Mailgram
Encyclopedia
A mailgram is a type of telegraphic
Telegraphy
Telegraphy is the long-distance transmission of messages via some form of signalling technology. Telegraphy requires messages to be converted to a code which is known to both sender and receiver...

 message which is transmitted electronically from the sender to a post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...

 and then printed and delivered to the recipient via postal means.

In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

, the Western Union
Western Union
The Western Union Company is a financial services and communications company based in the United States. Its North American headquarters is in Englewood, Colorado. Up until 2006, Western Union was the best-known U.S...

 Company started mailgram service in 1970. Service via satellite
Communications satellite
A communications satellite is an artificial satellite stationed in space for the purpose of telecommunications...

 was introduced in 1973.

The advantage of mailgrams over postal mail was speed and verifiability of transmission; they were widely used in official notifications and legal transactions. Their advantage over telegrams was lower cost and the ability to send to multiple recipients; with volume discounts, mailgrams became a medium for targeted, high-value advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...

.

Although iTelegram
ITelegram
International Telegram or iTelegram provides telegram service through its international telex/cablegram network. Service began in 1974 after Bahrain Post's exit from the electronic messaging industry. iTelegram is owned by Bahrain Telecom and has head offices in Bahrain and Mexico.-External links:* *...

 still provides mailgram service in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

, Western Union discontinued mailgram and telegram messaging services in 2006.

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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