation Office are taking part in a proof-of-concept trial of the digital mailbox to see how it can be used to connect to and communicate with Australians about government services.
You can set up a digital mailbox on the Australia Post website.
Australian Post Digital Mailbox will allow people to:
- Connect securely with service providers, including banks, utilities and government entities.
- Receive statements, bills and correspondence.
- Set reminders.
- Make payments using any computer or mobile device using just one password.
- Use the digital mailbox as a personal digital vault to store important documents
